A&M-Texarkana Announces Education Doctoral Program

Texas A&M University-Texarkana will experience another milestone in 2016 with the introduction of the university’s first-ever doctoral program.

The Doctor of Education in Education Leadership – or Scholars of Practice program – is a practitioner’s degree, meaning the degree will prepare educators for education leadership roles and enhance their opportunities for landing highly competitive jobs.

“We are proud to bring the long-time vision of our faculty and staff to fruition through the diligent efforts of many here at A&M-Texarkana,” said Dr. Emily Cutrer, president. “All of the components have come together and will allow us to offer an exceptional doctoral program to meet the demands of the education leaders in Texarkana and the surrounding areas.”

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Education Leadership is designed with an emphasis on PK-12 public school administration. Graduates of the doctoral program often pursue leadership positions in schools, districts, and state agencies. The program includes a hybrid format, offering face-to-face and online classes.

Coursework includes preparation in foundations of educational administration, governance of educational organizations, advanced organizational behavior, research methods, administration of instructional programs, program evaluation for school leaders, ethics and philosophy, economics of education, and dynamics of change.

Doctoral program applicants for programs in PK-12 education leadership have generally completed a master's degree in educational administration and principal certification coursework; however, individuals who work for or who are interested in working for agencies and organizations that work with PK-12 education also are encouraged to consider the program.

The Education Leadership department encourages applications from candidates with strong academic achievement and scholarship ability, leadership abilities, and commitment to education.

Because of the growth that the Texarkana campus is experiencing and the demand for education leadership jobs in the area, this announcement comes at a good time for the university.

“The northeast Texas region is significantly under represented by education leaders with a doctoral degree.  Only 3.3 percent hold a doctorate, as compared to 6 percent statewide,” said Dr. Rosanne Stripling, provost and vice president for academic and student affairs. “A&M-Texarkana’s Scholars of Practice doctoral program will provide future and current education leaders in the four-states area access to high quality doctoral level professional development and credentialing; thereby increasing their success in current and future jobs—local and beyond.”

Earlier this year, A&M-Texarkana partnered with the Region 8 Education Service Center to offer the Bill Ratliff Superintendent Certification Program. This program is a superintendent preparation program that satisfies the State of Texas requirement for superintendent certification and focuses on the leadership domains established by the State Board of Educator Certification Superintendent Certification. Students may choose to apply to take school superintendent certification courses while pursuing the doctoral degree.

Region 8—in its 13-year history—has served 350 students from over 150 school districts. This partnership expands the services of A&M-Texarkana into the Region 8 service area, and, in turn, the program serves as an introduction to the new doctoral program.

“The doctoral degree in Education Leadership is the result of strong community support, dedicated faculty and visionary leadership,” said Dr. Glenda Ballard, dean of the College of Education and Liberal Arts. “This represents yet another opportunity to serve the needs of students in our region.”

The deadline for submitting admission application packets is March 16, 2016. Interviews will be conducted March 21-April 15, 2016, and notification of admission will be April 15-May 1, 2016.

For more information, visit tamut.edu or contact Dr. Amy Burkman, assistant professor of Education Leadership in the College of Education and Liberal Arts, at Amy.Burkman@tamut.edu.