Evangel University Successfully Launches First Doctoral Program

Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, launched its first doctoral program during the fall 2014 semester, offering an Ed.D. of Educational Leadership in Curriculum & Instruction.

“The focus of this program is on training educators for the emergence of instructional technology,” said Dr. Colleen Hardy, education department chair. “In all coursework, use of technology as an instructional tool is emphasized and articulated.”

Evangel’s new Ed.D. program is approved by the Higher Learning Commission and requires 48 hours beyond a master’s in education. It uses the cohort model with a blended delivery of courses—one online and one seated course per semester.

According to Hardy, the new program is designed with working professionals in mind.

“We want to help teachers and administrators do their current jobs more effectively, as well as prepare them for future leadership positions,” she said.

There are 15 students participating in the first cohort, and the program is expected to take three years to complete.

Career Paths

“This program is built around practical, job-related issues in the field of education,” said Dr. Gordon Pace, gradate education professor and former superintendent of the Ozark School District.

With an emphasis in curriculum and instruction, the degree would provide the education and training for an individual to be a curriculum specialist, an assessment officer, a secondary level department chair, lead administrator in a K-12 school district or a university professor.

Local Benefits

Although students only attend class one night per week, Hardy said there is value for local teachers in having access to Evangel’s campus and faculty.

“Many doctoral programs require you to travel for coursework and for individual meetings with course instructors,” Hardy said. “Here, we are able to offer a central location and ease of access to professors that I believe serves our students well.”

Funds provided by a Cargill Foundation Grant were allocated to develop and launch the Ed.D.

“Although doctoral programs are offered through our embedded Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, the education department is the first Evangel University academic department to provide bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees,” said Hardy.

“Through coursework and a comprehensive assessment system, we are focused on developing competent, caring and committed educators who will shape the future,” she said.

To learn more about Evangel’s graduate programs, contact Dr. Matt Stringer at (417) 865-2811, ext. 8563 or [email protected].

Evangel is a comprehensive Christian university with a seminary, located in Springfield, Missouri, and draws more than 2,000 students from all 50 states. The focus of Evangel is to educate young people for leadership positions in schools, business, government, church and home, through a commitment to the integration of faith, learning and life. Evangel offers 65 undergraduate majors and, with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, a variety of master’s and doctoral degrees.