Teacher Preparation

U Phoenix To Offer Online Doctoral Program for Ohio Educators

• By Michael Hart
• 09/22/15

The University of Phoenix will now offer a special doctorate in education specifically for teachers in Ohio.

The university's School of Advanced Studies will partner with the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) to offer the online Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership.

The program will be flexible in terms of time commitment at the same time it provides opportunities for students to collaborate with colleagues in their areas. The target audience is expected to be principals, teachers and administrators who work in Ohio's K-12 schools.

"Through this unique doctoral program, students have the opportunity to pursue research that's relevant and applicable to the challenges of today's classrooms and school districts," said University of Phoenix School of Advanced Studies Executive Dean Hinrich Eylers.

The program will replicate real-world challenges that educators must cope with by way of online courses and independent research. It will focus on the values of diversity, academic integrity and essential competencies. Its template will be the School of Advanced Studies' Scholar-Practitioner-Leader model with emphasis on the combination of theory, practice and leadership.

"We're proud to provide Ohio educators with the skills and support needed to advance in their profession, while providing the flexibility to maintain ongoing professional responsibilities, including student development and meeting classroom needs," said Craig Burford, executive director of OESCA, which provides professional development and coordinates lobbying efforts on behalf of the state's educators.