$400 per credit hour
“The Ed.D. program at SAU has opened a lot of doors for me both personally and professionally. The faculty do an outstanding job of linking everyone together and creating opportunities for everybody to get to know each other.”
CTE Director, Responsive Education Solutions
Little Rock, AR
About the program
The launch of the Ed.D. in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership comes at a critical time for Arkansas and for rural America. Educators and community leaders who serve rural and diverse communities face sharply changing demographics, reduced populations, and economic upheaval as industries relocate and rural manufacturing continues to decline. These challenges affect schools and students at every educational level from preschool to graduate school, as well as the community organizations that serve them.
The newly approved SAU Ed.D. program provides advanced training in research and practice for professionals holding or seeking leadership positions in rural schools, colleges and universities, and community and government agencies.
Program Focus Areas
- Teacher Leadership
- Superintendency Leadership
- Higher Education & Community Leadership
Southern Arkansas University is excited to welcome the 2024 Cohort into the Doctor of Education in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership program. This year’s cohort consists of 38 diverse professionals who bring a wealth of experience across K-12 education, higher education, and specialized organization and community leadership roles. Students represent not only Arkansas but six other states, with 30% coming from outside the state lines. These states include Alaska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, and West Virginia.
The 2024 cohort includes a wide array of educational professionals, including higher education administrators, K-12 principals, assistant superintendents, instructional specialists, and faculty members. Each student brings unique expertise to the program, reflecting a shared commitment to transforming education in rural and diverse communities.
Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership Ed.D. Plan of Study
With a unique lens focused toward the needs of rural and diverse schools and communities, the curriculum is intended for those who serve, and will serve, in leadership roles in education-related professions.
Together, learners will grow in understanding and application of theory, research and leadership practice across educational settings including K-12, community colleges, universities, and community organizations.
Summary
Foundational Courses | 24 |
Focus Area Courses | 15 |
Elective Courses | 06 |
Comprehensive Exam | 03 |
Dissertation | 12 |
Total Credit Hours | 60 |
Program Contact
Angela Stanford, Ed.D., NBCT
Director, Ed.D. in Rural & Diverse Educational Leadership