In May of 2020, the Higher Learning Commission approved Southern Arkansas University to begin offering its first doctoral-level degree.
SAU’s first cohort of doctoral students will begin in August 2021 to pursue the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership.
$400 per credit hour for Fall 2021
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.
SAU announces first doctoral program cohort
Hailing from every corner and 23 counties of Arkansas, plus Louisiana, Missouri, and Vermont, Southern Arkansas University announces the first cohort admitted into the Doctor of Education in Rural and Diverse Educational Leadership program. The 32-member cohort includes a wide range of educational practitioners from school superintendents, university leaders, college and university teaching faculty, building and district-level administrators, and highly experienced classroom teachers.
Incoming doctoral students are focused on the opportunities ahead. Christopher Cross, manager of the emerging Office of Multicultural Student Engagement at St. Charles Community College in St. Louis, MO, applied to the program because he “wants to be able to engage, explore, and learn more about rural and diverse leadership in higher education. I’m interested in learning how diverse leaders can impact small, rural communities across the country and provide a more global understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
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 |
($400 per credit hour for Fall 2021)
