By Jillian Baker

Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education of Governors approved KU to grant a doctorate for education in transformational teaching and learning on April 7.

“I think it’s a great idea to extend our doctoral program to the college of education,” said Anthony Jardel, junior middle level math and science education major.

Jardel hopes to get his master’s and doctorate in education after he graduates. “It’s the perfect opportunity for students who want to further their studies in the already prestigious program here at KU.”

KU’s accrediting body, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, also had to approve this decision.

KU’s College of Education programs are nationally accredited through the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.

According to a KU press release, the program is designed for classroom teachers with a master’s degree and wish to become a practitioner-scholar. This doctoral program is designed for the career educator, the individual who envisions their career as a lifelong

practitioner-scholar in the classroom, working with children and adults to improve lives. Students will attend the doctorate program in groups and finish in three years.

Kady Wuagon, a junior elementary education major, will be graduating in spring of 2017. She will be able to teach grades four through eight with concentrations in math and social studies. “I think it’s a great opportunity for current education majors to continue their education while working with the same professors they have gotten to know and enjoy during their career,” said Wuagon.

Wuagon plans on getting her master’s and her doctorate later on.

“This is another great accomplishment in the long and storied history of our institution, which is rooted in education,” said President Hawkinson.

“For the past 150 years, we have prepared outstanding teachers at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The new doctoral degree is another strong validation for our college of education, and promotes the university’s vision of providing opportunities for advanced academic experiences,” said Hawkinson.

“This degree was the vision of Dr. Darrell Garber, former dean of the college of education, who retired in December and passed away March 29 after a courageous battle with cancer,” said Dr. Anne Zayaitz, acting provost and vice president of Academic and Student Affairs.

“We are so pleased that this has come to fruition and it stands as a testament to his hard work and dedication to KU, our students and all those who teach,” said Zayaitz.

Theresa Stahler, chair of the KU department of secondary education, said, “This is so exciting for our faculty, students and many alumni who are associated with the rich history of the education program at KU. I want to thank the university administration, the faculty and our late dean, Dr. Darrell Garber, for all of their support in making this a reality.”

KU’s faculty and student body are thrilled to have this doctorate offered as an opportunity to continue education.

This is KU’s second doctoral program that has been approved. In March 2015, the Board of Governors approved a doctorate degree in social work, a joint degree between KU and Millersville University.