Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership - New England College
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Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership

New England College’s Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership is designed in the cohort model to help you become an expert in your area of interest in a collaborative, supportive team environment with other working professionals.

 

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Virtual Information Session

Please join EdD Program Director, Dr. Gavin Henning, and Graduate Admission Counselors Bliss Clemmer and Amanda Harrington for our upcoming virtual information session where we will discuss our fully online and hybrid options for the Doctor of Education Program, conveniently scheduled for Monday, March 20, at 5:00 p.m. EST.

Please click here to register in advance for this meeting.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

During this session, we will provide an overview of the Hybrid and Online EdD programs and the application process. We will share how our EdD programs can help you address and solve the issues affecting education today and in the future. You will learn how we have designed our programs to be manageable for the working professional. The program overview will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions.

For more information about our programs, please click the links below:

 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Senior Admissions Counselor Bliss Clemmer at bclemmer@nec.edu.

EdD in Pre-K–12 Leadership Overview

The three-year low-residency cohort‐based structure of this program is ideal for working professionals, and the focus on applied research allows participants to have an immediate impact on the quality of education in their work environments.

The Pre-K–12 Leadership track allows participants to develop expertise in specific settings and issues. The program will also engage students, faculty, and other education community members in an integrated inquiry into issues that span our educational systems. This unique combination of deep understanding, expanded vision, and diverse professional networks positions participants for innovative, entrepreneurial leadership in a complex and changing world.

Those students in the Pre-K–12 Leadership track interested in principal or superintendent licensure may combine the EdD requirements with the licensure requirements. Please refer to the program requirements.

Hybrid Delivery

Students will meet during two weekends in each seven‐week course, at the end of the first and sixth weeks. Each summer, the cohort will meet in August to engage in coursework, dissertation development, and comprehensive project development. Participants will display proficiency in meeting the program outcomes through the development of a capstone project, the development of a dissertation proposal, and the completion of the dissertation.

Available Licensures

Students in this track may elect to declare an administrator licensure and take alternate courses and additional licensure-specific courses to meet licensure requirements.

 

Tuition Waivers

Tuition waivers are possible for previous coursework. You may submit transcripts for preliminary review.

Tuition

Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership Program Highlights

Collaborative Flexible  Applicable
Cohort model emphasizes a collaborative, support-driven environment with other professionals. The Pre-K–12 Leadership track of the EdD in Educational Leadership has a flexible three-year, low-residency model and biweekly on-campus student meetings. Begin dissertation work in the program’s first course and apply research immediately in work environments.
Certification
Licensures for School Principal Certification and School Superintendent Certification offered.

Why Earn Your Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership?

Earning an EdD in Educational Leadership at the pre-K–12 level prepares you to pursue a career that transforms education concepts to meet the ever-evolving demands of the student environment. The acumen developed through the program’s curriculum can open up a range of well-paying career paths in which you can directly improve outcomes for schools and districts. Ultimately, these roles can allow you to impact the next generation of students as they make their way through their own educational journeys.

What Can You Learn by Enrolling in a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership Program in Pre-K–12 Education?

In the Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership, you’ll learn to:

  • Identify and articulate implications of contemporary issues for higher education administration
  • Apply administrative, leadership, and management practices to the variety of organizational structures found in diverse institutions of higher education
  • Employ a broad range of higher education resources and scholarship in program planning, implementation, and assessment
  • Connect theory to practice, applying course learn­ing to professional work experiences
  • Make data-informed decisions and recommenda­tions related to professional practice
  • Develop and hone effective personal and organizational leadership skills
  • Effectively advise and help students in both individual and group settings
  • Develop skills and knowledge required to work with diverse individuals and organizations and foster inclusive communities
  • Demonstrate effective and inclusive written and oral communication skills
  • Think critically to identify, strategize, and solve issues within higher education
  • Pursue professional opportunities that best align with your personal interests

What Can You Do with a Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership?

An EdD in Educational Leadership degree can prepare you to confidently pursue a dynamic array of fulfilling careers that take an advanced role in improving education. These well-paying roles can help you develop educational impacts that can last a lifetime.
School Principal (Approximate Median Annual Pay as of May 2021) 

$98,420*

 Education Consultant (Approximate Median Annual Pay as of December 2022)

$63,000**

 Instructional Coordinator (Approximate Median Annual Pay as of September 2022)

$62,000**
*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

**Payscale

Why Choose NEC?

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.

NEC offers 60 associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as more than 20 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree program, all delivered by dedicated faculty focused on giving students opportunities to live what they learn. With access to many clubs, outdoor activities, natural areas, internships, and professor-led trips, NEC students have many ways to meet new people and try new things.

At NEC, the world is your classroom.

Find Out More

Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership Degree Requirements

K-12 Leadership, Ed.D.

Download Course Requirements

K-12 Leadership Requirements

(60 credits)

Faculty

  • Dr. Debra Nitschke-Shaw

    EdD Professor Debra Nitschke-Shaw

    Senior Professor, Education
    Office: Henniker Campus
    Phone: 603.428.2322
    Email: dnitschke@nec.edu

    Expertise and Awards
    NEC Tenure

    • Senior Professor of Education, 2016 to present
      Professor of Education, 2000–2016
    • Associate Professor of Education, 1997–2000
    • Assistant Professor of Education, 1991–1997
    • Instructor in Education, 1985–1991

     

    Awards

    • Campus Compact Faculty Service Award, April 2007
      Ehrlich Award, one of 10 finalists, 2002
    • New England College Alumni Award, 2000
    • New England College Teacher of the Year, 1999
    • Campus Compact for New Hampshire Faculty Service-Learning Award, 1998

     

    Educational Background
    PhD in Human Development, Special Education, Fielding Graduate University
    MA in Human Development, Fielding Graduate University
    Specialist in the Assessment of Intellectual Functioning (SAIF) Certification, Rivier College
    MEd in Special Education: Developmental Disabilities and Learning Disabilities, Keene State College
    BA in Elementary Education and General Special Education, New England College

    Research Interests

    • Teacher Education
    • Service-learning and community service
    • Teacher leadership
    • Working with students with diverse needs
    • Qualitative research
    • Evaluation of effective teaching

     

    Bio
    Debra came to New England College as a student in 1971 and graduated in 1975. At that time, NEC did not have a certification in special education. She worked with the Director of Teacher Education and the New Hampshire State Department of Education to create the special education licensure program and get it approved by the Bureau of Credentialing in the State of New Hampshire. After graduation, she taught students with special needs at the Dame School in Concord, New Hampshire, and later taught kindergarten at the same school and at the Henniker Community School. Throughout her tenure teaching special education and kindergarten students, she hosted a number of student-teachers and taught as an adjunct faculty member at NEC. In 1985, she became a full-time Instructor at NEC, teaching courses in special education, reading, assessment, language arts, and curriculum and instruction. She supervised many students in the field as her passion is to help individuals become the best teachers they can be

    She has held many positions at NEC, including Director of Academic Advising; Interim Director of Academic Advising and the Support Center; Director of the Project Pericles Grant; Dean of Undergraduate Programs and Faculty; Chair of Knowledge, Growth, and Action Collegium; Director of Teacher Education; Director of Graduate Programs in Education; Director of Teacher Certification and Field Placement; and Associate Dean of Education. She, along with Dr. Carlton Fitzgerald and Dr. Bill Preble, helped create NEC’s doctoral program. Debra’s passion is working with individuals who want to help students be successful in all they do. She is also passionate about helping doctoral students develop their dissertations; her focus is on qualitative research. She thoroughly enjoys helping doctoral candidates create their research questions, develop their research methodologies, collect data that helps them answer their questions, and complete their dissertations. She is the dissertation chair for many NEC doctoral students.

    She has been a consultant for Campus Compact of New Hampshire in the work they did regarding partnership development and the integration of service-learning into higher education and K–12. She has received a number of grants to support that work. In addition, throughout the United States and in New Hampshire, she presented at national conferences and provided professional development helping educators in kindergarten through higher education develop courses that include service-learning as a pedagogy. She is committeed to helping others see the power service has and how individuals can meet academic goals through service to others.

  • Dr. Gavin Henning

    Professor, Higher Education; Director of MS in Higher Education Administration and Doctorate of Education Programs
    Office: CEI 205, Henniker Campus
    Phone: 603.428.2444
    Email: ghenning@nec.edu
    Professional website: gavinhenning.com

    Expertise and Memberships

    Awards
    2023 George D. Kuh Outstanding Contribution to Literature and/or Research Award from NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education

    Expertise

    • National expert on assessment in higher education, specialty in student affairs assessment
    • Past president of ACPA-College Student Educators International
    • Past president of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education
    • Founding president of Student Affairs Assessment Leaders, an international grassroots professional association for individuals practicing student affairs assessment

     

    Published Books

     

    Educational Background
    PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of New Hampshire
    MA in Sociology, University of New Hampshire
    MA in College and University Administration, Michigan State University
    BA in Psychology and Sociology, Michigan State University

    Research Interests

    • Assessment
    • Equity-centered assessment
    • Sense of belonging
    • Retention/persistence

     

    Bio
    Gavin is a college student educator with a reputation as an organizer, collaborator, and catalyst for educational change. His professional mission is to generate applied scholarship, bridge theory to practice, create systems and processes, and teach higher education professionals to foster college student learning and success. He has advanced this mission during his 20+ years in higher education in positions including professor, assessment practitioner, and student affairs educator. In his current positions at NEC, Gavin helps prepare the next generation of professionals to improve educational organizations. Gavin frequently consults and presents regionally, nationally, and internationally on the topic of assessment. His scholarship includes over 100 peer-reviewed presentations and over 90 invited presentations and keynotes regarding assessment. In addition, he has published articles and books on assessment including Student Affairs Assessment: Theory and Practice with Darby Roberts that serves as the foundational text for assessment courses in many higher education graduate programs. He has been recognized for his contributions to student affairs and higher education by receiving ACPA’s Annuit Coeptis award and Diamond Honoree awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership program?

NEC’s Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership is designed to be completed in three years.

 

How is the Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership program structured?

The Pre-K–12 Leadership Doctor of Education features a cohort-based structure with one on-campus class and one online class each term.

What are the benefits of a Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership?

Earning an EdD in educational leadership prepares individuals to promote change and progress in education at both an institutional and district level from a leadership standpoint via well-paying career paths.

 

How can I enroll in the Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership program?

To apply for the Doctor of Education in Pre-K–12 Leadership program, individuals must provide a résumé, transcripts, a personal essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Application Requirements

Prepare to Lead

Earning a Doctor of Education at NEC does more than prepare you for an advanced career path. It gives you the knowledge and skills needed to shape educational strategies to meet students’ dynamic needs. Learn how we can prepare you to make a positive impact in a critical field.

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