Online Doctoral Program

A Doctorate in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University prepares students for leadership and administrative roles within a variety of educational institutions. While Benedictine has always prided itself on such an important educational program, they felt that with the constant changes and innovations in the way students learn combined with the technological advances in the tools used for learning, there was a great need to review their current program and make necessary adjustments to their EdD program.

The new program is under the supervision of Sunil Chand, Ph.D., who has several years experience as an administrator at several colleges and universities. He is currently working with another BU dean and a professor, both affiliated with Benedictine’s School of Education, on the improvements to the Doctorate in Education program. This process began in February 2009. To request more information on this revamped program, click here.

Under the new program, either through the main campus or online, students work in a “cohort” system, all travelling through the degree program together as a team. This helps to build rapport between the students and create eventual networking opportunities upon graduation. These teams will meet at certain times during the year, approximately 16 times a year or every third weekend. These meetings take place for the first 2 years of the degree program.

Within the first year of the degree program, students build a foundation of knowledge regarding the basics of doctoral study and the aspects of higher education. The second year of the program, doctorate students focus on the current issues in education, and addressing contemporary problems and obstacles in streamlining and maximizing the educational process for students. These including curriculum building, management, teaching and learning. 

While working through the fundamental courses in the first year, students will already begin their dissertation and internship. This will draw out the program to a completion in about 36-42 months. By the third year, students are mostly focused on completing their dissertation.

The new program certainly has revised the way students earn their EdD and hopefully with the new program in place, Benedictine will be helping to educate and train even better and more successful teachers and administrators than ever before.