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College of Education now offering a Ph.D.
The Columbia International University College of Education made an important move in 2014 when the Doctor of Education
(Ed.D.) program was retitled to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program.
Dr. Brian Simmons, the Ph.D. program director, says at the inception of the College of Education’s doctoral program in 2004, it was
implemented as a Doctor of Education for accreditation purposes, but the plan had always been for the program to eventually be
offered as a Doctor of Philosophy.
“The Doctor of Education program was originally designed as a Doctor of Philosophy program with comprehensive exams,
portfolios, and a dissertation that makes a contribution to the scholarly literature,” Simmons said. “So when doctoral graduates
did Ed.D. work, they were already doing the work for a Ph.D.”
Simmons also says changing the Ed.D. to a Ph.D. positions CIU as a frontrunner in the field of educational leadership.
“This newly retitled degree prepares graduates, for leadership roles in K-12 education, higher education, curriculum, theological
education, and other education related fields,” Simmons said.
The 34 graduates of the College of Education’s doctoral program circle the globe from Australia to California. Currently, 30
students are enrolled, studying under a dozen full-time and adjunct professors, whose combined experience equals over 450
years in K-12 administration, higher education administration, and higher education teaching positions.
Meanwhile, CIU graduates who hold the Ed.D. degree are encouraged to contact CIU’s registrar to have their degree changed to a Ph.D.
“The Ph.D. is recognized as the best terminal degree for educational leaders,” Simmons said. “No matter what your ministry path
is, the Ph.D. will stand you in good stead.”
ACADEMICS
Dr. Brian Simmons is the program director of the
College of Education’s Ph.D. program.
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ACADEMICS
CIU Today
Winter 2016