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New Online Doctoral Degree Programs – June 2020

While fully online doctoral degree programs are not as common as online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, several accredited schools have recently announced the launch of new online programs that confer doctoral degrees. Among these schools are Concordia University, St. Paul; the University of Findley; Anderson University; Rivier University; and the University of North Dakota (UND). These new doctoral programs include Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in kinesiology, school psychology, leadership, and indigenous health.

Concordia University, St. Paul – Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Kinesiology Program

Concordia University, St. Paul, a non-profit private school that is part of the multi-state Concordia University System, has announced that it will be offering an online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Kinesiology program starting this fall. The program consists of 49 credits of graduate coursework, including courses that cover topics in applied kinesiology research, medical aspects of exercise and disease prevention, and cardiovascular, physiological, psychological, and nutritional aspects of health, fitness, and exercise. In addition, students in the program must complete a 12-credit doctoral dissertation. The program is designed for students who have completed a master’s or a doctoral program.

University of Findlay – Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in School Psychology Program

The University of Findlay, a private, non-profit school located in the northwestern Ohio city of Findlay, has launched an online Doctor of Education (EdD) in School Psychology program that accepted its first cohort of students in May of this year. The four-year program does not require applicants to hold a master’s degree and is instead designed to provide students who hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree with the training required to become a licensed school psychologist in Ohio. All of the programs didactic coursework is offered online. However, students are required to attend a three-day summer institute at the University of Findlay’s campus and to complete a semester-long supervised internship in school psychology. The program, which has received approval from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, intends to seek accreditation from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) upon the graduation of its first class in 2024.

Anderson University – Online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Leadership Program

South Carolina’s Anderson University, a non-profit private university affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, has introduced a new online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Leadership program. The program is designed for working professionals who hold a master’s degree and who are seeking advanced leadership training for business, government, ministry, and non-profit sector work. Students in the program can choose to pursue a Business track or a concentration in Christian Ministry. The 48-credit curriculum, which includes coursework in organizational structures, leadership strategies, team development, and organizational change, can be completed in a few as 24 months. The program does not require any campus visits.

Rivier University – Online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Learning Program

Rivier University, a non-profit private university located in Nashua, NH, is currently accepting applicants for the inaugural cohort of its new online Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership and Learning program. The program is designed for teachers and educators who have a master’s degree and a minimum of three years of relevant professional experience. The 51-credit program consists of 19 courses, including a doctoral dissertation and three campus-based immersion sessions. These requirements can be completed in three years. Students in the program take coursework in human growth and development, theories of teaching and learning, culturally competent leadership, and quantitative and qualitative research in education and social sciences.

The University of North Dakota (UND) – Online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Indigenous Health Program

The School of Medicine & Health Sciences at the University of North Dakota (UND), a public research university located in Grand Forks, has launched an online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Indigenous Health program that is enrolling its inaugural cohort this summer. The 60-credit program, which is the first of its kind in the country, focuses on the unique health issues faced by Native American and indigenous populations in other parts of the world. Students in the program can choose to pursue an academic track, which is designed to lead to research and teaching positions at the university level, or an applied track, which prepares students to work with indigenous communities in the public health sphere. While most of the program’s coursework is delivered via online instruction, students are required to attend two week-long campus-based learning sessions per year. The program has an expected completion time of three years.