Jul 27, 2015 05:42 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Doane College is launching a new doctoral program in Education next fall, school officials announced.

The school already offers two master's degree programs and an educational specialist degree program, but now education majors will now have the opportunity to get their doctorates through Doane College.

"The education doctorate of Doane distinguishes itself from other education doctorate or doctorate programs by being the most student-centered program in our state and in our region," Dr. Doug Christensen, professor of practice in Doane's Master of Education in Educational Leadership program, said in a statement. "True to our mission, we focus on both the content of the education doctorate professional but also on developing the disposition of a leader."

The new doctoral program will aim to offer the highest education degree attainable for professional educators. It will also cater to those teaching outside of the K-12 system at postsecondary institutions like community colleges, four-year institutions and nonprofits.

Doane students pursuing teacher education degrees can now get their bachelor's, master's and doctorate all at one school.

"I think that, regionally, it's so fantastic to have a specialized option," said Dr. Cate Sommervold, director of the education doctorate program. "There aren't a lot of doctoral programs. Big universities have them, but to have it in this atmosphere, with this type of one-to-one relationship, is really unique."

Once the program is up and running, Sommervold will work to create partnerships with current Doane faculty to enhance students' learning while establishing an inclusive learning community.

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