Evangel University's Education department launched its first doctoral program during the fall 2014 semester, offering an Ed.D. of Educational Leadership in Curriculum & Instruction.

The Missouri university's new Ed.D. program, which was approved by the Higher Learning Commission and requires 48 hours beyond a master's in education, uses the cohort model with a blended delivery of courses -- one online and one seated course per semester.

"The focus of this program is on training educators for the emergence of instructional technology," Dr. Colleen Hardy, education department chair, said in a statement. "In all coursework, use of technology as an instructional tool is emphasized and articulated."

Hardy said the new program was designed with working professionals in mind.

 "We want to help teachers and administrators do their current jobs more effectively, as well as prepare them for future leadership positions," she said.

There are 15 students participating in the first cohort, and the program is expected to take three years to complete.

The degree, which places an emphasis in curriculum and instruction, is expected to provide the education and training for an individual to be a curriculum specialist, an assessment officer, a secondary level department chair, lead administrator in a K-12 school district, or a university professor.

"This program is built around practical, job-related issues in the field of education," said Dr. Gordon Pace, graduate education professor and former superintendent of the Ozark School.

Funds provided by a Cargill Foundation Grant were allocated to develop and launch the Ed.D.