Boston-based Northeastern University is now offering a third doctoral degree program through its Charlotte campus. The UNC Board of Governors approved a doctoral degree in education last week, making it the school's third doctoral degree. The first two -- in nursing and physical therapy -- were approved in May. They were the first to be approved for a university not based in North Carolina. Cheryl Richards is the CEO and dean of the Charlotte campus. She says a doctor of education or EdD is different from a PhD because it's not focused on research.
"It's really about taking problems of practice that we face as educators across the nation and addressing those by applying a theoretical lens," Richards says.
Richards says there are no plans to add a PhD program in education because they are trying to attract working professionals – teachers, administrators and principals – who want a mix of online and classroom instruction. The school also offers 15 masters programs. The doctor of education program is set to begin early next year.
