Doctor of Education

Doctor of Education Overview

NEC’s Doctor of Education offers three programs:

• Pre-K–12 Leadership
• Higher Education Administration
• Educational Leadership

The Pre-K–12 Leadership and Higher Education programs are hybrid, beginning in July each year with monthly on-campus residencies in Henniker, NH. The Educational Leadership program is 100% online and begins each year in January.

Real EdD Graduates Tell Their Stories

New England College’s Doctor of Education (EdD) program offers a collaborative, supportive cohort of working professionals. We’ve interviewed a number of graduates so you can learn more about what it’s like to study for your EdD at NEC. Watch these interviews to hear some of our Doctor of Education program graduates talk about their experience first-hand.

Why Choose NEC’s Doctor of Education?

Make a difference.

If you want to make a difference in your organization and the lives of the students you support, one of NEC’s Doctor of Education programs is for you. Through your NEC doctoral journey, you will become a more confident and capable writer, researcher, and scholar while developing the skills and knowledge to address current educational issues and solve problems that have yet to exist. You will be a different person as you cross the commencement stage than when you started the program.

“My experience was transformative in that I grew as a professional and person. The program allowed me to question the answers, achieve academic success, and position myself as a leader—who belongs at any higher ed table.”
—Jill Bassett, Class of 2019

“The coursework and academic experience also led me to a different educational passion, away from a sole focus in student affairs and towards a multidisciplinary focus on student success, access, completion, and overall educational equity.”
—Catherine Welch, Class of 2019

“I learned how much I love doing research and look forward to completing future projects sparked by my dissertation.”
—Jim Whitaker, Class of 2021

Immediately apply what you learn.

You will immediately apply what you learn in your classes to your professional life.

“I am grateful for my experience in the EdD program. Just about every reading, discussion, and assignment directly connected to the work I was doing in my school. The projects I did for courses were things that I needed to tackle for my job. I appreciated the praxis.”
—Jacqueline Coe, Class of 2014

Learn from supportive faculty.

The doctoral programs are guided by supportive, compassionate scholar-practitioner faculty who are leaders in their field and understand that students are often adult learners juggling multiple work, home, and life responsibilities.

“The professors were experts in their own field and demonstrated a passion and dedication on the subjects they taught. The guidance I received motivated me to do my best in every course.”
—Marie Ortaliz, Class of 2014

“I was looking for a program that would be manageable in balancing with my professional and personal commitments. I quickly learned that whenever I felt anxious about the next class or step in the dissertation process, there was a well-established process and to trust the program. When I had a family issue and got a few weeks behind, I felt completely supported by the faculty and they helped me stay on track. Throughout the process, faculty and committee chairs were available to help when I had questions during a course or the research and writing process.”
—Kristie Baldwin, Class of 2021

“I knew from the beginning that my advisor was invested in my success and gently pushed me to go beyond the expectations I set for myself.”
—Jennifer Wegner, Class of 2017

“The biggest strength of the NEC EdD program is the faculty. Having faculty members who are not only invested in your research but invested in your life and growth as a person is irreplaceable. Every step of the way, you can turn to your faculty members to help you research, network, and study.”
—Malia Minnick, Class of 2021

Start your dissertation sooner.

The program is designed to allow students to begin working on their dissertation in the very first course, and subsequent courses include assignments that help students further explore their dissertation topic, build a literature base for the topic, and allow them to practice applying different research methodologies to their research question before committing to one approach.

“The program structure is scaffolded and allows students to begin working on their dissertation and research from the very beginning of the program. This is so helpful in making the process digestible to students, and for me it helped me to not be overwhelmed—but instead to look back and be proud of all I have already done, which gave me confidence for the next steps.”
—Josh Hartman, Class of 2022

Form relationships in the cohort model.

One of the consistently mentioned strengths of the programs is the cohort model. Each student brings a unique set of experiences, knowledge, and expertise that contributes to the learning environment. As students progress through each course together, they build mutually supportive bonds that are vital when academic, personal, or professional challenges arise.

“Overall, it was one of the best experiences and memories of my life. To be in a cohort with like-minded colleagues who were from a variety of professions was extremely enriching and nurturing and was so helpful to me at that time of my life. The campus was intimate, and the program was very student-centered. I felt like coming to class on the monthly weekends during the first year was an escape from my regular life and quite doable. When I had my medical setback, my faculty and cohort were extremely supportive and committed to my success.”
—Molly Spring, Class of 2015

“I made friends for life. I could not have finished without the support of my cohort and professors.”
—Anne Ouewekerk, Class of 2017

Earn your doctorate while living your life.

NEC’s doctoral programs are demanding and rigorous but “do-able,” even when juggling multiple responsibilities. This is possible because of the scaffolded curriculum, caring faculty, and encouraging cohort.

“I earned my EdD while working full-time as a teacher, then as a CTE Director. I also became pregnant and gave birth while enrolled. In addition to earning my EdD, I also became a certified principal/vice principal. While a student, I published my research and thoughts and received tremendous support and encouragement from the staff, students, and program director.”
—Amanda Bastoni, Class of 2019

“I was 58 when I graduated, and many of my friends and colleagues thought I was crazy to pursue my doctorate at that age. NEC made it enjoyable, worthwhile, and doable.”
—Austin Garofalo, Class of 2016

Program Outcomes

• Identify and address critical and contemporary issues in educational policy and practice.
• Incorporate knowledge, theory, and research to improve professional practice.
• Demonstrate effective and inclusive written and oral communication skills.
• Create strategies and interventions to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational organizations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of administrative, leadership, and management practices and structures found in diverse institutions of education.
• Demonstrate skills to work effectively with others, be advocates for members of the learning community, and lead organizational change and reform.
• Articulate a personal philosophy of professional practice and a vision for educational organizations which is responsive to societal challenges of complexity, diversity, and social justice.
• Identify and apply various pedagogical approaches that maximize learning.
• Use data to inform evidence-based decision-making regarding educational issues, enhance professional practice, and promote organizational change and reform.
• Demonstrate information and research literacy incorporating a broad range of education resources and scholarship.
• Design and conduct independent and collaborative research.
• Apply a critical theory lens to self-reflection and research to address issues of power, positionality, and ethics.