National College of Education

 

 

Curriculum and Social Inquiry (CSI)

National Louis University's Doctorate of Education in Curriculum and Social Inquiry program is designed to prepare high-level scholar-practitioners to provide leadership in curriculum in a multitude of educational settings. The program emphasizes engagement in processes of critical reflection about issues of curriculum in relation to a variety of educational environments and society. The Curriculum and Social Inquiry program is founded on the belief that curriculum is best understood not simply in terms of classrooms and schools, but as connected to larger social, cultural, political and historical contexts. Processes of critical reflection are characterized by the identification of complex problems and issues, intellectual engagement with a broad range of ideas and perspectives, the valuing of personal experience and a sense of teaching and curriculum as a political and cultural struggle.

Disability and Equity in Education (DEE)

The DEE program is designed for individuals interested in exploring the historical, political, social, cultural and philosophical values, beliefs and processes that have constructed disability in education. The interdisciplinary nature of this program opens up the possibilities for inquiry into theoretical, practical and/or policy studies. The program encourages activism that envisions and creates equitable educational communities. It prepares individuals for continued practice as teachers and educational leaders, or for roles in teacher Education, community leadership or disability-related policy. Minor concentrations include: curriculum and social inquiry, reading and language, language and literacy, educational leadership, educational psychology and technology and education.

Educational Leadership (EDL)

The National Louis Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership is a three-year, advanced practitioner-oriented professional preparation program for school district or system leaders. Though it officially targets certification for the superintendency, the Educational Leadership program prepares leaders for a variety of roles in schools, districts, charter organizations, technical assistance organizations, policy and political organizations, and government. There are two options for students admitted to the EdD Educational Leadership (EDL) Doctoral Program.

• Option One:  Students seeking the superintendent’s endorsement. Students choosing option one must hold an Illinois Type 75, Wisconsin Type 51, or other state-approved principal’s certification upon admission.
  
  
• Option Two: Students not seeking the superintendent’s endorsement. Students choosing option two may be admitted without a principal certification. However, this option does not lead to certification, either principal or superintendent, upon completion of the program.

Educational Psychology (EDP)

• Concentration in School Psychology
  The concentration in School Psychology program is built on the scientist-practitioner model and prepares individuals to work as psychologists in schools and other educational settings, to engage in research, to pursue clinical work in schools or other clinical settings and to pursue academic teaching posts. Individuals completing this option and participating in the Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium (ISPIC) internship may be eligible to apply to sit for the Illinois Clinical Psychology licensing examination. In addition to the doctoral level coursework required in all NCE doctoral programs and the departmental core courses, students must complete all coursework required for School Psychology certification. Students who have completed an Ed.S. in School Psychology may be able to apply coursework from the Ed.S. to the School Psychology Doctoral Program.

• Concentration in Human Learning and Development
  The concentration in Human Learning and Development program is designed to prepare individuals for leadership and research positions in a broad range of educational settings, universities and continuing education programs for children, adolescents and adults. Throughout the program, students critically reflect upon theory, research and practice related to learning and development across the life span. In addition to the doctoral level coursework required in all NCE doctoral programs and the departmental core courses, students will complete a set of electives in line with their individual developmental needs in the doctoral program. Individuals whose undergraduate and master’s degrees are not in psychology may be required to complete psychology course prerequisites in addition to the program requirements for all NCE doctoral students.

Reading and Language (R&L)

The doctoral program in Reading and Language is designed to prepare graduates for literacy leadership positions beyond K-12 settings, advanced clinical work, or college teaching.  It is distinguished by a close blending of theoretical and practical courses and experiences so that graduates are to be prepared as professionals with the competence to make a difference in their professional roles. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program is designed for students who wish to do advanced level work without undertaking the dissertation.  Prior coursework and professional experience and/or certification are required for entry to the Reading and Language program. That is, all admitted students must either be certifiable as a Reading Teacher or be willing to reach that status through additional elective classes taken prior to the doctoral level classes.

Program Information

Doctoral programs in the National College of Education (NCE) are the result of more than a century of excellence in profiding progressive teacher education.Since 1886, National-Louis Universityhas had a proud history of serving the public as an innovator in education. Our mission is a progressive one of preparing teachers and educational leaders who share our values of student-centered education, democratic learning communities and social justice through educational equity.

Admission

There are two admission cycles in the National College of Education: April 15 and October 15 of each year. All applicants must submit complete materials to be considered for admission. Application requirements can be found on our website at www.nl.edu or by calling 800.443.5522 ext. 5151. In addition to admission requirements set forth by the Foster G. McGaw Graduate School, each program has its own set of admission criteria. After all application materials are available, admission decisions are made and applicants are informed.

Scholarships

The National College of Education has a limited number of Doctoral Scholarships that are available each year. Please contact the doctoral office for more information about application procedures and deadlines and determination criteria. Other opportunities might also be available. The doctoral office can assist in identifying these.

Program Requirements

All NCE programs have the same basic requirements. Some programs have more flexibility in the minor concentration than others. An advisor is assigned upon admission and assists in the preparation of a plan of study.

• Doctoral Core - 6SH
• Research and Dissertation - 21SH
• Program Core and Minor Concentration(s) - 36SH
• Total - 63 Semester Hours (SH)

Contact Us

To learn more about doctoral programs in the National College of Education, please contact us at 1.800.443.5522 or ncedoctoral@nl.edu. Or visit www.nl.edu.

• Application packet - ext. 5151
• General questions about doctoral studies at NLU - ext. 3093
• Specific questions about specific programs - ext. 2730