Education school works with Kelley to offer dual majors

A new partnership between the Kelley School of Business and the School of Education is aiming to better prepare IU students pursuing a career in education leadership.  

The collaborative effort, known as the IU Executive Ed.D. program, will allow School of Education students to simultaneously earn Educational Leadership degrees and master’s degrees in strategic management through the business school.

In offering this program, IU hopes students who may eventually work as superintendents or serve in other administrative positions can reduce time and save money while striving for both degrees.

Those in the program will study areas such as instructional leadership, law, entrepreneurship, strategic planning and research methodologies to prepare themselves for school leadership with management and leadership skills.

“Research has consistently shown that the quality of school leaders is one of the most important factors in promoting effective school reform and increasing student achievement,” said Gerardo Gonzalez, dean of the School of Education, in a University press release.

“This collaboration brings together outstanding faculty from two different but complementary disciplines to prepare school leaders at a time when both instructional and management skills are so clearly needed for effective educational reform,” Gonzalez said.

Students admitted into the Ed.D.in Educational Leadership program are eligible for master’s degrees through the business school.

“We are excited to provide an interdisciplinary graduate program that will prepare educational leaders to be innovative and responsive to the needs of students in the 21st century,” said Gary Crow, professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the School of Education in a press release.

Leaders in education have praised this move on behalf of both programs as a step toward the right direction.

“This is an important step forward for educational leaders in Indiana,” Suzanne Eckes, associate professor in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, said in the press release. “With access to business and education professors from two nationally ranked schools, Ed.D. students will acquire a deeper understanding about transforming schools.”

— Matthew Glowicki