The University of Guam announced that it has received approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission to begin offering its first ever online doctoral program, a Doctor of Education in Instructional and Academic Leadership.

The new EdD program emphasizes development of the “scholar-practitioner” who will integrate their professional experiences with research and theory to improve educational practices within their cultural contexts and to influence change in their educational and organizational settings.

“UOG was founded as a teaching college in 1952 and has since developed tremendous capacity for teachers, counselors, and school administrators for our island and region,” said UOG President, Anita Borja Enriquez. "This new doctoral program is our commitment to advancing education, elevating the focus on research agendas relevant to our region, and addressing improvement to instructional areas and overall educational leadership."

School of Education Dean Alicia Aguon noted that the new doctorate responds to the needs of educators and school systems across the region.

“Our survey had nearly a thousand respondents including alumni, education professionals, and stakeholders throughout Micronesia, and overwhelmingly, there was a stated need for a program geared toward instructional and academic leadership. This doctoral program is groundbreaking as it has been developed with a cultural competency unique to our region.” said Aguon.

The School of Education will begin accepting applications to the doctoral program this summer with its first courses starting this October. UOG will release more details in the coming weeks about information sessions and the application timeline.

“This isn’t just a milestone for UOG, it’s a milestone for education across the region,” said Enriquez. “I am thrilled to see the meaningful, diverse conversational and collaborative synergies unfold from our inaugural cohort.”

Overview of the EdD in Instructional and Academic Leadership

The EdD program is an online program with 20 required courses and a total of 60 credit hours.
The dissertation is built in as coursework in the program of study.
The program is expected to take four years to complete without pausing.
The UOG Board of Regents approved the program in June 2023 and the WASC Senior College and University Commission approved the program in March 2024.
Up to 25 students are projected for the program’s inaugural cohort.
The program will launch in Fanuchånan (Fall) 2024.
To express interest or for more information, email SOE-EdD@triton.uog.edu.