Alabama State University, the historically Black educational institution in Montgomery, has received approval from the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to offer a Ph.D. program in educational leadership, policy, and law. The university currently offers an Ed.D. program in educational leadership, policy, and law.
Leon Wilson, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at the university, stated that the two doctoral degree programs in the field “gives students the option of a professional track or an academic/research track. Our Ph.D. students will be prepared to participate in the creation of knowledge through research that influences educational policy and law rather than simply being practitioners.”
Charlie Gibbons, interim dean of the university’s College of Education, adds, “The Ph.D. requires a higher level of research, and it lets students know that they are part of a university where the environment is very rigorous.”
The new program will be the fourth doctoral program at the university. In addition to the two programs in educational leadership, policy and law, the university offers a Ph.D. program in microbiology and a doctor of physical therapy degree program.
