MTSU’s educational doctorate programs will now be backed by membership in the prestigious Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, or CPED, a part of the larger Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The university’s membership was awarded after evaluation by a committee of other member institution leaders. CPED admitted MTSU along with nine other institutions, these new members joining over 115 other member institutions.

“Based on the application and support materials of each of these new institution members,” stated CPED’s announcement, “CPED anticipates that adding these institutions to the Consortium will add a value that will push CPED’s collective work even farther.”

Dr. Kevin Krahenbuhl

The CPED convening ceremony will be hosted virtually in October by Arizona State University.

MTSU’s Kevin Krahenbuhl, program director for the Assessment Learning and Student Success — or ALSS — Ed.D., shared about what membership means for the university and the College of Education.

“The ALSS Ed.D. program was designed for practicing professionals to enhance what they do to improve schools and student success,” Krahenbuhl said. “CPED provides both recognition as an Ed.D. program as well as continued connection with other institutions committed to the same emphasis on improving practice.”

CPED began in 2007, originating as a grassroots effort to help define the educational doctorate degree and differentiate it from an education Ph.D.

The project defines an Ed.D. as a “professional doctorate in education” that “prepares educators for the application of appropriate and specific practices, the generation of new knowledge and stewardship of the profession.”

The degree should combine the theory-based teachings of a Ph.D. with practical, hands-on knowledge and skills to prepare graduates to be “scholarly practitioners who can change or improve” their teaching or educational leadership practice.

Once an institution becomes a member, all faculty, administration and students can participate in CPED.

“We are excited about being invited to join the consortium as we expect it will help us continue to tighten up what we do to serve professionals in practice,” Krahenbuhl added.

Members meet around twice a year to dialog and collaborate on the CPED framework for Ed.D. programming. Support and resources from the project also include program design tools, resources from the meetings, a toolkit for program marketing, publication opportunities and a job postings board.

To learn more about MTSU’s Ed.D. programs, visit the website and follow the College of Education on Facebook.

— Stephanie Barrette (Stephanie.Barrette@mtsu.edu)

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate recently admitted Middle Tennessee State University as a consortium member. MTSU’s Kevin Krahenbuhl, pictured, is program director for the College of Education’s Assessment Learning and Student Ed.D. (MTSU graphic illustration by Stephanie Barrette)