Christendom College has received official approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to begin offering doctoral degrees, marking a historic moment in the life of the college. This accreditation milestone affirms Christendom’s academic strength and clears the way for the college’s new Center for Educational Philosophy and Leadership to begin offering doctoral degrees this fall.
“This is a tremendous moment for Christendom,” says College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. “For decades, we have formed undergraduates to be leaders in the Church and society. Now, with this next step, we can provide even deeper intellectual and spiritual formation for those leading the renewal of Catholic education in America.”
The Center for Educational Philosophy and Leadership will offer two degree paths. The first, a 30-credit online M.Ed. program, is designed for teachers, administrators, and others passionate about education and the Catholic intellectual tradition.
The second path is a 54-credit Ed.D. program created especially for leaders in Catholic education. Students will gain expertise in administration, research methods, and applicable law, with the program culminating in a dissertation that advances the field of Catholic education.
These programs aim to equip educators, administrators, and aspiring leaders with the tools to transform Catholic education through the traditional liberal arts and Catholic intellectual tradition. By forming educators who deeply understand human anthropology, the philosophy of Catholic education, and authentic leadership, Christendom hopes to shape schools into beacons of truth, beauty, and goodness for generations to come.
“The mission of Christendom is to form men and women who will contribute to the Christian renovation of the temporal order,” says Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kevin Tracy. “A doctoral program in Education aligns with that mission. Through it, we can share with the wider world how the Catholic intellectual tradition addresses the challenges that educators face today.”
While the initial doctoral offerings will be housed within the Center, the SACSCOC approval opens the door for the college to consider future expansion of graduate programs in other disciplines. It also signals Christendom’s continued growth as a center for academic excellence in service of the Church.
The first cohort of doctoral students is expected to begin in Fall 2025. More information about the Center for Educational Philosophy and Leadership can be found here.