UCO to Offer Doctorate in Education; On Track to Achieve R2 Designation
Aug. 29, 2025
The University of Central Oklahoma recently received approval from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) Board of Regents and the Higher Learning Commission, UCO’s accrediting body, to launch the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in transformative leadership and learning—the university’s second doctoral degree. The Ed.D. will give educators, community and nonprofit leaders a pathway to continue their education and advance their careers.
The new program will be housed within UCO’s College of Education and Professional Studies and builds on the university’s 135-year history in teacher education, as well as recent momentum in expanding UCO’s academic offerings to include doctoral degrees. The university launched its first doctoral degree, the Doctor of Science in forensic science, in 2023.
“From the University of Central Oklahoma’s roots as a normal school dedicated to teacher preparation to our evolution as a comprehensive university—the Doctor of Education in transformative leadership and learning is both an extension of our legacy and a mark of the university’s momentum. It strengthens our academic portfolio and represents UCO’s ongoing commitment to uplifting Oklahoma’s workforce,” said UCO President Todd G. Lamb.
“This milestone also places UCO one step closer to meeting the required benchmarks to attain R2 Carnegie Classification status—an achievement that will expand our capacity to make even greater contributions through research, partnerships and workforce development across the state.”
To achieve the Research 2 (R2) designation, a university must spend at least $5 million annually on research and development activities and award at least 20 doctoral degrees each academic year. UCO already meets the R2 designation minimum research spending threshold and was one of only 216 universities nationwide to receive the 2025 Research College and University (RCU) designation earlier this year. Now, with two doctoral offerings, UCO is well-positioned to attain the R2 designation. Discussions about this natural progression of UCO's commitment to transformative learning have been underway since President Lamb's arrival on campus in 2023.
A key consideration in the OSRHE Board's approval of the Ed.D. was UCO's strong potential to achieve an R2 designation.
“UCO is unquestionably a leader in undergraduate research and an important partner in workforce development for the state of Oklahoma. Recognition as a public R2 institution in Oklahoma will position UCO to take innovation to an even greater level, benefitting the economic growth of the state and region,” said Courtney Warmington, chair of the OSRHE Board.
“UCO’s Doctor of Education will address both critical workforce needs and crucial community issues, as students center their research on topics relevant to their profession. I commend UCO for its intentionality in developing a degree that balances academic rigor and excellence with accessibility.”
The RUSO Board of Regents unanimously approved the new degree for similar reasons.
“The Doctor of Education represents a major step forward for the university, opening new opportunities for innovation, discovery and advanced learning as students and faculty work together on research that can shape the future of our state and beyond,” said Jane McDermott, chair of the RUSO Board.
“UCO graduates, like those from other RUSO institutions, are more likely to stay and serve in Oklahoma. I look forward to seeing the positive impact these doctoral graduates will have in their communities because of the knowledge and leadership skills they gain through this program.”
The Doctor of Education in transformative leadership and learning will be cohort-based and delivered in a hybrid format, combining online instruction with required in-person, on-campus sessions each semester. This model keeps the program accessible and achievable for working professionals. Students can choose from two different pathways—either leadership for K-12 administration or leadership for community development—allowing them to advance into executive leadership roles across a wide variety of industries.
Central’s unique program will help meet the critical need for qualified administrators in Oklahoma schools. As recently as June 2025, the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administrators recognized that the challenges facing Oklahoma’s teacher pipeline will expand to the administrator pipeline, increasing the need for programs such as UCO’s Ed.D. in transformative leadership and learning.
Students can expect to complete the 60-credit-hour program in approximately three years. The program is anticipated to launch in 2026.
UCO is a national leader in online education. The university is ranked among America’s Top Online Colleges by Newsweek, acknowledging efforts to offer quality, accredited online degree programs. Central was most recently ranked No. 79 out of 250 institutions nationwide.
To request more information about UCO’s Doctor of Education in transformative leadership and learning, visit go.uco.edu/edd
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