BEVERLY, Mass., April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Endicott College President Dr. Richard E. Wylie announced today that the College has received approval from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education to offer two new Ph.D. programs. These programs are in Nursing and Applied Behavior Analysis and will be offered at the Van Loan School, which is home to Endicott's graduate, degree completion, and professional development programs.

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The Ph.D. in Nursing Program intends to develop nursing scholars, faculty, leaders and researchers to prepare students to conduct research and advance nursing knowledge development through scientific inquiry.  Studies will emphasize the role of the scholar/researcher, approaches to theory development, multiple methods of research, and the approaches to knowledge development for nursing.

The Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Analysis is a research-based program of study designed to prepare students for teaching at the university level or for work as scientist-practitioners involving business and industry, developmental disabilities (including autism), education, and public policy. 

On making the announcement, Wylie said, "We are very proud to be the first and only college on the North Shore to be authorized to award doctoral degrees. These two programs, in addition to the current Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, make Endicott truly unique."

The strategic plan of the College has focused on three primary goals:  creating high demand academic programs; building quality facilities; and, establishing national and international visibility.  Recently U.S. News and World Report recognized Endicott as one of eight 'Up and Coming' colleges and universities in the East.

Dr. Wylie acknowledged the leadership of Dr. Mary Huegel, Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Kelly Fisher, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Dr. Michael F. Dorsey, Director of The Institute for Behavioral Studies, in creating the new doctoral programs. 

Both programs will include classroom and online instruction.  The programs are pending approval of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and are expected to begin fall 2014.  More information can be found at www.endicott.edu/VanLoan.

About Endicott College: 
Endicott College, located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, has a current enrollment of 2400 students in the undergraduate school and 2600 adult and graduate students in the Van Loan School for Graduate and Professional Studies.

For more information about the Ph.D. programs, please contact Dr. Mary Huegel at 978-232-2084, or email.

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SOURCE Endicott College