Clark University develops first doctoral program in education department, designed to promote social change

A mean wearing a blue sweater and green khakis stands inside a college classroom teaching to students seated around the classroom.

Photo I Courtesy of Clark University (Second from left) Eric DeMeulenaere, Clark University professor of education, will serve as program director for the school's transformative education degree track.

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By Mica Kanner-Mascolo

Clark University will launch its first doctoral program within its education department as the Worcester school will begin its transformative education track this fall aimed at preparing students to promote social change within the field.

“This program is designed to support practitioners to think creatively and innovatively about the challenges our society faces,” Eric DeMeulenaere, professor of education and program director, said in a Wednesday press release from Clark.

The low-residency transformative education program, housed in the university's education department, will meet in-person every other weekend in order to allow students to continue their full-time work positions. Classes will center themes including using education as a means for social change, community engagement, activist scholarship, and multilingualism.

Clark’s education department also offers a master’s in teaching track as well as a master of education degree and education specialist degree.

Eligible program applicants must have already obtained a master’s degree in education or a related field, according to Clark's website.

“Our world is facing existential threats in several areas, and in order to equip ourselves to address those challenges, we need to transform our educational practices and create an environment where students can have more powerful, transformative learning experiences,” said DeMeulenaere.

The announcement of Clark’s new doctoral program comes two months after the school joined the United Nations’ Academic Impact initiative that connects institutions of higher education working to support UN goals including access to education, the promotion and protection of human rights, and conflict resolution.

Enrolling 3,830 full-time students, Clark is the second largest college or university in Central Massachusetts when ranked by full-time enrollment for fall 2023, according to data compiled by WBJ’s Research Department.

Mica Kanner-Mascolo is a staff writer at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the healthcare and diversity, equity, and inclusion industries.