The first informational session on the inaugural California State University, Stanislaus Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership degree program will be held on Wednesday, December 19.

The free session on the University's groundbreaking doctorate program, which will open in Fall 2008, is scheduled for 5 p.m. in Room 102 of Demergasso-Bava Hall on the Turlock campus, One University Circle. It is designed for educators who are interested in earning a doctorate to advance their careers in education. Directions and information are available by calling (209) 667-3364 or on the University website at www.csustan.edu/edd.

Under the leadership of Dr. Steven K. Lee, Founding Director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, the three-year program is designed to meet the need for highly trained educational leaders in the Central Valley. Two specializations will be offered -- one in leadership for preschool to grade 12 schools and the other for community college leadership. Classes will be held in the evenings and registration for the charter cohort of students will be accepted after the California State University Trustees and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) provide final clearances this spring.

Seven CSU campuses launched Doctorate of Education degree programs for the first time in CSU history this fall after state legislation was enacted in 2005 that allowed them to join the University of California system and other four-year universities in the state to offer the degrees. CSU Stanislaus is one of five CSU campuses preparing to launch Ed.D. programs in fall 2008.