Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s first doctoral program now accepting applications

Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s first-ever doctoral program is fully vetted and ready to start welcoming applicants that will start classes this fall, officials announced this week.

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The Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program was announced in August, as university officials submitted their request for approval to the accrediting agency, the Commission on Colleges and Universities, formerly known as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, or SACSCOC.

“This new program will educate leaders across our region while remaining accommodating to the needs of working educators and district professionals,” said Elisabeth Krimbill, associate professor in the Department of Educator and Leadership Preparation, in a statement.

Initial approval for the doctoral program was awarded in July 2025 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. And this summer, SACSCOC issued the final green light, which accredits the degree at a national level.

With these two approvals, officials can now begin accepting applications. The deadline to apply is July 15, and applicants are expected to hear back between July and August, with classes starting in August.

The fully-online doctoral program is intended to offer flexible courses for working educators, including principals, assistant principals, superintendents and teachers.

Over the next few years, students will have access to specialized tracks in the areas of special education, early childhood education and bilingual education. These tracks were identified with the help of feedback from university alumni and local educators.

“We wanted to be very specific in approaching the needs that were identified by our local superintendents and these are growing areas that are often underserved,” Krimbill said during an interview in the fall.

Krimbill and her team at TAMUSA began developing the Doctor of Education degree program in 2022 and the Texas A&M University System Board approved it in 2023.

The Southside university was established in 2009, and also offers 18 master’s degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Science, Business and Education. Eight of those programs are in the College of Education.

“We could not be more excited to have the final step complete and to begin accepting and reviewing applications. We have heard a lot of interest generated among local education leaders, alumni, and the community for this new doctoral program,” Krimbill said.

The San Antonio Report partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.