Gordon College Launches Doctor of Education in the Science of Learning to Develop Expert Scholar-Practitioners

Program will Focus on Language and Literacy Education and Begin Summer 2026

WENHAM, MA – October 1, 2025 – The Herschend School of Education at Gordon College has announced the institution’s first doctoral program—a Doctor of Education in the Science of Learning—to address the nation’s literacy crisis and equip the next generation of education leaders, teacher educators and advocates.  

“Gordon has been a leader in evidence-based literacy practices for over 50 years. Our doctoral program is designed for immediate impact across all educational contexts including K-12 education, speech-language pathology clinical practice and education policy,” said Dr. Ellen Ballock, dean of the Herschend School. 

According to scores from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) only one third of United States children are proficient readers at grades four, eight and 12. 

“Our nation is facing a literacy crisis, and Gordon College has the solution,” said Peter Herschend, co-founder of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation and namesake of Gordon’s Herschend School of Education. “This program has the potential to radically change our education system through preparing the next generation of literacy leaders to apply the science of learning."

Building on the College’s history in education, the new Doctor of Education is intended to support the development of scholar-practitioners—individuals who are well-prepared to apply a deep understanding of research as they engage with real world complexities of practice. “Aligned with the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate, this program will actively bridge research and practice to further equitable educational outcomes for all students,” said Ballock. 

Program courses will include Neuroscience of Literacy, Linguistics & Language Variation and Education Policy & Advocacy. All coursework, including the dissertation, can be completed in three years.  

“The Herschend School is nationally recognized for our early literacy preparation grounded in the science of reading. Designing a doctoral program focused on language and literacy was a natural progression for the College,” said Dr. Sandra Doneski, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Our faculty have long been committed to preparing teachers, reading specialists and school leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to equip children to read proficiently including those with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.” 

The program’s first cohort of students will begin classes in summer 2026. Interested applicants can apply at gordon.edu/doctor-of-education.

About Gordon College Graduate Programs 

Gordon College is located on the North Shore of Boston in Wenham, MA and believes students and professionals should be equipped to flourish in an uncertain and changing world, prepared to make a difference with hope and confidence. With over 125 academic programs, the College currently serves 1,300 undergraduate and 550 graduate students. For more information visit www.gordon.edu.