Cathy McKay, Ed.D.

Administrative Faculty and Chair,
Department of Professional Educational Studies

Dr. Cathy McKay spent most of her professional career in the K-12 context. As she taught in both public and private schools, she worked with many educators on a variety of projects including process improvement, standard test readiness, and alternative educational opportunities. She helped develop two district-wide curricula in science and math for grades K-12. Additionally, she participated in programs to improve student achievement through data analysis.

Throughout her K-12 teaching assignments, Dr. McKay served as a teacher leader. For four years, she and her classes hosted a commemoration of the Tutsi genocide in Rwanda. This international project was showcased as an exemplar through Expeditionary Learning, a network of high-performing public schools.  

While continuing her work in K-12 education, Dr. McKay transitioned to higher education through teaching at a local community college where she developed and implemented programs focusing on student success, primarily in mathematics. She presented her strategies for success for the faculty and staff at the college for their semester in-service events. Additionally, she has helped an online high school dramatically change middle school and high school instructional methods by implementing gaming into the curriculum. As the educational expert, she oversees the content and curriculum.

Dr. McKay resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, with her husband of 25 years. They have a 22-year-old son who is finishing a physics and computer science degree.

Education

  • Doctorate in Education
    Walden University
  • Master's in Education
    Walden University
  • Bachelor's in Biology, Psychology and Education
    Indiana University
  • Master's in Educational Technology
    American College of Education

Research Interests

  • Alternative education
  • Teacher leadership
  • Curriculum development

Program Affiliations

Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of a wide range of curriculum development and instructional methods that can improve teaching and learning in diverse educational settings.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Instructional Technology Doctor of Education

This customizable degree is designed to help you advance your understanding of methods of instructional technology for a wide range of educational settings. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Leadership Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education in Leadership program is designed to help you advance your leadership and research skills within your chosen discipline, whatever that may be. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Nursing Education Doctor of Education

The Doctorate in Nursing Education is for master’s degree nurses who want to help address the growing need for more RNs in today’s ever-expanding healthcare system. The American College of Education Ed.D in Nursing Education program is a fully online curriculum to prepare nurses as educators in either an academic or professional development setting. The program uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to focus on the science of teaching and learning. Students will engage in scholarly research to support their dissertation while developing the competencies to create and evaluate curriculum, develop effective teaching strategies, use innovative technology to promote learning and much more as they prepare to educate the next generation of nurses.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Public Health Education Doctor of Education

The customizable Doctorate in Public Health Education is designed for healthcare educators and professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.D. in Second Language Instruction Doctor of Education

The Doctorate of Education in Second Language Instruction is designed for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level. Through a tailored approach to the dissertation process, you can complete the program in as little as three years.

Students will gain experience as a scholar practitioner with the necessary skills to utilize innovative curriculum, current technology, and instruction methods relevant to second language learners’ educational needs in a variety of professional settings. Students engage in scholarly research throughout the coursework to support their final dissertation at the end of their program.

64

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Curriculum and Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction degree is for leaders who wish to advance their skills in curriculum development and instructional methods at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Instructional Technology Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Instructional Technology degree for leaders who want to advance their knowledge in instructional technology at the post-master’s level without needing to complete a dissertation. You will use theoretical foundations and current real-world practices to support the development of relevant technology that meet the needs of diverse learners.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Leadership Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Leadership degree is designed for leaders who wish to pursue advanced training at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. You will learn advanced leadership skills and competencies that will make you a more effective leader.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Nursing Education Educational Specialist

This program is perfect for nurses who want to advance their knowledge in nursing education beyond a master’s degree without completing a dissertation. It’s also stackable, if you decide after completing the Ed.S. program that you would like to continue and complete an Ed.D. program with a dissertation. This means that you can apply your Ed.S. credits to the Ed.D. in Nursing Education and complete that program in just 37 credits.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Public Health Education Educational Specialist

The Education Specialist in Public Health Education degree is designed for educators and healthcare professionals who wish to address public health issues through education in local, national and international communities at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation.

34

Semester Credits

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Ed.S. in Second Language Instruction Educational Specialist

The Educational Specialist in Second Language Instruction is for professionals with a master’s degree who wish to advance their second language instruction skills and knowledge at the post-master’s level without having to complete a dissertation. Students will become more effective leaders in the field of Second Language Instruction through in-depth knowledge of research-based theories of language acquisition, assessment and instructional methods, strategies that promote cultural understanding, and current best practices to meet the needs of second language learners across diverse educational settings.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Advanced Studies Master of Education

This program is designed to help those wanting to teach at the secondary or college level meet education requirements. With more than 10 majors and more than five Focus of Study areas, it allows you to obtain 18-credit hours in the area of your choosing.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Master of Education

This program provides PreK-12 educators with a thorough background of current scientific research and pedagogy to help them learn how students learn. It is designed around the “learn, apply, assess” model to maximize gains in student performance.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction for Graduates of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Master of Education

16

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Business Administration Master of Education

The Master of Education in Educational Business Administration program was designed for those who want to develop business and leadership skills in an educational setting. Framed by the standards from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO), the program prepares strategic leaders for senior administrative positions in a variety of settings including public, charter, and private schools, as well as community colleges and other educational institutions or learning organizations.

35

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Elementary Education Master of Education

Specifically designed for elementary teachers who wish to advance their expertise and skills, the Master of Education in Elementary Education degree will build on their current understanding of young students’ learning needs and introduce them to new ways of incorporating technology into the classroom.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum Master of Education

This program will help K-12 educators enhance their curriculum in order to improve student performance, close achievement gaps, and prepare students for the future workplace. You will learn how to utilize technology, collaborative environments, and other integrated resources to foster high levels of student achievement and performance.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum for Graduates of the M.Ed. in STEM Leadership Master of Education

2018 Catalog Release

22

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in STEM Education Master of Education

This program will help you empower students to think like scientists. It was designed in conjunction with The National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) and Accelerate Learning and offers a holistic overview of historical and current issues impacting integrated science education while cultivating research-based strategies to improve student learning.

31

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in STEM Education for graduates of the M.Ed. in Integrated Curriculum Master of Education

22

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership Master of Education

This degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to help other teachers reach their full potential. You’ll learn to interpret research on leadership models, teacher evaluation, and motivation, and use it to develop professional learning opportunities that promote continuous improvement

31

Semester Credits

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M.A. in Elementary Teaching Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Elementary Teaching degree is designed for those who want to be elementary teachers but have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. By building a solid foundation in elementary education, you’ll earn a master’s degree and be prepared for a career of working with young learners.

34

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Adult Education and Corporate Training Certificate

This certificate is designed to help you utilize teaching skills in an environment that requires professional development, team building, or training to improve personal, collaborative skills in adults. Theories of interaction are taught through experiential activities that you can apply to training opportunities.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Essential Employability Skills Certificate

The Certificate in Essential Employability Skills is designed to help students build the skills necessary for success in the workplace. No matter the field or career, the professional, personal and teamwork skills covered in this program are applicable and highly valued in just about any workplace.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Leadership Certificate

This program is for graduate students who wish to develop their personal and professional leadership skills. This certificate provides leadership skill development that spans all disciplines, including education, nursing and other healthcare roles, administration and business.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Teacher Leadership Certificate

Developed to enhance professional skills, this program provides an opportunity for teachers to learn how to support other teachers through learning how to help them reach their potential in teaching.

18

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Transition to Teaching in Elementary Education Certificate

This program is designed for those who want to be elementary teachers but have bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields. By building a solid foundation in elementary education, it will prepare you for a career of working with young learners.

24

Semester Credits

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Micro-Credential in Leadership Micro-Credential

Leadership is more than managing tasks; it involves investing in individuals, pursuing effective policies and procedures to ensure an organization is successful. Enhancing personal and professional abilities and traits, this micro-credential identifies practices of exemplary leadership, asking students to engage in actions leading to change through shared vision, analyzing processes, and enabling others to reach their potential through shared modeling and advocacy. Leaders make a difference as they bring change.

9

Semester Credits

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Micro-Credential in Personal and Professional Skills Micro-Credential

The Personal and Professional Skills Micro-Credential will focus on the qualities needed to work within oneself. These courses will address the topics needed to build the intrapersonal skills of the student. The skills required are often called soft skills. Students that show strong personal and professional skills can communicate clearly, reflect, self-assess, plan and organize effectively. Each course will focus on a specific area that is critical to building personal and professional skills.

9

Semester Credits

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