Deborah Van Ourkerk, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty,
Department of Leadership and Administration

Dr. Deborah Van Ourkerk is a veteran educator with more than 30 years of teaching experience. Her work experience as well as her dissertation on literacy acquisition in at-risk students has given her invaluable literacy expertise. She has experience teaching grades K-12 and is the science department chair at her middle school.

As a GATE certified teacher, Dr. Van Ourkerk serves her campus as the district GATE representative. In addition, she is a member of the curriculum advisory committee that analyzes and promotes appropriate K-12 curriculum. She has has also served as summer school principal for six years. 

Dr. Van Ourkerk is married with two grown children. They live in Southern California and enjoy traveling, hiking, biking, and playing tennis year round.

Education

  • Doctorate in Education
    Fielding Graduate University
  • Master's in Education
    United Stated International University
  • Bachelor's in Education/Science
    Concordia University

Research Interests

  • Gifted and talented education
  • Science education
  • Literacy development in at-risk populations

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.

64

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 Leadership Master of Education

Designed to help you become a school principal, the Master of Education in Educational Leadership program will teach you to effectively lead, run, and manage a PreK-12 school.

34

Semester Credits

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M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Florida Licensure Master of Education

The program is aligned with Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) for effective leadership and is designed to create culturally aware and competent administrators.

34

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 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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Texas M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Master of Education

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program instructs aspiring school administrators in current scientific research, pedagogy, and instructional technology. Students are empowered to maximize school effectiveness and improve supervision and leadership skills in diverse P-12 school settings. Students will develop the strategies required to lead for learning, including creating a school-wide vision and using data to inform decision-making. The program is aligned with Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) for effective leadership and is designed to create culturally aware and competent administrators.

34

Semester Credits

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Certificate in Organizational Leadership Certificate

The Certificate in Organizational Leadership supports leadership as a personal and professional journey preparing graduate students to contribute to their professional communities as highly effective leaders capable of addressing real-world problems through evidence-based decision making, the use of leadership frameworks, theories and philosophies, communication, collaboration, ethics, cultural responsiveness, strategic planning, and innovation, through a variety of settings, including virtual workplaces. The certificate provides leadership skill development that spans across all disciplines including education, healthcare, nursing, 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 Texas Educational Leadership Certificate

This program is offered in Texas only. It is for educators who wish to become an assistant principal or principal and need the Principal as Instructional Leader (EC-12) certification. It will prepare candidates for the Principal as Instructional Leader (EC-12) licensure exam and ensure they are ready for school leadership.

18

Semester Credits

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