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Expanding Options Help Drive Enrollment Growth at Watson College

  • Kristine Adams
  • October 07, 2026

The Watson College of Education (WCE) welcomed more students this fall, with student credit hours growing nearly 14% over last year and continuing a growth trend that began in 2025.

The increase reflects WCE’s expanding range of programs and pathways, designed to give students greater flexibility, affordability and choice as they prepare for careers in education and leadership.

“The Watson College is committed to providing flexible, affordable programs that meet students’ needs and prepare them for career success,” said Watson College Dean Tracy Linderholm, “By expanding our academic offerings, increasing online options and creating more accessible pathways, we’re giving students more ways to reach their goals.”

New offerings are helping drive that growth. This fall, WCE welcomed its first students to redesigned graduate programs in curriculum and instruction and instructional technology. Offered in partnership with Risepoint, the programs are fully online and feature accelerated seven-week courses, making them especially accessible to working professionals.

WCE has expanded pathways into special education, a high-need area of K-12 education. In addition to bachelor’s degree and Master of Arts in Teaching programs, the college now offers a graduate-level certificate leading to K-12 special education licensure. This fall, WCE welcomed a new cohort of Residency in Special Education (RISE) students to the certificate program. With generous support from Dr. Yousry and Linda Sayed, RISE students receive scholarships, instructional coaching and intensive academic advising.

New certificate options in birth-kindergarten, middle grades, secondary education, English as a second language and art also offer residency teachers accelerated pathways to licensure, with course credits that can later be applied toward an MAT degree for students who choose to continue their education.

WCE is also working with P-12 school-university partners and community college partners to strengthen programs, expand opportunities and create more accessible pathways into teaching for transfer students, teaching assistants and other school employees who want to become lead teachers.

Enrollment in leadership programs is also growing. WCE offers a leadership studies minor open to students in any discipline, master’s and add-on licensure programs for aspiring school leaders, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership with specializations in educational administration, curriculum and instruction, higher education and community college leadership. More than 180 undergraduates are enrolled in the minor, and interest in school administration programs remains strong. Since its 2007 launch, the Ed.D. has prepared nearly 200 graduates for leadership roles across North Carolina and beyond, with 136 students currently pursuing their doctorates at Watson.

WCE’s enrollment growth comes as UNCW celebrates record enrollment of more than 20,000 students and national recognition for program quality and affordability. UNCW Earns National Recognition as Enrollment Reaches Record High.