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������̳ Dean Karen Symms Gallagher and 2U CEO/co-founder Chip Paucek spoke to Jack Ford of at the 2014 ASU+GSV Summit in Scottsdale, AZ about being the first to offer an .

Gallagher said that 2U helps Rossier to achieve its mission of preparing more high quality teachers to work in urban education by providing a platform that could deliver Rossier’s curriculum to more qualified students. She said that students have such a strong connection to USC that at least 80% of the online students come to campus for commencement.

Paucek noted that Rossier’s existing online MAT program has benefited not only from sophisticated synchronous technology, but from a sincere commitment from the school. “You can drive an incredibly high online experience if done the right way,” said Paucek. “It takes a leader like this dean to be able to pull it off.”

Gallagher and Paucek announced that starting in January, Rossier will be offering an online . “We’re looking to prepare not the K–12 traditional leader, but the leader in non-traditional K–12 settings, perhaps charter schools, for-profit, non-profit,” said Gallagher. She added that Rossier is looking to train people, “who are interested in learning how to be effective leaders using the research we know on learning, on motivation, and on organizational behavior.”

“This will be our first doctorate as a company,” Paucek added. “And it’s so fitting that it’s with the school that literally built the company.”