The graduate programs in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis are designed to meet the specific educational needs of the student in a particular area of emphasis. Graduates find employment in a wide range of settings including colleges and universities, public schools, policy agencies, professional associations, government and business and industry.
The PhD Program in ELPA requires a minimum of 60 hours beyond the master's degree. The goal of the PhD program is the preparation of professional researchers and scholars who have high levels of competence in conducting research that adds to the knowledge base.
The program also has a goal of meeting the student's individual career goals and interests through the development of an appropriate plan of study. Each emphasis area has slightly different requirements and areas of focus; however, all 3 emphasis areas require a department-wide core; emphasis area coursework; electives; a research core; and the completion of a minimum of 6 hours for the dissertation.
The EdD Program in Educational Leadership is designed to enhance the knowledge and competencies of educational leaders so they provide optimal leadership in organizations that educate a wide range of learners from youth to adult. The program's curriculum is designed to prepare leaders who are inquiring, reflective practitioners who are competent in defining and solving complex problems in education.
The Educational Specialist (EdSp) Program is designed to enhance the knowledge and competencies of PK-12 educational administrators and to lead to advanced principal certification and/or superintendent certification. The program has a thematic, integrated, problem-based curriculum intended to prepare school and district leaders who are inquiring, reflective practitioners. The curriculum is aligned with state standards for certification.
The department's master's programs are intended to provide initial preparation for leaders in a variety of educational contexts, including higher education and PK-12 schools. Programs vary according to emphasis area and are designed to meet student's individual career goals and interests – e.g., student affairs administration, initial principal certification, and general higher education administration.