Educational Leadership Studies

Become a Change Agent

This challenging four-year program is designed for working education professionals who have already earned a master’s degree and want to become more effective leaders in an educational setting (e.g., early care and education, P-12, and higher education). Graduates from our program become directors, assistant directors, school district leaders, administrative or academic deans, and other types of leadership roles in educationally-based organizations.

As a student in this program, you will:

• Improve your leadership skills and develop strategies to create organizational change and organizational learning.
• Apply theoretical concepts and frameworks to educational problems and identify best practices for addressing those problems.
• Use action research to diagnose problems in educational settings, identify innovative solutions, and assess outcomes.
• Develop a professional network of faculty and program alumni who will help you navigate problems in your organization.

Admission to the program requires

1. A graduate degree (M.A.) from an accredited college or university
2. A GPA of 3.5 or higher
3. A GRE verbal score of 150 or higher (500 or higher for GREs taken before August 2011)
4. A GRE analytical writing score of 4.0.
5. Two recommendations
   At least 1 (one) from an academic reference, preferably someone who has earned a doctoral degree and serves in an academic institution. The recommendation should speak to your ability to successfully navigate doctoral level coursework and complete independent action research study.
   At least 1 (one) from a professional reference who can speak to your ability to lead, work as a team member, creativity, ability to navigate systems, and manage change within an organization.