College of Education
Department Office: 2220 Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Complex (SAEC)
Mailing Address: 1721 Campus Center Dr., Rm. 2220, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-8914
Phone: 801-581-6714
Website: elp.utah.edu
Chair: Laurence Parker, PhD
Graduate Student Coordinator: Marilynn Howard
K-12 MEd Program Supervisor: Shari Fraser, EdD
K-12 EdD and EdD with Administrative Licensure Program Supervisor: Madeline Hafner, PhD
Higher Education MEd with an emphasis in Student Affairs and Higher Education EdD Program Supervisor: Ali Watts, PhD
Director of Graduate Studies: Irene Yoon, PhD
The Department of Educational Leadership, a division of the College of Education, emphasizes the application of theory and research to the practice of leadership in K-12 schools as well as preparation for scholarly and administrative endeavors in higher education or other educational policy arenas. As a result of the department's strong national reputation (consistently ranked among the top fifteen Educational Administration Departments in the country) and faculty members' leadership in national organizations such as the University Council for Educational Administration, the American Educational Research Association, and the Association for the Study of Higher Education, students are kept abreast of the latest theory, research, and programmatic advancements within the field.
The department provides research and training opportunities through liaisons with many local and state education agencies and associations such as surrounding school districts, the Utah State Board of Education, the Board of Regents, and the Utah Consortium for Educational Leadership (UCEL).
Graduate Programs
MEd/Teacher Instructional Leadership Program
The Teacher Instructional Leadership MEd program is a four-semester degree and professional program (30 credit hours) intended for K12 educators. Teacher Instructional Leadership students enroll in content courses designed to support educator practice and provide a leadership emphasis. Embedded within the program are three core courses that fulfill the USBE Instructional Coaching course requirements. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates earn a master's degree (MEd) in Educational Leadership and Policy.
MEd/K-12 School Leadership with Licensure Program
The MEd in K-12 School Leadership with Licensure is a four-semester professional degree program. The program is designed to help aspiring school leaders develop the knowledge and skills essential for effective performance in educational organizations. As a professional program, coursework and practicum experiences develop both theoretical understandings and clinical competency-based skills. Upon successful completion of the program and all licensure requirements, candidates will be awarded an MEd degree and recommendation to the Utah State Board of Education for school leadership licensure.
MEd/Student Affairs Administration
The MEd with a specialization in student affairs administration is a two-year program designed to provide advanced preparation for students interested in student affairs careers in higher education. Courses in the program address issues for higher education administrators such as retention, assessment, and college student development.
EdD Program and EdD with Administrative Licensure (K-12)
The Doctor of Education (EdD) Program is designed to provide advanced preparation to individuals with experience working as educators and administrators in K-12 schools. Based on a model of professional inquiry, the EdD Program emphasizes the use of theory in directing its field-based approach to problem-solving. Students will study theory and research in the core domains of leadership, organization, inquiry methods, and in selected areas of specialization. They will use the knowledge gained in these areas of study to frame problems of educational leadership practice and to seek, critically examine, and apply information to solve problems during the completion of a capstone. Students can choose to fulfill requirements for their Administrative Licensure as well.
EdD In Higher Education Administration
The purpose of the EdD in Higher Education Administration is:
To develop social change leaders in higher education who actively engage with challenging issues of the 21st century to create equitable environments for learning.
These transformational leaders of social change are focused on:
Serving our campus, community, state, and stakeholders to create, expand and support educational access and opportunity for diverse populations.
Engaging with challenging issues to address inequitable conditions in society.
Championing difficult decisions that are framed within a social justice paradigm to create equity in higher education.
These individuals approach issues, solutions, and change from:
A lens of inquiry and evidence for decision-making.
A focus on partnerships and collaboration to create holistic solutions.
A frame of appreciation and respect for all members of the community.
The goal of the Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration is to bridge theory and practice to create the scholar-leader required for 21st century higher education organizations.
Ph.D. Program
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) students are expected to develop expertise in theory and research related to leadership education. This program is designed especially for those who seek careers as university professors, researchers, high-level analysts, or leaders in educational agencies. In pursuit of these aims, students will complete course work in five distinct domains: educational leadership and policy core, content specialization (students, leadership and organizations, policy, or critical studies), research methods, research apprenticeship, and independent research in the form of a dissertation. Students must also meet a residency requirement which includes the Graduate School enrollment requirement (full-time enrollment for two consecutive semester terms).
Admission Requirements
Please visit the ELP website for specific admission requirements elp.utah.edu.
On this site, you will find contact information, application materials, deadlines, testing information, and other program requirements.
Financial Aid/Scholarships/Graduate Assistantships
Contact department office (801) 581-6714 or website elp.utah.edu.