Educational Leadership and Foundations

Our vision is to improve life conditions and opportunities for individuals, families, and communities worldwide.

Our mission is to improve the equity and quality of teaching and learning environments throughout the world. We accomplish this mission through the integration of research, teaching, and service to strengthen educational opportunities for all people worldwide. This integrated mission is threefold:

1. Explore and expand the knowledge of educational theory, policy, practice, and leadership.
2. Foster the growth of educational leaders of faith and character who possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
3. Build the capacity of individuals, families, communities, states, and nations to identify and solve education problems.

The Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations currently offers these degree programs:

• EdD in Educational Leadership
• MEd in Educational Leadership/School Leadership Specialization
• MEd in Educational Leadership/Education Policy Studies Specialization

EdD in Educational Leadership

The EdD in Educational Leadership program prepares mid-career leaders for advanced leadership positions in educational institutions. It is designed to be completed in three years, and is for students who also work full-time. This program prepares education leaders with scholarly dispositions and skills to enable them to effectively lead, lift, inspire, and educate their colleagues and followers. The program aims to instill in its candidates the desire to make education institutions places of learning that equip students from all backgrounds to be contributing members of the human family.

Graduates are prepared to become:

• Collaborative leaders and change agents
• Data-driven decision makers
• Critical consumers of research
• Culturally proficient agents for educational equity
• Proficient leaders in education contexts

(Please note that we accept a new cohort on even-numbered years only, such as 2016, 2018, etc.)

MEd in Educational Leadership/School Leadership Specialization

The School Leadership specialization develops competent educational leaders of faith, intellect, and character who have a vision and a compelling sense of purpose for the continuous improvement of schools and enhancement of learning for all. In this graduate program, students will acquire the knowledge and skills to facilitate, motivate, and lead high levels of learning for all students and teachers.

The curriculum prepares students to take the state-required Administrative Praxis Examination and to apply for the Education Leadership License in the state of Utah. Graduates who receive their Utah State licensure can serve as leaders in educational institutions, in positions of responsibility, such as principals, directors, and superintendents in public and private organizations.

There are two track options for the School Leadership emphasis (see department website for more information):

1. Executive School Leadership (ExSL)—a part-time track
2. Accelerated Preparation Program (APP)—a part-time track for those already holding a master's degree

The School Leadership specialization is designed to be completed in one to two years; however, students are given five years to complete the MEd program and graduate.

MEd in Educational Leadership/Education Policy Studies Specialization

Program is undergoing redesign and will accept students for Fall 2025 (Deadline: May 1, 2025)

The Education Policy Studies specialization is a rigorous program, preparing professionals to contribute to educational change, policy, and research on a local, national, and/or global scale. Students examine educational movements, reforms, outcomes, and controversies using modes of inquiry associated with an array of scholarship fields and disciplines.

The EPS specialization prepares students for successful careers with:

• Educational foundations
• Private research and development firms
• Local and regional school districts
• State offices of education
• Federal regional education laboratories
• The U.S. Department of Education
• International development organizations
• PhD programs in education, policy, research, measurement, etc.

Program flexibility also allows interdisciplinary collaboration through approved joint degree programs such as the MEd/JD program.

Phone: (801) 422-4291

Chair:  Pamela Hallam

Resources & Opportunity

• Computer Lab. Computers are available in the McKay School computer lab to provide graduate students access to the several university-licensed software programs, such as SPSS and NVivo to analyze research data. These computers also enable students to search and access materials found online as well as in the Harold B. Lee Library.  EdD students will also have access to the library facilities at the University of Utah.
• Graduate Student Study Carrels.  Graduate student study carrels are available for graduate students who are attending full time and/or working with faculty on research, evaluation, and development projects.

Financial Assistance

• Research Assistantships. A limited number of research assistantships are available upon application. These assignments involve working with selected faculty members 10 to 20 hours per week. Assistantships are given for one semester but may be extended following a review of student performance.
• Scholarships. Scholarships are available on a limited basis. Students receiving assistantships are not normally given tuition scholarships. Tuition aid is given on the basis of need.  Applications should be submitted to the department.