Graduate programs in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies prepare professionals to lead organizations whose core mission is education. Across degree and certificate options, EDL programs emphasize leadership as organizational and systemic practice, with attention to policy-to-practice connections, improvement, and change across educational contexts.
All graduate programs are designed for working professionals and are delivered fully online.
The general concentration prepares leaders to work across educational organizations, including higher education, nonprofits, training systems, workforce development, and policy-adjacent roles. Coursework emphasizes transferable leadership competencies such as organizational improvement, evidence-based decision making, collaboration, and resource development.
This concentration is designed for students seeking broad, flexible leadership preparation aligned with program learning outcomes.
Contact Dr. John Nash for more information.
Coming soon!
EDL has proposed a new concentration focused on preparing professionals to lead educational initiatives beyond traditional school settings, including community-based and nonprofit organizations. Check back for more information soon.
These degree programs prepare aspiring and current leaders for leadership roles across K–12 systems. Coursework supports preparation for school leadership roles including principal certification.
For more information, contact Dr. Justin Bathon.
This certificate supports advanced leadership preparation for district-level and system-level roles, including superintendent and head-of-school positions. This program includes the requirements needed for superintendent certification in the state of Kentucky.
For more information, contact Dr. Lu Young.
This certificate prepares professionals to support learning and improvement through coaching and professional development in educational organizations.
For more information, contact Dr. Karen Perry.
This certificate prepares professionals to engage in leadership roles related to early childhood systems, family policy, and cross-sector collaboration.
For more information, contact Dr. Beth Rous.
The Ed.D. prepares practitioner-scholars to lead organizational improvement through applied research, including mixed-methods action research. Students may pursue leadership inquiry aligned with schools and districts, community-based organizations, or cross-sector educational contexts.
For more information, contact Dr. John Nash.
The Ph.D. prepares scholars for research, teaching, and leadership roles through advanced theoretical and empirical study of educational leadership and policy.
For more information, contact Dr. Sylvia Mendez.