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Please note: Beginning with the 2022 cohort, the EdD program will start during the Summer term.
The Educational Leadership and Policy program (EDLP) is designed to advance knowledge and address enduring and future problems of schools by:
Graduates will have the skills and research background, be able to challenge existing systems that discriminate against people, adapt to a changing world, predict the consequences of proposed action, and sustain continuous education improvements over time. The development of skills and qualities that will enhance the ability of leaders to empower, inspire, and guide the performance of others in achieving the desired goals of a school, a school district or a community will be the focus of this program.
Educational Policy Studies and Practice
The Department of Educational Policy Studies and Practice (EPSP) includes Educational Leadership and the Center for the Study of Higher Education. The EPSP department combines the PK-12 focus with postsecondary education to create a P-20 perspective that taps into the dominant discourse of education and policymakers today.
EPSP prepares graduate students at the doctorate and master's levels. Graduate programs in HED include Ph.D. and M.A. degrees. Graduate programs in EDLP include an Ed.D., Ph.D., M.A. and M.Ed. The M.A. degree has a focus on policy. The M.Ed. degree is a standards-driven curriculum leading to both a degree and state certification for the principalship.
The Educational Leadership, M.Ed., program is designed for aspiring educational leaders who are seeking administrative certification. This cohort-based, 36-unit program can lead to principal certification in the state of Arizona and can be completed within two years. The cohort concept has been used successfully by the University of Arizona Educational Leadership Program for several years. In this model, students develop formal and informal relationships with other students that support their journey to successful completion of an advanced degree. It also provides a solid foundation for leaders considering doctoral work at the elementary and secondary levels. In fact, some of the core courses may be applied toward the doctoral program in educational leadership.
The traditional M.Ed. course sequence consists of two courses each fall semester and two courses each spring semester. There are also four courses offered in the summer of the first year of participation in the program. Courses are held in the evenings once per week and are generally offered on the university campus. Off-campus locations may also be utilized at times.
Courses in the program are delivered in a variety of formats, including completely online, hybrid (meaning a combination of in-person and online classes), and in-person. Core coursework of the program includes classes like EDL 560 (Foundations of Educational Leadership: Theory, Research & Practice), EDL 561 (The Principalship), and EDL 562 (Arizona Education Law).
Both the Center for the Study of Higher Education (HED) and Educational Leadership (EDL) maintain their core functions and curriculum, consistent with professional career paths and state standards for certification leading to licensure. However, the combined unit more broadly facilitates and encourages research, instructional, and service and outreach initiatives consistent with a policy development and analysis focus.
College of Education
Arizona Global Direct - Online
Arizona Online - Online
GRE is not required.
International Applicants ONLY:
Minimum TOEFL: 79
Minimum IELTS: 7
None available.
Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
63
*The course sequence will soon be adjusted to show the updated summer 2022 program start date. Please check periodically for updated course schedule.
Each course is offered in 7.5 week terms.
Year 1- 21 units
Fall
EDL 620: Advanced Foundations in Education Leadership: Theory, Research & Practice (3)
EDL 558: Market-Based Education Reforms (3)
Spring
EDL 625: Leadership for the School and Diverse Community (3)
EDL 626: Leadership for Social Justice: Ethics and Law (3)
Summer
EDL 606: Policy Analysis in Education (3)
EDL 661: Administration of Bilingual Education Programs (3)
EDL 602: Culturally Responsive Leadership and Policy (3)
Year 2- 21 units
Fall
EDL 522: Critically Evaluating Education Policy Research (3)
EDL 605: Qualitative Methods in Education (3)
Spring
EDL 622: Research and Data-Based Decision Making (3)
EDL 504: Disciplined Inquiry in Education (3)
Summer
EDL 562: Arizona Education Law (3)
EDL 623: Curriculum and Instructional Leadership (3)
EDL 682: The Superintendency (3) OR EDL 561: The Principalship (3)
Year 3- 18 units
Fall
EDL 621: Organization, Operational & Resource Leadership (3)
EDL 604: Leadership for Educational Change (3)
Spring
EDL 675: Leadership and Organizations Theory and Behavior (3)
EDL 627: Leadership for Educational and Organizational Change (3)
EDL 920: Dissertation (6)
Total units: 63
See Core Coursework Requirements.
Milestones
Year 1:
Conceptual Paper
Year 2:
Proposal Defense
Year 3:
Final Report/Dissertation Defense
Minors may be declared in Educational Leadership, or outside of the program with approval from your advisor.
Students must complete the minor department requirements as stated by the minor advisor.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 100% |
| Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 3.50 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 33.02% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 66.98% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 3.77% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 59.43% |