The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies seeks to excel in preparing effective leaders for PreK-12 schools and colleges, researchers and policy scholars involved in state, regional, and national study of major policy issues related to schools and colleges, educational leaders for active participation in policy dialogue affecting the purpose and performance of schools and colleges, and faculty to serve in schools and colleges. The graduate programs of the department are designed to enrich knowledge, skills, and values requisite to effective leadership and to effective teaching and research in educational settings.

The department views leaders as stewards and servants of organizations; designers of the social and cultural climate in which they work; teachers who facilitate and encourage human growth and development; change agents who continually examine the purpose and performance of their organizations, and conceptual provocateurs who challenge ideas and assumptions on which policy and practice are build. Educational Leadership and Policy Studies