Department of Educational Leadership
Clement Hall, Room 318
Telephone: (404) 880-6015

Overview

The Department of Educational Leadership has a storied history during which it has produced generations of educational leaders for American schools and school districts. The department embraces the mission and core goals of the University and the School of Education, thereby seeking to prepare leaders who are well prepared for quality service and authentic advocacy for diverse schools and communities, with special emphasis on the urban centers. The department offers a comprehensive focus on leadership theories validated through a performance-based curriculum, with special emphasis on problem identification through use of various tools of research; on information and data analysis; on generating alternative strategies for addressing the strategic problems identified through this process; and on application of those strategies in the field through supervised performance-based clinical experience. The ultimate goal is to improve the academic performance of all students to meet contemporary standards in education leadership.

The Department of Educational Leadership offers graduate degrees in educational leadership administration and supervision for P-12 schools, at the Master’s, Specialist, and Doctoral levels. The Department also offers Tier I and Tier II Certification Only programs.  Additionally, the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership offers two delivery models for the Higher Education Leadership degree for individuals interested in working in colleges, universities, foundations, think tanks, governmental agencies, consultancies, and other endeavors. The Higher Education Leadership track is offered in the traditional face to face/hybrid model and in the fully online model with all required coursework completed in a 2 year time frame. Each of these programs is comprised of a planned program driven by strong content and focuses on developing and refining critical skills, and on identifying and enhancing dispositions that are aligned with national and state standards, especially the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).

To complete these programs, candidates must satisfy all program requirements, including coursework with minimum final grades of “B”; field experience; and comprehensive examinations.

Doctoral candidates in all programs must prepare and present a dissertation prospectus and develop and defend a scholarly dissertation approved by Educational Leadership faculty. Applicants must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as well as those that might be unique to the School of Education and/or the Department of Educational Leadership.

The department employs a dedicated faculty with educational training and experience necessary to meet the high standards of the School of Education, the department, and the market demand.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Educational Leadership is to prepare candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to serve as transformative leaders to improve academic outcomes of students in diverse schools and communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Vision

The Department of Educational Leadership will prepare candidates for leadership, research, and consultative service to school districts at the building and district levels and to other educational institutions in accordance with standards and guidelines approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), CAEP, and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).

Programs of Study

1. Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership Tier I, P-12 Track (30 Credits): Traditional and Online Delivery 

2. Educational Leadership Tier I Certification Only (18 Credits) - Online Delivery 

3. Specialist in Education Degree in Educational Leadership Tier II – Post-Master’s Degree, P-12 Track (33 Credits) 

4. Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership Tier II, P-12 Track (63 Credits) -Traditional Delivery

5. Doctor of Education Degree in Higher Education 

Higher Education Traditional Track (60 credits), 4 Years

Higher Education Online Track (60 credits), 2 Years

In accordance with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC) Educator Preparation Rules 505-3-7.76, Alternative Preparation for Educational Leadership Program and 505-3-77, the department stablished the requirements and standards for programs preparing in Georgia educational leadership certification. Tier I and Tier II requirements for leadership programs were revised on July 15, 2018.