Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (ELPS)

Lead the Change in Education
Our educational leadership and policy studies (ELPS) programs — including the Ritchie Principal Licensure Certificate, M.A., Ph.D., and Ed.D. degrees — are designed to prepare leaders who can meet the challenges facing students, schools, and communities today and in the future. ELPS students learn to identify disparities and challenge inequities within educational systems, building leadership skills that drive continuous improvement and create meaningful, equitable outcomes for all.

Transformative Leadership Development
As an ELPS student, you’ll cultivate self-awareness and critical consciousness, key attributes of transformative leadership. Understanding yourself — your strengths, growth areas, and the experiences that shape who you are — is essential for leading others effectively. Great leadership begins with knowing where you stand and committing to where you need to go.

Scholar Practitioner Focus
Through engaging coursework and field-based experiences, you’ll develop the tools to analyze educational research, apply theory to practice, and become a critically conscious scholar committed to scholarly research and leadership for social justice in education. The program emphasizes a deep understanding of equity-based leadership as a catalyst for systemic change.

Community and Organizational Impact
At the heart of the ELPS programs is a focus on transformative leadership. You’ll learn how to leverage your knowledge, skills, and resources to work collaboratively with your communities and organizations to challenge the status quo and create equitable opportunities for every student. Whether you're pursuing a career in school or district leadership, policy development, or academia, the ELPS program equips you to lead with purpose for the greatest positive impact.