The Division of Education Policy and Leadership promotes critical and discipline-based studies of education policies and practices; encourages thoughtful and responsive explorations of education and related social issues; and fosters innovative and collaborative efforts to inform education policy at all levels of government. Graduates pursue professional roles in university teaching and research, fill policy and leadership positions in public and private educational institutions, and work as specialists and advocates in governmental and non-governmental agencies.
The Division offers graduate programs of study leading to the M.A., and Ph.D. Although this is primarily a graduate program, it also offers a series of undergraduate courses that fulfill specific University and College requirements. Examples include: EDPL 201, Education in Contemporary Society, an elective course approved to meet the campus diversity requirement; EDPL 210, Historical and Philosophical Perspectives on Education, a course that meets the university general core requirement in the social sciences; and EDPL 301, Social Foundations of Education, a required course for education majors.
At the graduate level, faculty members work collaboratively with students to design a program of study that addresses their professional goals and the Department's mission. A program of study includes a series of core courses designed to introduce students to education policy as a field of study and prepare students for graduate-level work. In addition to the core courses, students select courses in research methods, discipline-based studies, and critical theory. These courses provide students with the theoretical and methodological tools required to critically examine education policies and practices.
Students apply these tools in one of the Divisions's current areas of specialization: Curriculum Theory and Development, Socio-Cultural Foundations of Education, Education Policy and Organizational Leadership and Policy Studies. Each specialization provides an opportunity for students to develop a focused, policy-relevant area of study within their program that reflects their professional interests and faculty expertise.