Leadership Studies

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Program Mission

The mission of the Department of Leadership Studies is to prepare professionals to make valuable, cutting-edge contributions in various academic and organizational leadership roles. Through their research, professional activities, and public service, and primarily through their implementation of the leadership curricula, faculty members are committed to providing degree candidates the opportunity to deepen their professional knowledge and their understanding of educational and leadership theories, including those pertaining to adults, to extend their mastery of research and its application to strategic problem-solving, and to strengthen their commitment to professional service and ethical decision-making. Thus, the program seeks to produce graduates with the capacity for critical and creative thinking necessary to meet the complex demands placed on business and community organizations and academic units in higher education environments.

Program Vision

The Department of Leadership Studies’ vision extends the University’s long-standing mission to prepare students for “lives of responsible service and leadership” throughout the doctoral and master’s tracks. Multiple curricular options enable students to develop advanced practitioner skills applicable to community settings, businesses, and higher education organizations. A particular emphasis is on academic leadership in collegiate-level business, criminal justice, English, health science, history, information technology, instructional technology, math, missions and ministry, and student personnel services departments.

Program Goals

In pursuit of this mission, the Ed.D and Ph.D. in Leadership curricula serve the following program goals:

1. To develop critical and reflective thinking to facilitate institutional problem-solving and organizational or college improvement.
2. To nurture effective and ethical professional leadership at the college, organization, or unit-level.
3. To strengthen the research, analytical and communication skills necessary for professional decisionmaking.
4. To strengthen content knowledge in a emphasis area.
5. To promote public service and ethical leadership in professional and community settings.

Programs

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree is designed to accommodate both preprofessional students who wish to further their education and those already working in professional careers who aim to advance within their respective organization or agency. The M.S. develops individuals to be leaders in their fields of study.

• Organizational Leadership, M.S.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership prepares students for advanced professional practice directed mainly toward the application or transmission of existing knowledge. The program of study leading to the Doctor of Education, as a professional degree, focuses on the utilization of research knowledge rather than on the production of new research knowledge. Those who aspire to leadership positions as administrators, policy analysts, curriculum designers or learning resource specialists, for example, would appropriately seek the Doctor of Education degree.

• Educational Leadership, EdD.

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) prepares students for advanced professional practice directed toward research as well as the transmission of existing knowledge.

• Leadership, PhD.

• Leadership Certificate (Tier I)

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