The Department of Educational Administration (EDAD) offers graduate programs that prepare individuals to serve and lead P-20 educational organizations in the challenges facing 21st century teaching and learning.
Program Options
We offer programs for students interested in leadership and administration across the P-20 educational continuum.
For students interested in P-12 school leadership, we offer a 2-year, hybrid MEd program leading to administrative endorsements in Elementary School Principal (P-8) or Secondary School Principal (7-12). We also offer a 1-2 year, hybrid endorsement program in elementary principal, secondary principal, and special education supervisor, and a 2-3 year, hybrid superintendent endorsement program.
For students interested in working in administrative positions in higher education institutions, or in opportunities to advance their career in higher education administration, we offer the following degree and certificate programs:
- A 2-year, online MA program with specializations in higher education or community colleges;
- A 2-year, face-to-face MA program with a specialization in student affairs administration; and
- A 1-2 year, online graduate certificate in community college leadership.
At the doctoral level, we offer a practitioner-focused, 4-year, hybrid EdD in Educational Administration with specializations in higher education, community colleges, and P12 system-level school leadership (with or without superintendent endorsement). Additionally, for students interested in pursuing careers in college/university teaching in the field of educational administration, research and policy in P-12 school leadership or higher education, or who want a more research-based graduate education, we offer a 5-6 year PhD program in educational studies with a specialization in educational leadership and higher education. Within this program students can choose a concentration in P-12, community college, or higher education leadership.
All programs combine online coursework during the academic year with in-person summer courses, along with other required and optional in-person experiences. Those leading to administrative endorsements require internship hours to be completed under the supervision of an onsite mentor.
Department Contacts
There are a number of key people in the department with whom you will interact during your time as a graduate student. The following is a brief overview of their roles and responsibilities, which can help you determine who to go to when you have a question or need assistance. Names and contact information for the people currently filling each of the roles below can be found on the Department website.
Your Advisor
Your advisor is your first go-to person when you have a question or concern about your program. Advising looks slightly different across each program in the Department, so more information is provided on advising in Part 2 of the manual.
Graduate Secretary
The Graduate Secretary is responsible for distributing permission codes to students for course registration each term, tracking student progress, and otherwise assisting students and faculty advisors in navigating department, Graduate College, and University policies and procedures.
Graduate Faculty Chair
The role of the Graduate Faculty Chair is to ensure that all students are treated fairly and held to appropriate academic standards in the various programs of the department. The Graduate Chair, with assistance from the Graduate Secretary, tracks student progress and coordinates with advisors to provide the necessary support for students to make continuous progress towards their degree objectives. The Graduate Chair manages processes for addressing issues of academic dishonesty, dismissing students from their program, and grade appeals and other grievances.
Program Coordinators
Each program within the department has a specific faculty coordinator who is responsible for overseeing the academic content of each program. Program coordinators are responsible for program-level communications and managing program-specific processes, such as masters comprehensive exams, ensuring that academic programs meet requirements for relevant certifications, and program admissions.
Department Chair
The Department Chair is responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the department, including course scheduling and communications.
| If you have a question or concerns about…. | Please contact: |
| Permission codes to enroll in courses | Graduate Secretary |
| What courses to enroll in next term | Your advisor |
| The grade you received in a course | The course instructor. If not resolved, contact the Graduate Faculty Chair or Department Chair. |
| A problem with your advisor | The Graduate Faculty Chair or Department Chair |
| What you need to do for your capstone/ comprehensive exam | Your advisor and/or the Program Coordinator |
| Personal or professional obligations that make it difficult for you to enroll in courses for a term | Your advisor, who can help you determine whether a Leave of Absence is the right course of action. |
| Personal or professional obligations that make it difficult for you to complete work in courses in which you are currently enrolled | Your course instructor and your advisor |
| Program milestones or deadlines | The Graduate Studies web site and your advisor |
| Internship requirements | Your advisor and the Program Coordinator |
If you have any other questions or concerns and are not sure who to contact, you are always welcome to contact your advisor, the Graduate Secretary, the Graduate Chair, or the Department Chair, all of whom can help you figure out how to best proceed.