Our department prepares scholar-leaders to engage with today’s most pressing educational issues. Whether seeking to understand how and why public schools perform as they do or striving to improve the accessibility and equity of postsecondary education for all students, our department provides students with meaningful opportunities to engage on a host of educational issues and our faculty stand ready to provide students with consistent mentoring and professional engagement to enhance their professional studies.

Programs Preparing Tomorrow’s Scholar-Leaders

The department includes three program areas, each with its own specialization and degree offerings. Our Educational Leadership Program, which is a member of the University Council of Educational Administration, is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). This accreditation acknowledges that the program and its faculty are preparing pre-service educational leaders with the skills, knowledge, and capacity they need to effect change in public and private school settings in Indiana and beyond. Faculty in the Educational Leadership Program also specialize in the Foundations of Education, leading to an intensive understanding of the historical, philosophical, and sociological factors that influence the delivery of schools with a democratic society. 

Our Education Policy and Law Program blends skills in policy and legal analysis to prepare educators and education stakeholders with the capacity to address education issues through meaningful policy change. As part of this program, students can earn a Ph.D. in History, Philosophy, and Policy with a Specialization in Education Policy and Law, a fully online certificate in Education Law, or complete courses leading to a doctoral minor. Doctoral students in this program area can engage in practice-based policy projects as the program also serves as host to the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy (CEEP). The program faculty also host the Martha McCarthy Law and Policy Institute, a respected gathering of education law and policy scholars.

Our top ranked Higher Education & Student Affairs (HESA) Program prepares professionals with an in-depth understanding of the policy and practical issue facing higher education and the support these institutions provide to students. Faculty within this program area also collaborate with the Center for Postsecondary Research (CPR), a leading research center focused on emerging issues in higher education and high-leverage practices used to improve postsecondary outcomes.

A Department Invested in Student Success

Beyond the academic opportunities provided in our department, our student services team is here to provide support in your academic journey. Our team is able to assist with admissions, course permissions, degree milestones, programs of study, registration, graduation, and many other important steps. Our team collaborates directly with the School of Education’s Office of Graduate Studies to ensure that you have the information you need. Moreover, our team also provides support to students through graduate funding opportunities and fellowships. If you need anything, please reach out to educlead@iu.edu, hesa@iu.edu, or elps@iu.edu so that one of our team members can assist you.

With my sincere best wishes for your success!