Graduate Catalog 2024-2025

School of Leadership and Professional Studies

Marguerita DeSander, Director
Gary A. Ransdell Hall 3086
(270) 745-4890

The School of Leadership and Professional Studies offers programs designed to prepare school personnel for effective leadership in P-12 schools. The curricula meets professional certification standards in school administration. The department also provides educational foundations courses that give graduate students a greater understanding of their roles and the function of educational institutions in society.

Course work associated with degree programs at Western Kentucky University may be used to meet certification requirements established by the Commonwealth of Kentucky; however, the Commonwealth may institute changes in certification requirements at any time. When the Commonwealth initiates such changes, students seeking certification may be required to modify their courses/experiences to meet the new certification requirements.

Students wishing to pursue one of the non-degree programs must make application to Graduate Studies. Upon completion of the program, individuals must contact the Office of Professional Educator Services in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. That official then certifies to the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board that rank requirements have been met.

Faculty

Professor

Marguerita K. Desander PhD (Ed Policy/Plan/Ldsp), College of William and Mary, 2005

Gary W. Houchens PhD (Educational Leadership & Organizational Development), University of Louisville, 2008

Associate Professor

Lester A. Archer PhD (Educ Leadership/Research), Louisiana State University & A&M College, 2017

Kimberlee K. Everson PhD (Educ Inquiry, Measurement, & Evaluation), Brigham Young University, 2012

Stacy R. Leggett EdD (Educational Administration), George Washington University, 2015

Assistant Professor

Tanja N. Bibbs PhD, University of Kentucky, 2019

Nicholas L. Brake PhD (Educational Administration), University of Louisville, 2003

William W. Cottongim EdD (Educational Leadership), Western Kentucky University, 2012

Laura M. Hudson EdD (Curriculum and Instruction), Liberty University, 2015

Pedagogical Assistant Professor

Anne L. Heintzman PhD (English Rhetoric and Composition), University of Louisville, 2010

Wren A. Mills PhD (Educational Leadership & Organizational Development), University of Louisville, 2010

Will R. Perry EdD, Lipscomb University, 2017

Rheanna P. Plemons EdD (Educational Leadership, Organizational Leadership), Western Kentucky University, 2014

Instructor I

Jon R. Akers MA (Secondary School Counseling), Eastern Kentucky University, 1998

Frank L. Coffey MAE (Middle Grades Education), University of Kentucky, 1998

Adult Education Courses

ADED 510    Introduction to Facilitating Change in Adults    3 Hours

Introduction to the concepts and theories of adult learning, change theory, and improvement science. In this course, students will analyze theories in adult learning, identify change theory and change agency, and improvement science, and demonstrate conceptual understanding of overlap between these theories for individuals, organizations, and community/society.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; summer 2022; winter 2023; winter 2024

ADED 515    How Adults Change    3 Hours

Examines the process of change that occurs in adults through learning and development. Models of adult development and adult learning will be explored as it relates to the process of change within individuals, organizations, and communities/society.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; summer 2023; summer 2024

ADED 520    Facilitating Change Agency in Adults    3 Hours

Aids students in developing skills to facilitate change in adults using adult education methods. The course will focus on identifying the intersection of change models with facilitation models. Practical applications will cover establishing goals, objectives, learning design, learning activities, and outcomes assessment.

Prerequisite(s): ADED 515

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

ADED 530    Program Planning for Adults and Learning Organizations    3 Hours

Guides students through the process of developing and delivering a program for adult learners and organizational change. Students will be exposed to practical aspects of program design, program delivery, assessment, and evaluation. Focus will be on the role program planning has in facilitating change within organizations and the community/society.

Prerequisite(s): ADED 510 (may be taken concurrently)

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

ADED 540    History and Philosophy of Change Agency in Adults    3 Hours

Enables students to compare and contrast philosophical perspectives on change agency, through the review of historical change agency figures, leading to one's own philosophy. Philosophy and history of adult education in the United States. Covers history of adult education from the colonial period to today. Includes major philosophies that guide adult education. Ties together the efforts of change agents as they worked to create change in individuals, organizations, and community/society through adult education.

Prerequisite(s): ADED 510 (may be taken concurrently)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ADED 590    Practicum in Adult Education    1-3 Hours

Supervised practical experience related to adult education studies. Note: Completion of 18 hrs in MAE Adult Education including all core courses except capstone required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Adult Education (047)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

ADED 597    Directed Study in Adult Education    3 Hours

Directed study related to best practices in adult education. Requires completion of research or applied project on approved topic. Note: Completion of least 21 hrs in program including all core requirements required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Adult Education (047)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ADED 598    Adult Education Seminar    3 Hours

Issues in the field of adult education. Topics will vary with faculty and student interest.

Prerequisite(s): ADED 510

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ADED 599    Thesis Research and Writing    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Independent research on a topic related to Adult Education.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Adult Education (047)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

ADED 600    Maintaining Matriculation    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

One to six hours for ADED students needing to maintain matriculation.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022

Educational Administration Courses

EDAD 507    Educational Leadership Policies and Politics    3 Hours

Designed to equip students with analytical skills for confronting leadership issues that require the application or creation of policy in diverse settings. Examines the exercise of political power in education and the impact of politics on managing and leading educational institutions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2023; spring 2024

EDAD 583    Accounting for Pupil Personnel    3 Hours

Emphasizes the responsibilities of directors of pupil personnel, problems of personnel accounting, and records and reports related to the Minimum Foundation Program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 585    Fundamentals of School Administration    3 Hours

Organization and administration of American schools. Principles of effective leadership and the roles and responsibilities of administrative supervisory positions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 588    Allocation and Use of Resources    3 Hours

Effective operation of the fiscal and business aspects of school administration in the educational program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 590    Administration of School Personnel    3 Hours

Allocation of human resources to accomplish the purposes of the school organization.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 594    Leading Innovative Educational Programs    3 Hours

Principles and practices of leadership in the development and operation of innovative educational programs in areas such as career and technical education, counseling, curricular and extracurricular programs, and special education.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 596    Readings in Education Administration    1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Reading and research in an area of individual interest. Supervised by the major professor.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 597    Problems in Educational Administration and Supervision    3 Hours

Students will participate in online learning and field experiences requiring them to apply course and program learning to solving problems of educational administration and supervision in diverse real-world contexts.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2024

EDAD 598    Field-Based Experience in Educational Administration    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Clinical experiences with practitioners in the field to acquaint the prospective administrator/supervisor with the realities of educational organizations.

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 602    Introduction to School Leadership    3 Hours

A survey of theory and research in school leadership focusing on ethical, equity-driven decision making and practice. Explores processes for vocational discernment as a school leader and tools for assessing leadership strengths and growth areas.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 603    School Law and Policy    3 Hours

An overview of the American legal system as it applies to P-12 education, Kentucky schools, and education policy.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 604    Creating a Culture of Achievement    3 Hours

This course focuses on identifying processes to create and foster a positive professional and student culture that supports a unifying purpose of learning and achievement.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 605    Leading a Community of Learners    3 Hours

This course focuses on identifying processes to create and foster a strong and healthy relationship between the school and both internal and external community stakeholders.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 606    Leading Learning Systems    3 Hours

This course will develop students’ understanding of best practices and current trends in curriculum, instruction, and assessment and prepare them to use available tools to monitor and improve the alignment and implementation of these systems to promote academic success for all students.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 607    Developing Teacher Capacity    3 Hours

This course will develop human resource leadership skills for P-12 principal candidates, emphasizing the development of teachers through evaluation, coaching, and comprehensive professional learning.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 608    Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes    3 Hours

This course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of school principals relative to managing people, processes, and data in service of a vision that ensures the safety and success of all students.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 609    Leading School Improvement    3 Hours

This course focuses on leading school improvement by using data and collaborating with others to identify problems of practice, set direction, develop people, and redesign organizational structures to ensure success for all students. Students will learn to use tools and processes associated with school improvement, multi-tiered systems of support, and other structures.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 610    Clinical Experiences in Educational Administration    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Clinical experiences that build the capacity of aspiring educational administrators to solve problems in a variety of real-world contexts.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 602 (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of B

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Instr Leadership Sch Principal (0499) , School Administration - Rank I (121) or Certification Only - Ed Ldrshp (131)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 612    Collaboration between Schools and Stakeholders for Individuals with Disabilities    3 Hours

Preparation of school leaders and teachers to work as consultants in a team model; exploration of local, state and regional agencies involved with individuals with disabilities. Supervised practicum required at designated sites.

Equivalent(s): SPED 612

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 620    Seminar in Administration of Special Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Current trends and issues in the administration and supervision of special education programs, including personnel issues, student identification issues, program assimilation and human relationships.

Equivalent(s): SPED 620

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 625    Practicum in the Administration of Special Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Supervised practice in educational organizations for persons preparing to become a Director of Special Education.

Equivalent(s): SPED 625

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

EDAD 630    Special Education Law and Finance    3 Hours

Clinical study of federal and state cases, statutes, regulations, and administrative decisions reviewing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; summer 2023; summer 2024

EDAD 639    The Superintendency    3 Hours

Function, role, and responsibilities of the school superintendent. Topics include politics and education; superintendent's relationships with the school board, central office staff, and with the state department of education; the budget process; strategic planning; and curriculum leadership. Note: Two years of school administrative experience required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

EDAD 640    Introduction to School Leadership    3 Hours

Survey course designed to provide a foundation in the concepts of school leadership, as they relate to the role of the school principal. Field work consistent with the role of the school principal is required.

Corequisite(s): EDAD 641

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Principal Level 1 (KP1) or Principal Level 2 (KP2)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 641    Building Culture and Community    3 Hours

Practical application of established tools for assessing and improving a school's culture and community with an emphasis on ethical leader behaviors. Field work consistent with the role of the school principal is required.

Corequisite(s): EDAD 640

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 642    Leveraging Community Systems and Resources    3 Hours

Organizational leadership, procedures, and structures for P-12 school improvement. Field work consistent with the role of the school principal is required.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 641

Corequisite(s): EDAD 643

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 643    Securing and Developing Staff    3 Hours

Human resources leadership for P-12 schools. Emphasizes processes and procedures in the management of educational systems, including personnel development. Field work consistent with the role of the school principal is required.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 640 and EDAD 641

Corequisite(s): EDAD 642

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 644    Creating Organizational Structures and Operations    3 Hours

Organizational leadership, procedures, and structures for P-12 school improvement. Field work consistent with the role of the school principal is required.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 642 and EDAD 643

Corequisite(s): EDAD 645

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 645    Practicing the Principalship    3 Hours

Capstone course emphasizing leading change, reflective practice, and transitioning into the principalship. Field work consistent with the role of the principal is required.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 642 and EDAD 643

Corequisite(s): EDAD 644

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 649    School System Administration    3 Hours

School system operations including finances, auxiliary services, human resources, federal and state programs, facilities, and curriculum and instruction.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

EDAD 659    Strategic Planning in Education    3 Hours

Examination of planning processes used by leaders to direct educational change and improvement. Includes strategic planning approaches designed to address macro and micro organizational goals.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022

EDAD 677    Legal Issues for Professional Educators    3 Hours

Clinical study of U.S. Constitutional, federal and state case, statutory and regulatory law, and their effects on social and political systems on the state and national level.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 682    School-Community Relations    3 Hours

Background, need, and techniques for establishing a wholesome working relationship with school-community stakeholders, with an emphasis on their involvement in school programs.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 683    Leadership for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment    3 Hours

Students will examine research and engage in best practices for developing, implementing, monitoring, and revising curriculum, instruction, and assessment; evaluate the effectiveness of current trends and practices in schools, including the concepts of prioritization, power standards, unpacking and mapping standards using learning targets, formative assessment, and understand the role of school principals in the leading, monitoring, and supporting these processes.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 606 or EDAD 607

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 684    Instructional Leadership    3 Hours

Identification of practices and characteristics of supervisors and administrators, relative to curriculum and instruction, that have been shown to significantly improve student achievement.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 686    District-level Supervision    3 Hours

The instructional aspect of district administration: organization, problems, principles, and techniques of supervising and improving professional learning for teachers, principals, and staff.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 690    The Principalship    3 Hours

Identification and development of essential leadership practices associated with the role of principal in the contemporary school system.

Prerequisite(s): EDAD 594 and EDAD 585

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 694    Seminar in Educational Administration    3,6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Examination of current leadership practices with emphasis on the changing role of the educational administrator.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDAD 696    Advanced Organizational Theory    3 Hours

A study of historical and contemporary theory in educational administration and leadership.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 697    Independent Research/Education Ad/Sup    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Special projects in administration and supervision.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2024

EDAD 699    Independent Specialist Project    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Specialist project research and writing directed by faculty committee.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 700    Maintaining Matriculation    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Continued enrollment for specialist project completion.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 706    Educational Leadership and Reform    3 Hours

Leadership for school reform and organizational development. Study of the challenges, strategies, and application of organizational theory for P-12 executive leadership in leading systemic change initiatives.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022

EDAD 707    Educational Leadership Policies and Politics    3 Hours

Designed to equip students with analytical skills for confronting leadership issues that require the application or creation of policy in diverse settings. Examines the exercise of political power in education and the impact of politics on managing and leading educational institutions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 708    Administration of Fiscal Resources in Districts and Systems    3 Hours

Ethical concepts of school finance, school business administration, fiscal management, contemporary economic theories, and related procedures, and practices in educational institutions at the district or system levels.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 710    School Leadership and Technology Planning for School Improvement    3 Hours

Use of modern technological tools in instructional and administrative processes; evaluation of hardware and software for both instructional uses and as administrative tools.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDAD 734    School Accountability and Teacher Evaluation    3 Hours

A critical examination of K-12 school and teacher accountability models in Kentucky, the United States, and worldwide, including an introduction to statistical approaches used to link student outcomes to school and teacher quality.

Corequisite(s): EDLD 722

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

Educational Foundations Courses

EDFN 310    Global Issues in Education Policy and Practice    3 Hours

This course will focus on educational issues that transcend national boundaries promoting global awareness and multiculturalism. It will equip students from a variety of fields including education, leadership, business, economics, and political science with the analytic skills to form judgements about policies and practices, evaluate their impact, and make local connections. Colonnade/Statewide General Education Code K-LG

Prerequisite(s): 21 hours of Foundations and Explorations Courses, or junior status

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022

EDFN 500    Research Methods    3 Hours

Introduction to research methods in education, information retrieval systems, basic types of research, research procedures, research designs, and discussion of methods of data analysis to facilitate the understanding of research journals in the student's field of study.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; winter 2024; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDFN 501    Educational Statistics    3 Hours

Statistical methods including descriptive statistics, sampling, probability, and correlation.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

EDFN 576    Issues and Trends in Education    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Selected issues and problems in contemporary society, their impact upon the educational system, and the possible role of the educational system in resolving such problems.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDFN 603    Qualitative Research in Education    3 Hours

Qualitative research for graduate students within the educational setting. Includes the foundational theory of qualitative research, methodological designs and techniques of data collecting, analysis, and reporting.

Prerequisite(s): EDFN 500

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024

EDFN 612    Seminar in Community College Teaching    3 Hours (repeatable max of 9 hrs)

Study of issues and topics critical to the teaching success of potential community college faculty.

Prerequisite(s): ADED 611 or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 675    Higher Education in America    3 Hours

History, purpose, philosophy, organization, curriculum, student personnel services, financial services, and trends of the American system of higher education.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 685    Issues in Higher Education    3 Hours

Major problem areas of academic administration with emphasis on issues and procedures of college and university level curricular development.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 703    Field Methods for Qualitative Research    3 Hours

Developing and conducting qualitative research.

Prerequisite(s): EDFN 603

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 712    Research Methods and Design for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Quantitative and qualitative research methods and design; survey design and administration; and analysis of research reports.

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Doctoral Program.

Equivalent(s): EDLD 712

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 722    Measurement and Survey Methods for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Examination of psychometric properties of measurement instruments used in leadership research; data collection and analysis methods used in survey research; issues related to validity, reliability, and fairness; approaches to evaluate the desired properties of research tools; and quantitative data analysis.

Prerequisite(s): EDFN 501 or permission of instructor

Equivalent(s): EDLD 722

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 724    Leadership in Community and Technical Colleges    3 Hours

The nature of community and technical colleges, their relationship to four-year institutions, their potential for serving work force needs, and the role of the postsecondary administrator in these settings.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 726    Change Theory and Practice    3 Hours

Study of how effective change takes place in organizations as both internal and external forces influence institutions. Resistance to change and how to overcome these barriers will also be addressed, as well as how these changes affect the culture of the organization.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; spring 2023

EDFN 728    Postsecondary Economics and Finance    3 Hours

Postsecondary finance issues, including sources/distribution of funding, financial aid programs, declining resources, budgeting and managing resources, and generating resources.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 732    Program Evaluation for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Program evaluation theory, methods, and practices with a focus on the practical craft of evaluation research; discussion of theoretical and strategic issues of program evaluation; application of quantitative and qualitative research methods to program evaluation contexts.

Prerequisite(s): EDLD 722 or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Doctoral Program may not enroll.

Equivalent(s): EDLD 732

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDFN 740    Intermediate Statistics and Design    3 Hours

Content will include multiple linear regression, generalized linear models, analysis of variance, and research design.

Prerequisite(s): (EDLD 722 and EDLD 732) or permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022; spring 2024; fall 2024

EDFN 744    Seminar in Advanced Research Methods    3 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)

Advanced topics in research, evaluation, statistics or measurement applied to educational or social and behavioral science problems.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Equivalent(s): EDLD 744

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2024

Educational Leadership Courses

EDLD 702    Educational Leadership Doctoral Program Orientation    3 Hours

An introduction to key concepts of educational leadership and research with emphasis on foundational knowledge and skill development, as well as program, research, and professional development planning.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; fall 2023; fall 2024

EDLD 710    Leadership Theories and Ethics    3 Hours

Theory and research on leadership, ethics and managerial effectiveness. Topics include: leadership and management, power and influence, trait theories, current and seminal leadership theories, delegation and shared decision making, as well as morality and ethics for leaders, and current trends in leadership research.

Prerequisite(s): EDLD 702

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Doctoral Program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2024

EDLD 712    Research Methods and Design for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Quantitative and qualitative research methods and design; survey design and administration; and analysis of research reports.

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Doctoral Program.

Equivalent(s): EDFN 712

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; spring 2024

EDLD 720    Individual and Group Issues in Leadership    3 Hours

Theory and application of leadership issues in organizational behavior, including motivation, attitudes, group process, problem solving, decision making, conflict management, and interpersonal communication.

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Doctoral Program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2024

EDLD 722    Measurement and Survey Methods for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Examination of psychometric properties of measurement instruments used in leadership research; data collection and analysis methods used in survey research; issues related to validity, reliability, and fairness; approaches to evaluate the desired properties of research tools; and quantitative data analysis.

Prerequisite(s): EDFN 501 or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Doctoral Program.

Equivalent(s): EDFN 722

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; fall 2024

EDLD 730    Leading the Organization    3 Hours

Leadership for organizational improvement. Theory and application of systems, communication, culture, change and organizational design, and organizational development.

Restriction(s): Students with a semester level of Doctoral Program may not enroll.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2024

EDLD 732    Program Evaluation for Educational Leaders    3 Hours

Program evaluation theory, methods, and practices with a focus on the practical craft of evaluation research; discussion of theoretical and strategic issues of program evaluation; application of quantitative and qualitative research methods to program evaluation contexts.

Prerequisite(s): EDLD 722 or permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Doctoral Program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022

EDLD 744    Seminar in Advanced Research Methods    3 Hours (repeatable max of 12 hrs)

Advanced topics in research, evaluation, statistics or measurement applied to educational or social and behavioral science problems.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Equivalent(s): EDFN 744

Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022

EDLD 794    Educational Leadership Seminar    3 Hours (repeatable max of 15 hrs)

Seminar in topics and current trends related to educational leadership. Seminars that represent different topics may be repeated for credit with advisor permission.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; fall 2024

EDLD 795    Advanced Topics in Educational Leadership    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Individualized independent study in educational leadership. Note: Permission of Director of Education Leadership Doctoral Program required. May be repeated for credit, but no more than six hours may be applied toward the EdD Educational Leadership program.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; fall 2022; summer 2023

EDLD 796    International Aspects of Educational Leadership    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Experiential study of international issues in educational leadership by working with international communities and agencies within or outside the U.S. Note: Permission of Director of Educational Leadership Doctoral Program required. May be repeated for credit, but no more than six hours may be applied toward the EdD Educational Leadership program. International travel may be required at student's expense.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

EDLD 797    Dissertation Seminar    3 Hours

A seminar designed to assist students in conceptualizing and developing the research for their dissertation. Emphasizes writing and research skills needed to complete the prospectus and begin writing the dissertation. Note: Admission to candidacy or permission of Director of Educational Leadership Doctoral Program required.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: summer 2022; winter 2023; summer 2023; spring 2024

EDLD 798    Educational Leadership Doctoral Program Internship    3-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Internship or experiences designed in coordination with program advisor to enhance knowledge and skills related to educational leadership.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

EDLD 799    Dissertation Research    1-8 Hours (repeatable max of 30 hrs)

Research undertaken to complete requirements for Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

EDLD 800    Maintain Matriculation    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Continued enrollment for dissertation completion. Note: Completion of dissertation credit hours required.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Educational Leadership (0010)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

EDLD 999    Doctoral Pre-Orientation    0 Hours

No course description is available

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

Leadership Courses

LEAD 500    Effective Leadership Studies    3 Hours

An in-depth investigation of the basics of effective leadership including current and historical leadership theories. Assessment of leadership styles will be a key component.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

LEAD 525    Leadership Ethics    3 Hours

Study of contemporary ethical issues facing leaders with an emphasis on examining and analyzing ethical issues for sound solutions.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

LEAD 530    Organizational Change    3 Hours

A course of advanced study of planned and unplanned change at the individual and group level as well as the significance leadership plays in change. Various skills and methodologies of leadership theories will be discussed to better understand change through leadership.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

LEAD 540    Leading Teams    3 Hours

Study of issues impacting team leaders and members; emphasis on examining and analyzing solutions for effective team leadership.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

LEAD 550    Leadership in Global Context    3 Hours

Study and analysis of cultural imipacts on successful leadership in various global areas. Focus on cultural theories and models that influence leadership across contexts.

Recent Term(s) Offered: winter 2022; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

LEAD 560    Applied Research Methods in Organizational Leadership    3 Hours

This course examines applied research methods used to develop solutions to questions and issues faced by leaders in organizations.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023; fall 2024

LEAD 565    Leadership Coaching within Organizations    3 Hours

This course is designed to develop organizational leadership coaching skills within the organization to improving the performance and efficiency of not only individuals but the productivity of the organization. This course also includes an emphasis on experiential learning through coaching practice activities.

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; winter 2023; spring 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; fall 2024

LEAD 575    Leadership Special Topics    3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Applications of leadership theories and methodologies in selected fields, including the sciences, engineering, urban planning, the arts, public health, education, and business, and for study abroad programs.

Prerequisite(s): LEAD 500

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

LEAD 580    Leading Organizations    3 Hours

Focuses on the leadership principles, concepts, and ethics for leading organization and creating value in organizations from a macro perspective. Topics include: understanding various types of organizations, creating and casting an organizational vision, how political leadership dynamics affect organizations, organizational culture and values, how diversity and globalization affect organizations, strategic and succession planning, and social responsibility applied at a macro level.

Prerequisite(s): (LEAD 500)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024

LEAD 595    Contemporary Issues in Leadership    3 Hours

This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of contemporary issues from a Leadership perspective. Specifically, students will apply leadership theories, models, and approaches to contemporary issues to analyze the issue's impact on organizations.

Prerequisite(s): LEAD 500

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024

LEAD 597    Capstone in Leadership Studies    3 Hours

Course is designed for individual student analysis of a topic of interest relative to contemporary organizations. Project will be comprehensive and multidisciplinary in approach, thereby requiring integration of concepts from various disciplines included in the program.

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

LEAD 598    Independent Study in Organizational Leadership    1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)

Individual research, literature review or professional development project in a specific area of leadership, in close cooperation with supervising faculty.

Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor

Recent Term(s) Offered: None

LEAD 600    Capstone in Leadership Experience    3-6 Hours

This course will provide students with a culminating experience to integrate the major topics studied in the discipline, demonstrate their mastery of the curriculum, and apply their leadership skills in organizational contexts and settings. Note: Completion of all other courses in the Organizational Leadership graduate certificate required.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students in Organizational Leadership (1723)

Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023; spring 2024; summer 2024; fall 2024