Program Overview

Educational Leadership Program Overview

The UCLA Educational Leadership Program (ELP) is committed to promoting innovative and change-oriented educational leaders. The program combines a commitment to urban leadership development and creating equitable and accessible PreK-16 opportunities. ELP strives for student-focused teaching and learning centered around racial equity and cultural competence.

Guiding Principles

• Commitment to merging theory and practice to address leadership challenges in educational organizations
• Commitment to advancing social justice, through a focus on anti-racism
• Appreciation and understanding of diversity
• Ability to conduct rigorous empirical inquiry and to use the data to understand complex issues
• Ability to build teams and work collaboratively in complex organizations
• Self-reflection and work, particularly of own racial biases

Program at a Glance

• Three-year program (inclusive of dissertation)
• Thursday Evening and Saturday Courses
• Cohort Model of 24-30 PK-16 Mid-Career Education Professionals
• Application Deadline to join Cohort 30: February 1, 2025

Cohort Model and Curriculum

Cohort Model

ELP’s collaborative, cohort-based model embodies the theory that knowledge is constructed not imparted. Intimate, one-on-one and small group exchanges with faculty allow these competencies to grow in a supportive community, to create a cohort of leaders prepared to change organizations from within.

Curriculum

The Educational Leadership Program is designed to deepen understanding of social justice leadership as well as complete a doctorate in three years. The ELP curriculum integrates research methods, leadership development and dissertation support over the course of three years. Courses have been strategically designed to support your growth as a practitioner-scholar. All courses are required. Electives or prior coursework cannot substitute for required courses. ELP students are not required to take electives. The curriculum is subject to change, but we will notify you of any amendments as needed.

Dissertation Information

The dissertation is the capstone accomplishment of participation in the Educational Leadership Program. Students are required to complete a dissertation that describes their own independent research in a significant problem of practice. By working on real issues, students learn to apply research methods and theory in the service of improving educational practice and producing usable knowledge.

Self-Supporting Degree Program

The Educational Leadership Program is a self-supporting degree program. Such programs allow UCLA to serve students above and beyond those supported by state funds and fulfill demonstrated higher education and workforce needs. More information about self-supporting programs and current tuition and fees for ELP can be found at the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Application Overview

1. A minimum of five years, full-time professional experience in PreK-16 education or educational related field
2. Current full-time employment
3. Leadership experience and leadership potential
4. Strong analytical, writing, and speaking skills
5. Three strong letters of recommendation including one from a supervisor
6. At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
7. Professional goals that are consistent with those of the program, which emphasizes equity and access across the PreK-16 education continuum
8. Ability to engage in a cohort model consisting of educational leaders selected from all education sectors: PreK-12, community college, university and other areas related to education.

The holistic admissions review process includes:

1. The UCLA Graduate Admissions Application
2. ELP Admissions Writing Activity
3. Small Group Interview

Faculty and Team

• Tonikiaa Orange: Director, Educational Leadership Program; Director, Culture and Equity Project
• Lori Patton Davis: Professor of Education; Heyman Endowed Chair; Faculty Director, UCLA Educational Leadership Program
• Judy Miyoshi: Education Manager

Graduate Opportunities

Graduate students at UCLA Department of Education benefit from—and contribute to—the resources of the country’s number one public graduate school of education. A distinguished faculty committed to research and teaching and excellent research centers and institutes offer extraordinary opportunities for graduate endeavors. We are preparing the next generation of researchers and professionals to address some of the most pressing challenges in the field.