Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
Ahead of the curve
The Morgridge College of Education is proud to be one of the first colleges in the nation to offer a principal certificate, master's and doctoral degrees with a P-20 focus, preparing qualified individuals to be courageous, visionary, and transformative leaders at all levels of the education system. Specific program offerings include an academic certificate for Principal Licensure; a Master of Arts (MA), and EdD and PhD degrees in Educational Leadership. A maximum of 30 credits completed in the Educational Leadership certificate programs may be applied toward the Master's in Educational Leadership. Alternatively, some certificate program credits may be applied to the PhD degree if not used towards the Master's Degree.
Principal Preparation and Unique District Partnerships
Preparation programs for principals have been in existence at the University of Denver for a quarter of a century, and The Executive Leadership for Successful Schools (ELSS) program promises to carry on the tradition of of being a program that is highly regarded by both state and regional educational communities. This new hybrid in-person/online program is an ambitious and intensive learning experience, designed to meet the academic needs of individuals who hold a current professional educator's license and are interested in earning the principal license from the Colorado Department of Education. The 30-quarter-hour program is designed to be completed in 12 months, or 4 quarters. Learning is fostered through a blended program of interactive online study, weekend cohort workshops, and varied field experiences.
Educational Leadership and Policy Studies also offers unique principal preparation programs that are designed in partnership with local school districts. Currently, Denver Public Schools, Adams Twelve Five-Star, and the Aurora Public Schools have joined with Morgridge to offer the Ritchie Program for School Leaders to the employees in the Adams and Denver districts, and the Aurora Public Schools Leadership Academy (APSLA) to Aurora personnel. All of the principal certificate programs meet state principal licensure requirements and are approved by the Colorado Department of Education.
Degree programs
The MA in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is completed the year following the certificate program. Four additional courses (15 credits) and an action research project build upon the principal preparation or Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program curricula to prepare students to assume leadership roles in early childhood, elementary, and secondary educational settings.
Two doctoral degree options are now available for students. The 65-quarter-credit EdD program, focused on preparing evidence-driven, transformational leaders for districts, schools, and other educational organizations, is designed to be completed in three years. Students will build on previously completed leadership preparation coursework and field experiences. The GRE, a Master's degree, and a prior leadership preparation program (such as principal preparation, the DU Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program, or a teacher-leadership certificate program) are required to be considered for admission. Students in this program have the option of adding a 6-credit-hour internship to meet the in-field, 300 contact-hour requirement by the Colorado Department of Education for an added Administrator endorsement.
The PhD is designed to build on a solid grounding in educational leadership with intensive, advanced research training. This 90-quarter-credit program is focused on preparing future educational researchers and higher education faculty for educational leadership positions. Students in this program have the option of adding a 6-credit-hour internship to meet the in-field, 300 contact-hour requirement by the Colorado Department of Education for an added Administrator endorsement. Up to 10 credit hours from the DU Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program or principal preparation program may be applied toward the PhD degree if not already applied towards another degree. The GRE and a Master's degree are required to be considered for admission. Students in this program have the option of adding a 6-credit-hour internship to meet the in-field, 300 contact-hour requirement by the Colorado Department of Education for an added Administrator endorsement.
