About the Program
Program Features
The doctoral program in Educational Leadership
and Policy Studies is an applied research program for professionals
serving in educational leadership positions in preK-12 schools, colleges, healthcare, law enforcement, and
social service organizations. The program seeks to produce
leaders who can construct and apply knowledge to make a positive
difference in the lives of individuals, families and communities
through promoting excellence in:
- leadership and change strategies in and across
organizations;
- development of learning organizations in response
to social issues;
- design, implementation and supervision of applied
research in education;
- interpretation and application of recent research
findings;
- understanding of broad social issues and policies
from the perspectives of justice, equity,
and diversity;
- analysis of policy in preK-12 through high school education, law enforcement, healthcare, and social services;
- effective management and collaboration skills.
The Cohort Model
The Ed.D. at the University of Vermont has been
designed as a cohort model. In this approach, a new group of no more than 20 students will be
admitted each year. Each cohort group proceeds through
the
first two years of the program together, enrolling in the required
courses. Program faculty
assist each cohort to develop into an effective learning community
where students challenge and support one another. We believe that a
cohort approach for adult learners fosters a spirit of community,
maintains commitment, and leads to
a higher completion rate as compared to other approaches to
doctoral studies. In addition, the composition of the cohort
represents a variety of specialized interests including Pre-K-12
education, higher education, law enforcement, healthcare and social services. Through
knowledge acquisition, research, spirited dialogue and collaboration,
students form lifelong professional relationships that often span
decades.
