Doctoral program students

Welcome to the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Program at UVM

Leadership and policy studies in education requires a complex understanding of educational institutions, politics, culture, change processes, and the needs of an increasingly diverse and global world.

Central to our program is the belief that the study of leadership and policy studies requires building and sustaining communities of learning between practitioners, researchers and the communities they serve. Faculty in our doctoral programs develop change agents who can construct and apply knowledge to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

“Working with my doctoral cohort and professors, I am experiencing immediate shifts and growth in my approaches to leadership." – Andrew Conforti, Colchester High School Principal

Learn about our nationally recognized Ed.D. and Ph.D. programs in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies:

Visit the Ed.D. Program Page

Visit the Ph.D. Program Page

  • Hans Cabra and Lori Dolezal

    Spotlight on our Recent Graduates

    "The strength of the department’s faculty and researchers as well as the infrastructure to support high-quality research drew me to apply to this program. Four years later, I can honestly say that the program surpassed all my expectations. I am truly happy to be a Catamount.” - Hans Cabra, Ph.D. 

    "Equity and social justice drive my personal purpose and the purpose of our agency's work with constituent school systems. I strive to be a leader who can make a difference across our public PreK-12 educational system. My bi-directional professional and academic experiences helped me make direct connections between research, theory, and practice." - Lori Dolezal, Ed.D.

    Full Story: Agents of Change in Education

"I am eternally grateful for the commitment of the faculty as I felt truly cared for as a student and professional. They had an unwavering commitment to my overall success.” – Nicholas Negrete, Ed.D.