The program provides broad experiences that allow leaders to bring many different perspectives to bear on the organizational problems and opportunities which confront them in practice. The Department s academic programs are guided by the College of Education s conceptual framework and are organized around three specific academic components Foundational Knowledge Base, Professional Knowledge Base, and Experiential Learning. In the Department of Educational Leadership, leadership forms the foundation for all programs. The Department focuses its foundational knowledge base on the following leadership knowledge domains. Leadership - Leadership is a relationship between leaders and followers who work together toward common goals to effect change in an ethical way.
Leaders continually organize to ensure that goals are accomplished.
Leaders must develop their own minds in systems terms and see their organizations holistically, so they may transfer knowledge from one setting to another. They must develop skills and a capacity to envision the future and be able to find opportunities within and without their organizations. An appreciation of the unique missions of various types of institutions of higher education requires an understanding of the current social contexts in which they operate. Program participants will acquire a strong foundation in these areas. Institutional Mission - The core missions of contemporary institutions of higher education are teaching, research, and service.