Elevate your impact in education! Whether you're passionate about P-12 education, adult learning, or community college leadership, we’ve got a program for you. Join us in shaping the future of education and transforming lives!
The Department of Educational Leadership at Kansas State University offers a variety of graduate programs and emphases under a broad leadership umbrella, with three major components – Educational Leadership, the development of leaders in educational settings with an emphasis on P-12 settings; Adult Learning and Leadership, the development of individuals involved in the education of adults; and Community College Leadership, the development of leaders in community college settings.
The department offers a sizable proportion of masters degree and professional license programming via online delivery. Distance-enhanced options are available in both educational leadership and adult learning and leadership.
The Department offers a full program of educational leadership graduate studies culminating in the M.S. and Ed.D. degrees. For most graduates, program focus leads to professional building or district licensure as a school principal or superintendent, exemplified by coursework school improvement, staff and curriculum development, policy analysis, educational technology, research seminars, school finance, school law, personnel administration, social justice, educational politics, school facilities, and problems-based leadership. In addition, the department cooperates with other college units to license other school professionals such as special education directors. Since the department's inception, over 600 master's degrees and nearly 400 doctoral degrees have been awarded to our alumni.
The Department offers a full program of graduate studies in adult learning and leadership, ranging from graduate certificate to M.S., Ed.D. and Ph.D. degrees. The program focus stresses both professional advancement and a greater understanding of the philosophy, scope, and nature of adult education, adult basic education and literacy, and leadership development. The curriculum provides the innovative knowledge and practices necessary to develop competencies in a constantly evolving field. The major areas of emphasis in adult learning and leadership include the following: Human Resource Development/Training, Extension Education, Community Education, and Continuing Professional Education. Since inception, nearly 3,000 masters degrees and over 400 doctoral degrees have been awarded to our alumni.
The Community College Leadership Doctorate (Ed.D.) at Kansas State University prepares leaders to meet the challenges facing today’s community colleges. Offered through the John E. Roueche Center for Community College Leadership within K-State’s College of Education, this nationally recognized program is designed for working professionals who aspire to lead transformational change in higher education. Community colleges sit at the heart of America’s educational and workforce pipeline. They provide access, opportunity and pathways to success for millions of students. But the challenges they face — from funding and equity gaps to enrollment shifts and policy pressures — require leaders who are bold, collaborative and ready to transform institutions. That’s what the Community College Leadership Doctorate (Ed.D.) at K-State is designed to do. The nationally recognized program equips current and aspiring leaders with the skills, knowledge and networks needed to drive meaningful change.
Expand your skills in the areas of adult curriculum design, learning theories, teaching methods and program evaluation with the adult learning graduate certificate.
Be better prepared to motivate, engage, build and lead effective teams with the leadership dynamics for adult learners graduate certificate.
Learn how to facilitate scholarly qualitative research from a broad social science perspective.
The Building Leadership pathway prepares educators for building-level leadership roles, including PK–12 principal licensure in Kansas.
The District Leadership pathway prepares educators for district-level leadership, including PK–12 superintendent licensure in Kansas.
Our Teacher Leadership Academies are an essential approach to preparing school leaders for leadership capacity, seamlessly merging theory and practice within a university/school district partnership.
Faculty and staff in Educational Leadership, Adult Learning and Leadership, and Community College Leadership support the Department’s mission through exemplary instruction for graduate students through meaningful research and scholarships, professional leadership and collaboration, and a commitment to promoting, understanding, and celebrating the differences of all people.