Educational Leadership and Policy Program Offerings
ONLINE M.ED. (SCHOOL LEADERSHIP TRACK)
Master’s Program
This program is ideal for educators seeking to progress into school leadership while learning from research faculty and educational leaders. The program provides applied experience through practicums and field experiences and includes the option to earn eligibility for Florida Level 1 Educational Leadership certification.
Online M.Ed. (SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP TRACK)
Master’s Program
This program is ideal for leaders seeking to progress into roles other than school administration, including specialized roles in systems leadership, policy and research, digital transformation, and other innovative leadership positions within an evolving education sector. This track does not include certification for school building leadership roles.
On-Campus M.Ed.
Master’s Program
This track is perfect for those who aspire to influence education at a broader level—through system-wide leadership, policy reform, or research. This track does not include certification for school building leadership roles.
Online Ed.D.
Doctorate Program
This program is ideal for current and aspiring educational leaders who seek to develop their capacity to lead organizations and inform policy and practice through research. The online Ed.D. program provides flexibility for working professionals, with two synchronous virtual meetings per semester and asynchronous coursework. The online Ed.D. program does not lead to Level 1 principal certification.
On-Campus Ph.D.
Doctorate Program
This program is ideal for future faculty members, policy analysts, and leaders looking to develop advanced policy analysis and research skill.
Graduates of this program work in a variety of policy, research, and teaching positions within state education agencies, research institutions and postsecondary institutions throughout the United States and abroad.
Online Ed.S.
Specialist Program
This program is ideal for students who already have a master’s degree but want to advance their career as a school leader through additional coursework with UF’s faculty, while gaining experience through an practicums and field experience. This program includes the option to earn eligibility for Florida Level 1 Educational Leadership certification.
Affiliated Centers and Collaboratives
Education Policy Research Center
The Education Policy Research Center (EPRC) is an independent research center housed within the College of Education at the University of Florida that stimulates and supports scholarly research on relevant and timely education policy issues and disseminates the findings widely to students, educators scholars, and policymakers.
Early Childhood Policy Centers Collaborative
The Early Childhood Policy Centers Collaborative bridges the Educational Leadership Program and Early Childhood Program as well as affiliated Centers to prepare the future of early childhood policy leaders. The Early Childhood Policy Centers Collaborative offers graduate certificate in early childhood care and education policy and serves as a research collaborative for faculty and graduate students.
Program Highlights
Educational Leadership and Policy Faculty in the News
Recent media coverage has highlighted important research and commentary from our faculty on pressing issues in education policy and practice.
Dr. Chris Thomas Awarded Prestigious NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship
The National Academy of Education (NAEd), in collaboration with the Spencer Foundation, has named Dr. Christopher Thomas as a recipient of the 2025 NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship. This distinguished fellowship supports early-career researchers whose work...
EdD Student Michael Chaires Named Florida Assistant Principal of the Year
University of Florida EdD Candidate, Michael Chaires, was named Florida Assistant Principal of the Year for 2024. This honor, awarded by the Florida Department of Education, recognizes the leadership that Chaires has provided at Palatka Jr.-Sr. High School in Putnam...