Emphasizes organizational leadership and instructional supervision. Includes coursework that qualifies students for Georgia Leadership certification.
Want to become certified school or district administrators (e.g., principals, superintendents) and are pursuing state credentialing.
PK–12 school leadership, central office administration, leadership roles requiring certification.
Focuses on educational leadership as it intersects with policy. Examines legal, psychological, and political dimensions of leadership. Does not lead to certification.
Are interested in education policy analysis, governance, and advocacy, but do not need licensure for PK–12 roles.
Policy analysts, education think tanks, university faculty, non-profits, government education agencies.
Examines educational leadership in relation to urban education and the issues associated with educating urban children.
Want to develop a deeper understanding of leadership in urban school contexts and explore the challenges faced by urban educational environments.
Leadership roles in urban school settings, research on urban education systems, or doctoral-level teaching focused on urban educational issues.
Note: These two courses provide the foundational leadership theory and diversity perspectives that are essential across all three specializations.
| Course Title | Administration | Policy | Urban Ed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPEL 8020 - Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| EPEL 8260 - Theory in Educational Leadership | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| EPEL 8000 - Research in Educational Leadership and Organizational Culture | ✓ | — | — |
| EPEL 8330 - Advanced Law, Policy, and Governance | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| EPEL 8420 - Advanced Instructional Leadership | ✓ | — | — |
| EPEL 8500 - Central Office Leadership | ✓ | — | — |
| EPEL 8620 - Psychological Aspects of Leadership | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| EPEL 8650 - The Principal | ✓ | — | — |
| EPEL 8690 - Research-Based Decision Making for School Leaders | ✓ | — | — |
| EPEL 8970 - Seminar in Educational Leadership | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| EPS 8360 - Educational Policy Making and Analysis | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| EPS 8800 - Independent Study | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| EPS 8810 - Directed Reading and Research | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| EPS 8970 - Seminar in Educational Policy Studies | — | ✓ | — |
| EPS 9980 - Research Seminar in Educational Policy Studies | — | ✓ | — |
| EPSF 8280 - Anthropology of Education | — | ✓ | — |
| EPSF 8320 - Politics and Policy in Education | — | ✓ | — |
| EPSF 8630 - Critical Policy Studies | — | ✓ | — |
| EPEL 9000 - Concepts of Leadership and Research in Educational Leadership | — | — | ✓ |
| EPEL 9970 - Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership | — | — | ✓ |
| EPSF 8010 - Cultural Studies in Education: Film | — | — | ✓ |
| EPSF 8040 - Cultural Studies in Education: Gender | — | — | ✓ |
| EPSF 8260 - Sociology of Inner-City Children | — | — | ✓ |
| EPSF 8340 - History of American Education | — | — | ✓ |
| EPSF 8640 - Critical Race Theory and Urban Education | — | — | ✓ |
Ask yourself:
1. Do I need Georgia Leadership Certification?
→ If yes, choose Leadership and Administration.
2. Am I more interested in policy and systems than direct school leadership?
→ Choose Leadership and Policy.
3. Is my work centered on leadership in urban contexts?
→ Choose Leadership and Urban Education.