Leadership, Research, & Foundations
About the Department
In the Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations, students have the opportunity to learn from accomplished faculty members who are renowned for their unwavering commitment to excellence, extensive experience in adult education, and ability to mentor and guide students on the path to becoming educational leaders.
To learn more about the faculty's expertise, research interests, and current courses, visit the Department Directory page.
Program Accreditations
Department Degrees & Programs
Undergraduate Programs
Applied Leadership, Minor
The Applied Leadership undergraduate minor engages students in leadership learning that is theoretically-grounded, organizational in focus, promotes equity and inclusion, and is applicable to their professional aspirations.
Student Affairs in Higher Education, Minor
The undergraduate minor in Student Affairs in Higher Education (SAHE) has been designed to prepare students interested in working in a helping profession, learning about college students and how to best work with them, and gaining knowledge and experience to open up career options in student affairs and higher education administration.
Adaptive Leadership Certificate
This program is designed to be a flexible education pathway for Pikes Peak region service members. It complements and enhances service members' Professional Military Education (PME) provided by their respective branches by delving more deeply into critical thinking and leader fundamentals than can be accomplished in the military. Success in the course sequence includes the acquisition of relevant professional knowledge leading to advancement, greater opportunities in their duties, and promotion.
Graduate Programs
Leadership, MA
The Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership program has been carefully designed to ensure the development of educational leaders who can transform schools into learning communities in which all members of a diverse society are accorded opportunity and respect. The curriculum has been developed on a foundation of research in the areas of organizational leadership, inclusive leadership, instructional leadership, professionalism, and data literacy. The program satisfies the accreditation requirements of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).
MA Program Concentration Options:
Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy, PhD
The PhD program in Educational Leadership, Research, and Policy is designed to meet the professional and personal needs of educational leaders in school districts, higher education institutions, and non-governmental organizations through rigorous coursework and faculty-student research labs. These experiences prepare students for the successful completion of a dissertation and professional application of leadership, research, and policy skills and knowledge.
Graduate Licensures:
Western Regional Graduate Program
Western Interstate Commission for High Education (WICHE)
The Department of Counseling & Human Services at UCCS is recognized by WICHE through their Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). This program allows anyone from the 15 states in the Western region of the USA to receive special tuition rates. To learn more about the program, please visit the WICHE website.
Exams & Licensing
Praxis Exam Information
Teaching and Leading in Colorado
The Praxis® tests help Colorado educators demonstrate their knowledge of content, pedagogy, and instructional skills for the classroom. These tests are important components of Colorado's licensure and certification process and include:
- Praxis® Subject Assessments — tests that measure general and subject-specific content knowledge that you need for beginning teaching
CDE Educator Licensing Information
State of Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Licensing
CDE continuously improves Colorado’s education system to provide students with the future skills and essential knowledge needed for success in a globally competitive world.