Academic Programs

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences is a professional school whose purpose is to prepare professionals for leadership roles in teaching, counseling, and administration in school and non-school settings.

Students in our programs come from a wide array of professional fields; they are teachers, counselors, administrators, professionals in non-profit organizations, military personnel, therapists, and leaders in a variety of other professional arenas.

All of our academic programs, from the undergraduate to doctoral level, are grounded in a theoretical framework that undergirds the teaching, coursework and research in each discipline. The School of Leadership and Education Sciences program areas include Leadership Studies, Marital and Family Therapy, and Counseling, as well as the Department of Learning and Teaching.

At the undergraduate level, students preparing to be teachers can apply to our teacher credential program to supplement coursework in a specific academic area or in the Diversified Liberal Arts program (which is taken in Arts and Sciences). In addition, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers undergraduates the opportunity to enroll in the Leadership Studies minor, the American Humanics Program, and several special courses designed to meet the needs and interests of all undergraduates.

The School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers several credential programs in K-12 teaching (including elementary, secondary, bilingual and special education), counseling and administration. These programs are designed to meet the credential requirements of the State of California and to provide candidates a carefully articulated curriculum that combines field experiences and instructional activities.

At the graduate level, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers a Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.), and a doctoral degree in Leadership Studies (Ph.D). In addition, we have a joint doctoral degree (Ed.D) with San Diego State University with concentrations in Literacy and Educational Technology.