Department of Educational Leadership and Policy
Educational policies are matters for local and national debate. But one thing is clear: More than ever, the system requires strong, reliable and capable leadership with a sense of history, a vision for the future and the ability to execute that vision. Our graduates lead like this every day.
“Our mission is simple: to prepare educational leaders, researchers and policymakers to identify, understand and solve complex problems facing education—particularly related to the inequitable distribution of opportunities by race, class, gender and national origin in a global context.”
— Margaret Sallee, PhD, Chair and Professor
Who We Become
Our alumni go on to become educational leaders and policy makers in areas like Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management and Residence life, just to name a few. They are solving problems at all levels of education, reflecting the comprehensive opportunities provided during their time at UB.
Available Funding
Thanks to scholarships, fellowships and other funding opportunities, a GSE education is closer than you think. On top of that, our tuition and fees are among the lowest and most competitive in the nation.
Proudly Accredited
The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy offers programs accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Programs in Our Department
Our doctoral programs, master’s programs, certification programs and undergraduate minor prepare students for positions of influence and leadership, whether they work in public schools, colleges and universities or government agencies.
Research That Makes a Difference
Our faculty lead the way in giving institutions new tools to face pressing challenges. While their research in areas such as educational access and equity, multicultural competence and other urgent topics often has global roots, it has global impact.
Filipino students are nearly 60% less likely to major in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields than other Asian American students—a finding that shatters the “model minority” myth and highlights a need to focus on underrepresented populations.
Refugees and displaced students are often living through lasting trauma—and schools need to provide not only additional mental health services but also multilingual staff who can bridge that divide, UB researchers found.
Educators can improve the experiences of Black children in schools by celebrating their cultural identity rather than stifling and punishing it. Black girls, especially, could benefit from practices known as “motherwork,” a term that describes culturally responsive school leadership.
Work Alongside Experts
Our faculty are internationally known experts in their disciplines, deeply engaged with the communities they serve.