ADMISSION INFORMATION

Applicants for the K12 School Leadership LICENSURE ONLY program must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Completed master’s degree (from the field of education), with a 3.0 GPA or higher;
• Current Utah Professional Educator License;
• MINIMUM—5+ years’ experience as a licensed educator (teacher, social worker, counselor, etc.) in a public, charter, or private

IMPORTANT:  Please select program option: Educational Leadership and Policy MED  and then  Area of Interest: K12 School Leadership

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR FALL SEMESTER 2025 is July 1

*ELP will reimburse the late fee with purchase of a course textbook

Please upload the following under the appropriate sections on the application:

Specifics to ELP Department Admission Information

1. Statement of Intent

Explain why you have chosen school administration as a future career path. In what ways have you  demonstrated leadership potential as an educator? Describe how the University of Utah program will meet your needs as a student and future leader. Please limit your response to 400 words or less.

2. Written Essay – please respond to both prompts.

Prompt #A: Describe a time in which you feel you have made a positive impact to a student’s learning through the lens of student advocacy.  Please limit your response to 300 words or less.

Prompt #B: The University of Utah ELP program emphasizes the importance of school leaders who can understand and empower schools in providing safe, positive, learning environments. How would you describe yourself as a school leader in creating this environment for students and teachers? Provide examples. Please limit your response to 500 words or less.

3. Resume. Submit a resume that outlines your educational professional Be specific in the roles you have had that demonstrate leadership potential (i.e., experiences as department chair, committee chair, specialist assignments, professional development leader/coach, etc.)
4. Recommendation Forms. All letters will need to address your leadership capabilities and potential. All letters must address your leadership capabilities and potential.

• a confidential letter of recommendation from your current supervisor.
• in addition, two other letters of recommendation from either a supervisor (current or previous) or a professional colleague.

5. Most recent copy of your educator EVALUATION and copy of a current Utah Educator License

Screening Interview - selected applicants will be invited to a zoom interview w/admission committee

Applicants are responsible to ensure that all application materials are provided on or prior to the application semester deadline. Applications that are incomplete at the application deadline may not be considered.

If you have questions or concerns at any time please contact the program director, Dr. Shari Fraser at 801.512.4469 or shari.fraser@utah.edu

Licensure Only Program of Study

ELP 6120 (3)  Evidence Informed Learning for Leadership  (Fall Semester)

The ability to “use data”—to gather, organize, analyze, and present data to plan, execute, and monitor school improvement—is increasingly recognized as a critical skill for education professionals. This course is designed to help education leaders learn the basic concepts of data literacy, applied data analysis, and data-informed decision-making to lead data use and equitable improvement planning within their organizations.

ELP 6021 (3)  Systems Thinking and Student Support  (Fall Semester)

This course solidifies students’ leadership perspective with adopting and developing the thinking and practices of systems and supports. Specific systems will include Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for behavior and academics, school wide behavior management system (PBIS), teacher support, and a school wide culture that supports these systems

ELP 6350 (3)  Leadership for Teaching and Learning  (Spring Semester)

This course introduces students to concepts of instructional leadership with a concentration in applied practice in the areas of observation, evaluation and supervision. The intent of this course is to expose students to the theories, principles and practices of instructional leadership, adult learning theory and developing a positive, effective, school wide learning environment.

ELP 6412  (3) Designing Professional Learning  (Spring Semester)

This course prepares educational leaders to develop powerful, research-based professional learning opportunities to generate equitable outcomes for organizational change and school improvement. Students will experience professional learning designs as they learn to select, design, and facilitate learning opportunities for individuals and groups in their schools.

ELP 6230 (3)  Ethics Law and Policy   (Summer Semester)

This course introduces the legal principles and laws affecting the administration and management of K-12 schools with an emphasis on special education law and policy.  The course will focus on the interplay of legal and ethical decision-making within leadership practice.

ELP 6420 (3)  Leveraging Educational Resources (Summer Semester)

This course is designed to prepare students to utilize, manage and administer educational resources at the school level.  Students will examine the trends, issues, scope and practices of school finance, personnel administration and time management.  A focus will be placed on understanding the analysis of issues involved in the alignment of a shared vision and the planning and strategies to guide educational resource allocation.

ELP 6710 (9)  Leadership for Learning Practicum (Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters)

The Leadership Practicum is the fieldwork experience for administrative licensure candidates. It combines a hybrid model seminar with field experiences that supports progress towards completion of all components designed to meet ELP Department expectations and USBE School Leadership Licensure requirements.

Program Information Meetings

TBD

Meetings will be held via Zoom:

https://utah.zoom.us/j/94515495704

For more details, please contact
Shari Fraser, Program Director at shari.fraser@utah.edu.