Educational Leadership

Explore Educational Leadership Programs at UMKC

Educational leadership is a natural next step for many teachers, but also a valuable learning opportunity for professionals working at colleges and universities and for community leaders working to improve educational opportunities in their neighborhoods and cities.

Extend Your Impact

Our programs prepare the next generation of leaders to make an impact in 21st-century schools and provide them with the skills they need to move their careers in education forward. Whether you’re looking to pursue leadership roles in PK-12 schools or higher education, or aspire to do research, we can help you get to where you want to go.

Explore Our Programs

M.A. in Educational Administration

Provides entry-level preparation for students interested in administrative roles with K-12 schools or in higher education.

Emphasis Areas Offered:


Estimated Cost: $16,909-$18,446*

Ed.S. in Educational Administration

Develop a broad understanding and gain experience across the whole professional field while acquiring in-depth knowledge in at least one specialized field in educational administration.

Emphasis Areas Offered:


Estimated Cost: $18,446*

Ed.D. in Educational Administration

Designed for students looking to become administrative leaders in urban and metropolitan school districts and colleges and universities.

Emphasis Areas Offered:


Estimated Cost: $21,521-27,670*

Ph.D. in Education

Designed for practitioners and aspiring researchers, this program examines critical issues in education and equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify potential solutions.

Emphasis Areas Offered:


Estimated Cost: $30,744*

Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations

This program is no longer accepting students. Current students can find information about their program on the School of Graduate Studies website.

Minor in Exercise Science

Designed for students pursuing careers in fitness, coaching or health promotion.

Minor in Exercise Science

Estimated Cost:$9,008**

*Based on Resident and Graduate Metro rate. For illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs may differ.
**Based on Missouri/Kansas resident, non-degree undergraduate student rate. For illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs may differ.
Explore cost of attendance for more detailed cost information.

UMKC PLUS

The UMKC department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations is proud to offer the UMKC Pathways to Leadership in Urban Schools (UMKC PLUS) program. UMKC PLUS is a two-year principal certification and master’s degree program (or Ed.S. program for those who have already earned a master’s degree in a field outside of education) for talented educators who want to become transformational school leaders.  

Explore UMKC PLUS

Meet Our Faculty and Staff

Our department faculty are experts in educational leadership, administration and policy who take the time to get to know each student and their goals. Learn more about the people who help make our department an amazing place to continue your education.

Carolyn Barber Associate Dean and Professor
Degree Coordinator, Ph.D. program in Education
Phone: 816-235-6151 Email: barberce@umkc.edu

Eric Camburn Professor
Sherman Family Foundation Endowed Chair, Director
Phone: 816-235-1293 Email: camburne@umkc.edu

Karin Chang Associate Director
Associate Research Professor
Phone: 816-235-6344 Email: k.chang@umkc.edu

Donna M. Davis Professor Phone: 816-235-5956 Email: davisdon@umkc.edu

Teresa Dilley Associate Teaching Professor, Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations Phone: 816-235-2753 Email: dilleyty@umkc.edu

Hubert Gordon Associate Professor of Professional Practice
KC-PLUS Leadership Coach
Email: hjgbmm@umkc.edu

Michelle Maher Professor Phone: 816-235-2325 Email: mahermi@umkc.edu

S. Marie McCarther Chair and Associate Professor, Department of Education, Leadership and Policy Studies
Coordinator, PK-12 Educational Administration
Phone: 816-235-2451 Email: mccarthers@umkc.edu

Alexis Petri Associate Research Professor, Director of the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence Phone: 816-235-5872 Email: petria@umkc.edu

Bradley Poos Sprint Endowed Professor in Urban Education and Associate Director in the Institute for Urban Education (IUE) Phone: 816-235-6681 Email: poosbw@umkc.edu

Tiffani Riggers-Piehl Associate Professor Phone: 816-235-2458 Email: riggers-piehlt@umkc.edu

Michele Smith Associate Professor Phone: 816-235-1141 Email: Michele.d.smith@umkc.edu

Nancy White Office Support Assistant IV Phone: 816-235-2716 Email: njwhite@umkc.edu

Huang Wu Assistant Professor, K12 Ed. Administration Phone: 816-235-2447 Email: hwu@umkc.edu