Curriculum Overview

ELJ 700 - Leadership for Justice -Self (3)
This course will introduce candidates to the program and the liberatory/justice leadership framework providing the foundation. In this course, exploration of leadership models, positionality, intersectionality, purpose and leadership identity for enacting leadership using a justice lens begins for each candidate. (Summer Year 1)

ELJ 705 - Leadership for Justice - Organizations (3)
This course will focus on candidates identifying key aspects of their organization that are critical to justice leadership. Data driven decision-making, utilization of all sources of data and information and the identification of actions to promote justice will be addressed. (Summer Year 1)

ELJ 710 - Leadership for Systems Thinking (3)
Leadership for Systems Thinking takes candidates deeper into the context of their own organization to analyze their systems and the framing that guides them. In addition, this course focuses on the implications identified as structural, social, and psychological barriers. (Fall Year 1)

ELJ 715 - Leadership for Praxis (3)
This course is focused on the identification of justice focused relational obligations, accountability, governance and communication within organizations. (Fall Year 1)

ELJ 760 - Research Design (3)
Examination of research methodologies including ethical and foundational aspects of educational research as applied in justice-focused leadership practices. Topics include research skills, identifying educational problems, evaluating research, understanding qualitative and quantitative research literature, and IRB. The CITI (Institutional Review Board Process) is completed. (Fall Year 1)

ELJ 720 - Leadership for Participatory Liberation (3)
Leadership for Participatory Liberation is designed to build candidates knowledge and capacity to address systemic racism in their organization. The course will focus on aspects of racism and its manifestation in beliefs, values and inequitable stances present in their workplace. (Spring Year 1)

ELJ 725 - Leadership for Supportive and Inclusive Communities (3)
This course asks candidates to focus on themselves, their organization, and the larger community that they serve. Utilizing the mindset and moves of liberatory leadership, candidates examine their values, principles, and ethics using supportive, inclusive, and humanizing practices. (Spring Year 1)

ELJ 771 - Research Seminar I (1)
A seminar-format course designed to introduce students to the academic and reflective writing skills needed for dissertation proposals. (Spring Year 1)

ELJ 730 - Assessments, Evaluation, and Program Design (3)
This course will introduce candidates to program evaluation and the cyclical nature of assessing processes and structures to investigate organizations’ areas of strength and challenges for internal change and improvement. (Summer Year 2)

ELJ 762 - Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (3)
Advanced hypothesis testing using quantitative methods, including research designs used to dismantle inequities. Statistical analyses using t-test, analysis of variance, factorial analysis of variance, multiple regression, and chi-square, with an emphasis on research questions addressing justice focused interpretations of results. (Summer Year 2)

ELJ 772 - Research Seminar II (1)
A seminar-format course designed to develop students’ academic and reflective writing skills for doctoral students preparing to write their dissertation proposals. (Summer Year 2)

ELJ 735 - Politically Intelligent Leadership (3)
This course will teach candidates how to interpret and utilize laws and policies to better understand political structures (organization), Justice Leadership, and their responsibility as a justice leader. (Fall Year 2)

ELJ 764 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (3)
In-depth study of qualitative research methods, analysis and interpretation for understanding and application to advance change in leadership that supports equity and justice. Ethnographic interviews, participant and naturalistic observation, document analysis and other qualitative data analyses will be emphasized. (Fall Year 2)

ELJ 773 - Research Seminar III (1)
A seminar-format course designed to advance doctoral students’ academic and reflective writing skills, following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. (Fall Year 2)

ELJ 740 - Leadership for Learning, Development, and Organizational Transformation (3)
This course focuses on the human potential within organizations for sustainable growth based on relational aspects and formulating a plan for individual and collective growth. (Spring Year 2)

ELJ 766 - Action Research Design (3)
Exploration of the principles and methods used in participatory action research, including using mixed methods, review of current research, full participation of research participants, validity, ethical issues, data collection, and social action for social justice. (Spring Year 2)

ELJ 774 - Research Seminar IV (1)
A seminar-format course designed to advance doctoral students’ academic and reflective writing skills, including their writing, and their proposed data collection plan for their dissertation following American Psychological Association guidelines. (Spring Year 2)

ELJ 745 - Cosmopolitan Leadership (4)
Candidates revisit their positionality as researchers, leaders, and members of the global community ensuring that they foster a culture of authenticity and liberation in their organizations. Candidates will self-interrogate to clarify their leadership growth and experiences in the program. (Summer Year 3)

ELJ 775 - Research Seminar V (1)
A seminar-format course designed to enhance students’ skills in critiquing theirs and others’ academic writing for their dissertation proposal, and in explaining research for justice in leadership. (Summer Year 3)

ELJ 780 - Dissertation Seminar I (3)
In this course candidates develop a dissertation that identifies an educational issue or practice within a particular community; review professional literature from multiple disciplinary perspectives; design appropriate research methodology to investigate the issue; and begin data collection. (Fall Year 3)

ELJ 785 - Dissertation Writing I (3)
This course is designed for dissertation chairs and their candidates to work together to engage in dissertation development and writing. (Fall Year 3)

ELJ 781 - Dissertation Seminar II (3)
In this course candidates develop their dissertation with ongoing, supported advising on data analysis, implications, and conclusions. This course will also support their oral and written dissertation defense. (Spring Year 3)

ELJ 786 - Dissertation Writing I (3)
This course is designed for dissertation chairs and their candidates to work together to engage in dissertation development and writing. (Spring Year 3)