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Why EOL at Illinois?
Quality Leadership - Policy and Practice
Our goal is to prepare collaborative, proactive educational leaders committed to improving the quality of leadership in a variety of rapidly changing and increasingly diverse organizational contexts. Our graduates assume leadership positions within a wide variety of educational organizations, engage in scholarly inquiry, and work to improve policies and practices.
Our Programs - A Holistic Approach
In order to fulfill our mission, we offer a range of graduate programs organized under three program areas:
The department programs are characterized by a numerous activities oriented towards a holistic approach to leadership including intellectual, moral, ethical, spiritual, and democratic aspects. These include formal courses, field experiences, research, informal learning activities, conferences, workshops, collaborations with educators in the field, and public and professional service that enhances our understanding of current educational contexts, issues, and challenges. See our calendar for a list of current events and activities.
Why do students choose to study in the Illinois Educational Organization and Leadership Department?
The Educational Organization and Leadership (EOL) department prepares reflective and responsive leaders for all levels of the educational system, with the Educational Administration and Leadership program area focusing on preparing leaders for schools and school districts, and the Higher Education program area preparing leaders for community colleges and universities. Both programs prepare professionals to assume policy-related positions at all levels, local, state, and federal. Similarly, both programs prepare individuals to assume graduate faculty positions in university-level EAL and HE programs. Our departmental faculty consistently are recognized for their research initiatives, experience base, and instructional expertise. The Educational Administration and Leadership (EAL) program area consistently is listed among the top 20 of the nation’s educational administration programs. The 2007 U.S. News and World Report currently ranks our EAL program 14th out of over 600 programs in the nation. In addition to focusing on the preparation of leaders in university settings, the Higher Education program has a long-standing commitment to community college education, through our Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL), which is sustained through funding from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Lumina Foundation, and others. The new, online Educational Leadership and Policy program will provide yet another avenue for educators who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills for a leadership position, whether PK-12 or higher education. At all levels, the department conducts programs of scholarly research and prepares individuals at the doctoral level in EAL, HE, and educational policy (P-20).
Who are our students?
In Fall 2007, the EOL department included 250 graduate students, comprising the largest graduate enrollment of the College of Education’s six departments. This number includes students enrolled on campus as well as off-campus locations. Although our enrollment is diverse, most of our students come from the United States. Currently, 67% of our student body is female, 10% are African-American, 3% are Asian, 4% are Hispanic, and 1% are international students. Our departmental strategic plan includes a goal to increase our student diversity, including US students of color and international students.
Our two departmental programs reflect the educational needs of individuals interested in study in the fields of higher education, educational administration, and leadership and policy, including those intending careers in academe, as researchers, and as educational leaders. Therefore, we offer full-time study for individuals who wish to engage in intense on-campus academic experiences, as well as part-time study for individuals who wish to maintain full-time employment while earning their degrees. Our off-campus and online programs are designed in a cohort model, completed on a part-time basis while requiring continuous enrollment each semester. Regardless of the option selected by the student—either full- or part-time study—courses are characterized by high quality learning experiences that are designed to fully prepare our students to attain their professional goals.
How competitive are admissions?
Because the number of applications can vary significantly on an annual basis, it is difficult to quantify our admissions data. However, each year, our department receives many more applications from qualified applicants than we have available openings in our two program areas. Of those students who were admitted for the 2007-08 academic year, approximately 83% accepted admissions offers. The admitted students had an average undergraduate grade point average of approximately 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Our Place in the College of Education
The EOL department is located in the College of Education, also one of the best in the nation. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is one of the top public universities in the United States, has highly regarded programs in many different disciplines, and is among the top five U.S. universities in the number of earned doctorates awarded annually. Enriching their curricular experiences, EOL students have opportunities to complete courses in other UIUC departments. The university library is the third largest library system in the United States and is completely computerized. The campus is technologically sophisticated and fully networked, with many computer laboratories as well as supercomputer facilities. The College of Education has a computer laboratory furnished with the latest computing, printing, and digitizing technologies. Many of these computers are networked locally, and most allow access to national and international networks. The rich and variety academic environment of UIUC means that students are exposed to a wide range of intellectual opportunities and substantial resources and support with which to pursue ideas. In addition, the campus is a leader in making facilities accessible for students with disabilities.
Because our faculty is deeply committed to the University of Illinois’ land grant mission, we offer programs not only on-campus, but also in off-campus locations (currently in the city of Chicago, IL and Oak Brook, IL). In addition, we are developing an online Master of Education degree program with a focus on Educational Leadership and Policy, which will begin in July 2008.
What is the community like?
The UIUC campus is contained within the two cities of Urbana and Champaign, about 135 miles south of Chicago, IL, 175 miles northeast of St. Louis, MO, and 125 miles west of Indianapolis, IN. The combined population of the Champaign-Urbana area is over 115,000 inhabitants. The community is situated in the midst of a rich agricultural area and has the feel of a small urban community. Public transportation is excellent, student housing is plentiful, and the cost of living very reasonable. The university has a student enrollment of over 41,000, with over 10,000 of these being graduate and professional students. The university has one of the finest performing arts centers in the nation, with extensive programming in music, dance, and drama. There are also extensive facilities for physical activities, fitness, and recreation, and exciting college athletic events in most of the major sports.