Leadership for Learning Program

The Leadership for Learning (L4L) doctorate in education program (Ed.D.) at the University of Washington believes that through collective leadership action we can reimagine, redesign, and realize educational systems that truly lead to justice for communities across the State of Washington.

The three-year program is designed for practicing educational leaders currently serving in PK-12 school systems or other education-related systems who seek to expand and strengthen their leadership practice. To realize our shared goals, we use a rigorous curriculum to engage with a cohort of like-minded educational leaders committed to disrupting and transforming systems in partnership with students, families, and communities.  

All L4L students work toward common leadership standards while collaborating with each other and faculty to tailor their work to their own career goals, which may include State of Washington Superintendent or Program Administrator certification. Upon completion of the program, students earn a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.). 

Recognized as an Exemplary Educational Leadership Program by the national University Council for Educational Administration, L4L is part of the UW College of Education, which is ranked among the top 10 universities nationally for educational administration.

Engage With Real-World Educational Challenges & Opportunities
The Leadership for Learning program builds your capacity to lead no matter what your educational role. Develop into an effective, systems-focused leader by engaging with a rigorous, standards-based curriculum that focuses on real-world challenges and opportunities. Through a three-year, equity-focused curriculum, candidates deepen conceptual knowledge and practical skills to effectively lead not just the systems we have but the systems we need to deliver real results for each and every student. Rigorous, job-embedded assignments and an in-depth internship designed to extend practice to new settings help candidates enact new ideas in real time, deepen their own leadership practice, and develop ongoing learning and growth strategies to realize educational justice. 

Experience Cohort Learning With a Personal Focus
L4L candidates learn from world-class faculty and leading experts in the field, who come together to design and deliver a cohesive program of study tailored to the needs of equity-focused educational leaders. L4L candidates join a diverse cohort of dynamic educational leaders from across the state who learn and lead together as a collective both within and beyond the program, as they strive to disrupt inequitable practices and transform our systems towards justice.