Doctor of Education in Urban Education Leaders Program
With Certification Eligibility for the NYSED School District Leader (SDL) Certificate
The Urban Education Leaders Program (UELP) is a 75-credit Ed.D. Program in Education Leadership, which is housed in the Department of Organization & Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. An executive-style leadership preparation program for aspiring urban school superintendents, central office administrators, and non-profit and advocacy organization leaders, UELP integrates historical and present-day research, theory, and practice to provide its students the knowledge and tools necessary to lead and transform complex educational systems in urban contexts and communities.
UELP students at Teachers College
Continuing TC’s longstanding commitment to social justice, UELP students engage actively with the most persistent and pressing problems of practice in the profession and prepare to make a real difference in the lives of children and families. As the first and oldest educational administration program in the country, UELP is one of the nation’s preeminent leadership preparation program. By leveraging the expertise of TC’s distinguished research faculty, accomplished practitioners, and everyday experiences of our students, UELP is deeply committed to the scholarship of discovery, integration, teaching, and application in ways that are essential to effective and transformative leadership practice.
UELP is a part-time cohort program serving students who work-full time as mid-level or mid-career school administrators and have a combined 8-12 years of teaching and leadership experience. More specifically, students meet for face-to-face class sessions Monday through Friday for 2 weeks in July and one Friday and Saturday (one weekend) per month during the fall and spring semesters. The online learning platform, Canvas, is used for asynchronous course-related learning activities and communications between face-to-face class sessions during the regular academic year.
UELP also leads to NYSED School District Leader (SDL) Licensure.
Admission Information
Displaying requirements for the Spring 2027, Summer 2027, and Fall 2027 terms.
Doctor of Education
- Points/Credits: 75
- Entry Terms: Summer (Odd Year Only)
- Enrollment Formats: Full-Time Cohort
Certification
View Public Disclosure Notification
- NY State School District Leadership (SDL)
Application Deadlines
| Entry Term Available | Priority Deadlines | Final Deadlines | Extended Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Summer | December 1, 2026 | December 1, 2026 | N/A |
| Fall | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Select programs remain open beyond our standard application deadlines, such as those with an extended deadline or those that are rolling (open until June or July). If your program is rolling or has an extended deadline indicated above, applications are reviewed as they are received and on a space-available basis. We recommend you complete your application as soon as possible as these programs can close earlier if full capacity has been met.
Application Requirements
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Online Degree Application, including Statement of Purpose and Resume | |
| Transcripts and/or Course-by-Course Evaluations for all Undergraduate/Graduate Coursework Completed | |
| Results from an accepted English Proficiency Exam (if applicable) | |
| $75 Application Fee | |
| Three (3) Letters of Recommendation | |
| Master's degree required | |
| Supplemental application required (included in online application) | |
| Interview (phone, video, or in-person) required for finalists only | |
| UELP Topic Essay (included in supplemental application) | |
| Must have 8-10 years of combined teaching and leadership experience |
For admission-related inquiries, please contact ORLadmission@tc.columbia.edu.
Additional Information
- Program accepts applications for odd year cycles only.
Additional Details Regarding Requirements
Candidates should have:
- Master’s degree in education leadership, curriculum and teaching, or another relevant field
- At least 8-10 years combined teaching and leadership experience
- Significant administrative experience at the school or district level is preferred
Application requirements:
- Transcripts of undergraduate and graduate study
- Professional resume (history of professional employment, including positions held, dates of employment, and major responsibilities)
- Personal statement of professional experience, career goals, and areas of interest for graduate study
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE optional
Requirements from the TC Catalog (AY 2026-2027)
View catalog information for the Fall 2026, Spring 2027 and Summer 2027 terms.