Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP)
Named after the 53rd President of the United States and 13th President of Columbia University, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Eisenhower Leader Development Program (ELDP) offers a slightly modified M.A. for U.S. Army officers. Students are predominantly at the rank of Captain, at the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, New York. This M.A. Program is conducted in collaboration with the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (BS&L) at the USMA. Faculty is predominantly from the Teachers College program with some from the USMA.
ELDP cohorts of approximately 24 officers complete a program of 39 credits, including a comprehensive examination at the end, in one year. In other words, their full time duty is to be a graduate student. Upon graduation, at least half of the officers will be assigned for two or three years as a Tactical Officer (TAC) in the U.S. Corps of Cadets at the USMA, West Point (those not assigned to be a TAC will return to other responsibilities or deployments within the Army). Those who are assigned as a TAC will be acting as the legal Company Commander of a Cadet Company, comprised of about 100 individuals (undergraduate cadets), and will be the primary developer of these cadets at the USMA, West Point.
The TAC officer assists each cadet in balancing and integrating the requirements of the physical, military, academic, and moral-ethical programs at the USMA. The TAC officer trains and coaches the cadet chain of command to establish and sustain high unit standards and behavior essential to a cohesive company environment. TAC officers inspire cadets to develop effective leadership styles through role-modeling, coaching, teaching, and training. TAC officers also present formal and informal instruction to the company, implement special development programs for individual cadets as needed, and they are responsible for all company administration.
The majority of the courses during the year are taken with other M.A. students at Teachers College, with Teachers College faculty, while a few are cohort-specific and are taught by Teachers College and USMA Faculty at the West Point Campus. Having this relationship with the USMA through the Eisenhower Leader Development Program strengthens the Social-Organizational Psychology Program at Teachers College through the increased diversity, perspective, and leadership experience that the ELDP students bring to the program.
Interested active duty individuals should complete an application through the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership at the United States military Academy, West Point.