Internal Resources
Department Overview
Our mission is to increase understanding and guide improvements in human learning and outcomes, in the political, economic, organizational, social, legal and regulatory contexts in which human development occurs.
Leadership, Policy, and Organization's (LPO's) professional M.Ed., M.P.P., and Ed.D. programs, and our online Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations program will prepare you to guide any number of organizations-from K-12 schools, colleges, or universities to corporations or policy-making and non-governmental organizations.
Considering an academic career in a college or university? As an LPO Ph.D. candidate, you'll work with faculty mentors recognized as among the best in their disciplines both nationally and internationally.
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#1
U.S. News & World Report 2023-'24, Best Educational Administration Program
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#2
U.S. News & World Report 2023-'24, Best Education Policy Program
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#7
U.S. News & World Report 2023-'24, Best Higher Education Administration Program
LPO Success Stories
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Laura Moore, M.P.P. in Education Policy
Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO, Obama Foundation
"My Peabody degree prepared me to be a critical consumer of research and data to inform the initiatives that we lead. Getting a degree from Peabody also gave me crucial practice translating research into meaningful and actionable information for policymakers that is needed to effect real change."
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Ayindé Rudolph, Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy
Superintendent of Schools, Mountain View Whisman School District
"Peabody wasn't just about learning the information; it was about starting a journey to becoming an expert for my craft."
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Christopher Redding, Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies
Assistant Professor, University of Florida College of Education
"At Peabody, I had many opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects. These experiences, combined with my coursework, helped develop my skills in conducting rigorous educational research."
Bachelor's Program (with the Department of HOD)
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Human and Organizational Development
This undergraduate major fuses a liberal arts foundation with applied coursework in human development, organizational theory and dynamics, service learning, and decision analysis. A capstone will ensure you're ready for the professional world.
Master's Programs
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Education Policy
The M.P.P. program offers a practice-focused curriculum grounded in social science research, empowering students to understand the broader social, economic, political, and historical context of contemporary education and education policy. Students may pursue one of three concentrations: K-12 Policy, Higher Education Policy or Quantitative Methods in Education Policy. -
Higher Education Administration
The HEA program is designed for students who wish to enter professional roles in colleges, universities, state education agencies, or related nonprofits. Students may pursue one of three concentrations: Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and General Administration and Policy. -
Independent School Leadership
This unique 15-month program fosters leaders who understand the complex educational, political, social, fiscal, and moral dimensions of independent schools, and who are able to propel their schools to high levels of achievement. -
International Education Policy and Management
Through a multifaceted approach to education, IEPM equips students with the skills and knowledge to become change makers in the field of international education and human and economic development around the world.Learn More About International Education Policy and Management
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Leadership and Organizational Performance
The LOP program trains highly effective leaders. Students explore and master the organizational and social context in which human performance and organizational performance intersect, with a focused curriculum that aligns leadership theory with contemporary leadership practices.
Ed.D. Programs
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Educational Leadership and Policy (Ed.D.)
Bridge the divide between theory and practice while working closely with professionals from across the country through the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program at Vanderbilt University. The 36-month education doctorate is an innovative, cohort-based program designed to meet the needs of mid-career K-12 and higher education professionals. -
Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Ed.D.)
Our Higher Education Leadership and Policy (Ed.D.) program is distinguished by its small size, strong cohort model, high degree of student-to-faculty interaction, interdisciplinary curriculum, and integration of research, policy, and practice. -
Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Ed.D.)
The doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations is developed by faculty within Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. The program is designed for mid-career professionals who hold at least three years of leadership experience and are inspired to drive positive systemic change. Bridging the divide between theory and practice, the program equips students with the deep understanding and contextual experience needed to lead organizational change across industries.Learn more about Online Doctor of Education in Leadership and Learning in Organizations (Ed.D.)
Ph.D. Program
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Education Policy and Leadership (Ph.D.)
Our top-ranked program (formerly Leadership and Policy Studies) allows students to examine education policy and problems through an interdisciplinary lens that incorporates economics, political science, sociology, and international and comparative education. Students benefit from close mentorship by department faculty, along with access to the resources of both a world-class college of education and a major research university.
LPO News
Faculty
Administrative Team
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Caitlin Sulham
Administrative Officer
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Kashiri Favors
Educational Coordinator
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Amber Green
Administrative Specialist and Assistant to the Department Chair
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Kym Stricklin
Post Award Grant Manager
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Wanda Brown
Senior Administrative Assistant