This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2024-2025 VCU Bulletin. We may add courses that expose our students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning. We may also add content to the general education program that focuses on racial literacy and a racial literacy graduation requirement, and may receive notification of additional program approvals after the launch. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
EDLP 641. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours.
Semester course; 1-6 independent study hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 1-6 credits. May be repeated for a maximum of nine credits. Determination of the amount of credit and permission of the instructor and department chair must be procured prior to registration. An individual study of a specialized issue, problem or topic in leadership. Study is conducted under the guidance of a VCU faculty mentor who assists the student in planning and implementing the course of study.
EDLP 700. Learning Networks. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Exploration of characteristics of effective leaders, team members and organizations. Personal inventories related to leadership skills; team-building and team-participation skills; learning preferences; preferences for processing information and for decision-making. Results of inventories are analyzed, combined with learned theories and applied to practice.
EDLP 702. Organizational Analysis. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Critical analysis of equity issues and leadership actions in a specific context. Application of theory and research approaches to an organizational setting.
EDLP 704. Legal Perspectives. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of the U.S. legal system, legal opinions and the impact of laws and policy on educational sectors. Critical analysis of legal and policy issues. Application of legal understandings to a specific identified issue.
EDLP 705. Policy and Ethics. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study and analysis of leadership and organizational issues from policy and ethics perspectives.
EDLP 708. Leadership and Crisis. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of leadership with a focus on crisis management, trauma-informed practice, leadership presence and communication strategies.
EDLP 709. Equity and Leadership. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Explores theory and research regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice and decolonization in organizational contexts.
EDLP 711. Data and Leadership I. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Introduction for scholar-practitioners to quantitative approaches on gathering and analyzing data, such as measurement principles, secondary database analysis and survey design. Emphasis on consumption of research, communicating about research and using research to inform practice and policy.
EDLP 712. Culture Change. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of theory and research about organizational structures, culture and change. Emphasis on assessment and analysis of organizational structures and culture, developing inclusive cultures, and implementing change processes.
EDLP 713. Data and Leadership II. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Introduction for scholar-practitioners to qualitative approaches to gathering and analyzing data, such as interviews, focus groups, document analysis and observation. Emphasis on consumption of research, communicating about research and using research to inform practice and policy.
EDLP 714. Systems Change. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of theory and research about systems and systems change utilizing principles of improvement science. Emphasis on analyzing root historical and institutionalized issues at the core of a system's ability to change, and generating theories of change and coherent strategies that address diverse elements of the system.
EDLP 715. Professional Writing. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Develop skill sets to become scholar-practitioners. Focus on what it means to be a scholar-practitioner; critical review and synthesis of literature sources and of scholarly sources and practical knowledge; translation of research and theory to practice and policy to effectively communicate writing across various audiences.
EDLP 716. Principles for Professional Writing II. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of scholarly writing styles and report formats appropriate to various audiences. Development of comprehensive written product suitable for distribution in student’s setting. Focus is on conveying themes and drawing conclusions from scholarly research.
EDLP 717. Data Visualization. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of data analytics relevant to communicating effectively about data and their implications for leadership decisions. Focus on styles and methods of writing related to conveying results of data analyses, including development of graphs, tables, charts and figures, and presentation materials.
EDLP 718. Budgeting and Finance. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Study of finance systems, budgeting and cost analysis. Analysis and development of budgets using equity, efficiency, legal and ethics perspectives. Understanding of cost analysis principles and techniques. Application of theory to practical, real-life contexts.
EDLP 790. Capstone Development. 3 Hours.
Semester course; 3 lecture hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3 credits. Supervised research. Client-based project. Designed to develop and refine the skills applicable to the preparation of an acceptable description of a capstone project. Development of background, review of research, project objectives and methods for gathering data, in consultation with capstone chair and client.
EDLP 798. Capstone Plan Implementation. 3-6 Hours.
Semester course; 3-6 research hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3-6 credits. Prerequisite: EDLP 790. Supervised research. Client-based project. Conducting of research related to project developed in the prerequisite course, with guidance from capstone project chair and client. Study of data management processes. Development of interim reports for capstone committee and client. Graded as S/U/F.
EDLP 799. Capstone Completion. 3-6 Hours.
Semester course; 3-6 research hours (delivered online, face-to-face or hybrid). 3-6 credits. Prerequisite: EDLP 798. Supervised research. Client-based project. Continuation of capstone implementation. Focus on developing conclusions and recommendations based upon data analyses. Presentation of capstone project to capstone committee and client. Graded as S/U/F.