The Department of Educational Leadership & Policy emphasizes the application of theory and research to the practice of administration in K-12 schools as well as preparation for scholarly and administrative endeavors in higher education or other educational policy arenas. As a result of the department's strong national reputation and faculty members' leadership in national organizations students are kept abreast of the latest theory, research, and programmatic advancements.

The department is the home of the Utah Education Policy Center and houses the editorial offices of the Educational Administration Quarterly, the leading scholarly journal in the field of educational leadership.