Department of Educational Studies

Preparing leaders to work with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic and social-class backgrounds.

The Educational Studies department faculty prepare graduate students in the fields of higher education administration; educational leadership; reading, curriculum and instruction; literacy Studies; and equity, diversity and language education. Students learn how to become leaders, scholars and innovators in their field. Serving as Nevada's leading R1 research institution, the College is committed to pursuing knowledge that addresses the important educational needs of today.


Program Areas


Research & News

NCED team with Dean Easton-Brooks accepting their award.

College of Education and Human Development hosts awards ceremony

This year, 24 awards were given to outstanding students, faculty and staff in the College during the Spring Celebration

Panelist and committee members behind a table with the College's identifier

First-Generation College Students’ Professional Pathways panel discussion

The College of Education & Human Development hosted the panel event and mixer on March 14

Two professors and a student holding a phone

ChatGPT is enrolled as a student in a College of Education & Human Development course

Professors use gamification in the classrooms to increase future educators' understanding of the impact of artificial intelligence on instruction


Master Degrees

Educational Leadership (In-person and online)

The study of leadership allows individuals to examine the fundamental institutions in society, to develop skills in research and analysis, and to prepare to enter challenging and influential roles in many areas.

Master of Arts in Higher Education (MA) In-person

Master of Education in Educational Leadership (MEd) Online

Equity and Diversity in Education (Online)

This program allows educators and those in related fields to enhance their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work more effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Master of Science in Equity and Diversity in Education (MS)

Instructional Technology & Learning Design (Online)

The program focuses on the knowledge and skills of instructional design and using technology tools to improve teaching and learning, especially on the design of online learning and digital applications in education.

Instructional Technology & Learning Design (MS)

Reading, Curriculum and Instruction (Online)

Literacy Studies is essential to learning, multidimensional in nature, and influenced by linguistic, psychological and sociocultural factors.

Reading Curriculum and Instruction (M.Ed.)


Doctoral Degrees

Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education: Educational Leadership

This area of emphasis focuses on advanced leadership preparation as it applies to K-12 or to higher education settings. The Ph.D. prepares students for leadership or teaching at the college level or for roles in policy analysis and research. The Ed.D. option is available in this area of concentration for practicing professionals in K-12.

Ph.D. in Education: Equity, Diversity, and Language Education

This program allows educators and those in related fields to enhance their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to work more effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Ph.D. in Education: Information Technology in Education

This emphasis area provides advanced training for educators or prospective educators a strong theoretical and practical foundation in dynamic instructional design, and concurrent knowledge and skills to integrate contemporary digital technology in a variety of educational and training settings.

Ph.D. in Education: Literacy Studies

Literacy Studies instruction and its intersection with English language learning and issues of culture and diversity are the foci of this emphasis area.