At its core, education is about transformation — of individuals, institutions and entire communities. That transformation begins with learning and becomes most powerful when that learning is put to practice in partnership with others.
That’s why, in UCF’s Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education, we believe your student experience isn’t just part of your journey — it shapes it. It’s your opportunity to apply what you’re learning, discover your strengths, clarify your values and develop your voice. Just as important, it’s a chance to model the very systems you aspire to improve and the type of leader you plan to become.
Through completing internships, participating in a student organization or professional association and studying with your cohort, you’ll engage with classmates, mentors and future collaborators while viewing educational and workforce systems through the lens of a learner. These experiences sharpen the skills that will matter most in your career — critical thinking, adaptability, teamwork and problem-solving.
Because at UCF, we know real change begins with the people bold enough to grow with — and lead alongside — others.
Experiential Learning
Internships, Practica and Graduate Assistantships
Internships, practica and graduate assistantships provide you with hands-on experience in real-world settings. These opportunities bridge classroom learning with practical application, allowing you to apply, reflect on and refine what you’ve learned. They also help you build your professional network, sharpen your leadership skills and explore possible career paths and employers. In the case of graduate assistantships, they can also cover the cost of tuition and provide a stipend.
So whether you’re interested in becoming a principal, dean, vice president, teacher or trainer, you’ll have gained invaluable exposure to your field, enhanced your résumé and helped open the door to your next full-time role.
Here are some possible sites that provide more than an experience — they serve as your launchpad for long-term success.
Public School Systems
Brevard County Public Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Lake County Public Schools
Orange County Public Schools
Osceola County Public Schools
Polk County Public Schools
Seminole County Public Schools
Volusia County Public Schools
Public Universities
Florida State University
Lake-Sumter State College
University of Central Florida
University of Florida
University of South Florida
Community Colleges
Daytona State College
Eastern Florida State College
Hillsborough Community College
Santa Fe College
Seminole State College
Tallahassee Community College
Valencia College
Private Colleges
Bethune-Cookman University
Eckerd College
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Flagler College
Florida Southern College
Full Sail University
Rollins College
Stetson University
University of Miami
University of Tampa
Policymaking in the Capitol
Educational leaders don’t just respond to policy — they shape it. As a student in UCF’s Educational Leadership Executive EdD program, you’ll participate in doing just that through our Politics, Governance and Finance of Educational Organizations course, offered each spring. In this immersive experience, you’ll work with your classmates to develop a real-world policy platform and travel to Tallahassee to present your proposal directly to Florida lawmakers — engaging in critical dialogue and receiving meaningful feedback. This powerful, hands-on opportunity equips you with the knowledge, confidence and influence to help drive decisions that strengthen schools and communities statewide.
Professional Associations
Whether you’re just getting started or taking the next step in your career, building connections and staying current with the latest research and best practices is key to your success. Through membership in leading professional organizations, you’ll have access to state and national conferences, networking opportunities and cutting-edge resources — helping you stay informed, inspired and connected.
Here are just a few:
- American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE)
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE)
- American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE/FACTE)
- Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE)
- Association of Talent Development (ATD)
- Florida Association of Professors of Educational Leadership
- International Council of Professors of Educational Leadership (ICPEL)
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA/FLNASPA)
- University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA)
Cohort Model
A 20-year study by the Wallace Foundation confirmed what many educators already knew: strong school leaders drive stronger outcomes. But it also highlighted a pressing challenge — high turnover, especially in high-need schools. To better support future leaders, researchers found the best solution was preparing aspiring school leaders in cohorts with peers from their own or neighboring districts.
At UCF, we’ve embraced this best practice. As a student in our Executive EdD, Higher Education EdD or Higher Ed MA programs, you’ll take all your classes with the same group of peers.
Through a partnership with Daytona State College, current employees interested in pursuing a Higher Ed MA or EdD program can complete the program with a group of colleagues — and Daytona State will cover the cost of your tuition.
And as a student in our Educational Leadership MEd or Modified Core program, you’ll take every class with fellow educators from either Orange or Lake counties — or join a regional super cohort spanning Brevard, Seminole, Osceola and Volusia counties. This guarantees your coursework is informed by the priorities of your school district, so what you learn directly reflects the needs of your community.
Even better? You’ll gain more than just knowledge — you’ll build confidence, practical leadership skills and a strong professional network that lasts long after graduation.
“Being in a cohort with classmates who also work in the same school district is incredibly beneficial. We share similar work experiences, which allow us to relate to one another on a deeper level. Together, we form study groups, exchange resources and support each other throughout the program, creating a collaborative and encouraging environment.”
Tamara Preston
Educational Leadership MEd student who is part of the Orange County Public Schools Cohort
Student Organizations
Student organizations are a great outlet for making meaningful connections and growing professionally. Through networking and social events, event planning, and collaborating on initiatives that shape the future of educational leadership, you'll find a supportive community of peers who share your passion for education and drive to make a difference.
Career and Technical Student Organizations
For: Students in CTE programs
Reach out to Program Coordinator Lisa Martino to learn more.
UCF Student Personnel Association
For: Graduate students in higher education programs
Contact UCF SPA on Knight Connect.
Scholar Awards
Each spring, the Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education sponsors a doctoral student celebration, where one student selected by faculty members receives the Scholar Leader Award. The student is selected based on his or her dissertation — which has been deemed most likely to immediately impact the field of educational leadership — and receives a stipend to support their research.
Sarah Hall is the 2025 Scholar Leader Award recipient.