School of Leadership and Education Sciences
The School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers graduate programs in three departments: Leadership Studies, Learning and Teaching, and Counseling & Marital and Family Therapy. Our degree and credential programs prepare professionals to lead and serve in many different sectors of society as administrators, executives, therapists, professors, counselors, teachers, and educators. Our programs have met the high standards established by the following accrediting bodies: Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Commission for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Education Programs, and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
In addition, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers undergraduate coursework in three departments: Leadership Studies, Learning and Teaching, and Counseling & Marital and Family Therapy. Our certificates, credentials, courses, and minor fields lay a foundation for leadership roles in teaching, marital and family therapy, as well as leaders in the public, nonprofit, and military sectors. Please refer to the current Undergraduate Course Catalog for more information regarding these programs.
Vision Statement
SOLES shapes the future by educating and empowering professionals to enact social justice, enhance human dignity, and improve the quality of life of diverse individuals, families, and communities.
Mission Statement
The School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) at the University of San Diego believes in academic excellence, innovation, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion. We educate, engage, model, mentor, and challenge the campus community to promote social justice and ignite meaningful change in our diverse society.
Internationalization Experience Requirement
School of Leadership and Education Sciences (SOLES) students are required to complete an international experience to graduate. SOLES recognizes that students are living in a global society and they need to understand how other countries and cultures approach the issues and concepts in their program areas. The internationalization experience will strengthen students in their current lives and future careers. Each program has identified specific ways in which its students can meet the internationalization requirement, including participation in a global study course offered through the SOLES Global Center. Students should check with their respective program/department for more information on options for satisfying the SOLES International Experience Requirement. Please note: Beginning in Summer 2011, courses with an “I” designation following the course number are courses that satisfy this requirement.
Centers and Institutes
Catholic Institute for Mental Health Ministry
Center for Embodied Equity and Neurodiversity (CEEN)
Character Education Resource Center
Global Center
Hansen Summer Institute
Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education
Manchester Family Child Development Center (MFCDC)
Nonprofit Institute (NPI)
Academic Degree Programs, Credentials, and Certificates
Doctoral Degrees
Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies (PhD)
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership (EdD)
Doctor of Education in Catholic Social Thought in Practice (EdD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Master’s Degrees
Master of Arts in Leadership Studies (MA)
Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (MS) online
Master of Education (MEd) online
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction (MEd)
Master of Arts in Counseling (MA)
Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy (MA),
Please refer to subsequent pages for more information regarding these programs.
Credential Programs
The School of Leadership and Education Sciences also offers credentials for teachers, counselors, and education specialists. These credential programs are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It is possible to combine credential programs with a degree program. Students should check with their respective program/department for more information.
Please contact the School of Leadership and Education Sciences’ Credential Analyst team for more information.
Certificate Programs
SOLES offers a variety of certificate programs designed to enhance students’ professional learning. Students should consult their academic advisor or program director for details about certificates.
Leadership Coaching
Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership
Nonprofit Management.
Undergraduate Programs
In addition, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences offers undergraduate coursework in three departments: Leadership Studies, Learning and Teaching, and Counseling & Marital and Family Therapy. Our certificates, credentials, courses, and minor fields lay a foundation for leadership roles in teaching, marital and family therapy, as well as leaders in the public, nonprofit, and military sectors. Please refer to the current Undergraduate Course Catalog for more information regarding these programs.
Transfer of Credit
Eligibility of transfer credit varies by program as permissible by university policy, with the approval of the advisor and program director/department chair, Associate Dean, and clearance by the Office of the Registrar.
Reservation of the Right to Modify
Every effort has been made to provide current and accurate information in the description of doctoral, master’s degree, and credential programs. However, we reserve the right to change program requirements. Students should confer with their advisors and the credential analyst to ensure progress toward their degrees and/or credentials.