The Department of Educational Leadership (1986-1997) of Brigham Young University had programs designed to prepare educational leaders for responsibilities in various educational institutions.

The programs administered within the department were designed to prepare educational leaders for private and public, lower and higher educational institutions; as well as providing preparation to receive the state administrative certification for leaders in public schools.

The Department of Educational Leadership was created in 1986 within the College of Education. The department was administered by a chairman who reported to the dean of the college. Chairmen included: F. Del Wasden (1986-1989) and Ivan Muse (1991-1997). The department was renamed Educational Leadership and Foundations in 1997 and placed within the David O. McKay School of Education.

The College of Education (1921-1997) oversaw various programs for future educators at Brigham Young University.

The College of Education, previously known as the School of Education, was created in 1921 from by the newly appointed President Harris. The organization was created to qualify students to be supervisors, elementary teachers, high school instructors, or high school principals under the Church and State school systems. The four main purposes were outlined as: (1) Preparing teachers for public and private schools. (2) Providing graduate programs for the preparation of school principals, counselors, school psychologists, curriculum supervisors, speech/language pathologists, clinical audiologists, and master teachers. (3) Offering research-based graduate programs. (4) Researching educational processes and issues. Deans and acting deans of the College included John C. Swenson (1921-1924), L. John Nuttall (1924-1930), Amos N. Merrell (1930-1946), Asahel D. Woodruff (1955-1961), A. John Clarke (1961-1962), Antone K. Romney (1962-1970), Stephen L. Alley (1970-1974), Curtis N. Van Alfen (1974-1985), Ralph B. Smith (1985-1989), Dan W. Andersen (1989-1993), and Robert S. Patterson (1993-1997).

The Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations (1997- ) administers undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of Educational Leadership.

This Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations administers undergraduate and graduate courses in the field of Educational Leadership. This department offers a MEd, EdD, and PhD in Educational Leadership. No undergraduate degrees are offered.

The Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations was established in 1997 within the David O. McKay School of Education. The department operates under a chairman who reports to the dean of the school. Chairmen have included Ivan Muse (1997-1998), E. Vance Randall (1998-2006), A. LeGrand Richards (2006-2009), Sterling C. Hilton (2009-2016), and Pamela Hallam (2016- ).