Cohorts are an innovation being employed in many educational leadership programs. To determine faculty perceptions of the advantages and liabilities of this approach, including the potential of cohorts to develop quality school leaders, a large-scale survey of educational leadership program faculty was conducted. The perceptions of both cohort users and nonusers were captured, revealing sharp contrasts in how those embracing or rejecting cohorts view this innovation. Promising lines of future inquiry also are discussed.

The practice of using cohorts in educational leadership programs is examined from conceptual and practical viewpoints. Suggestions for developing cohorts are followed by discussion of the effects of cohorts on students, faculty, educational programs, and systems. Lastly, this paper takes a look at the potential of using the cohort concept as a vehicle for the development of transformational leaders.