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Master of Science & Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership {21-22}

Program Coordinator: Boyd L. Bradbury, Ph.D.
Department of Leadership and Learning
Lommen 214N, (218) 477-2471
bradbury@mnstate.edu

The principle purpose of the Educational Leadership Program is to provide professional/academic education for individuals preparing for leadership and administrative positions as an elementary school principal, secondary school principal, community education director, special education director, teacher leader, athletic director, school business manager, technology or curriculum coordinator, school superintendent, or a career in higher education administration.

This program helps prepare students to obtain licensure in multiple areas.  One goal of the program is to provide graduates with professional experience to area schools, school districts, and practicing educational administrators and to state and national associations. 

The Educational Leadership program is offered in an online course delivery format.  The faculty promise to deliver personalized advising and opportunities to collaborate while developing confidence in technology as an essential learning tool.

Program approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators (BOSA) and the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Master's and Specialist Degrees, Minnesota Administrative Licensure Programs, and North Dakota Administrative Credential Programs available.

Master of Science in Educational Leadership

Description
Master of Science in Educational Leadership - 32 credits.

Admission Requirements

Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Master of Science in Educational Leadership, Specialist in Educational Leadership, or Administrative Licensed program are educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all stakeholders by:

  • Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school or district vision or learning, supported by the school community.
  • Promoting a positive school culture, providing an effective instructional program, applying best practice to student learning, and designing comprehensive professional growth plans for staff.
  • Managing the organization, operations, and resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
  • Collaborating with families and other community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
  • Acting with integrity, fairly, and in an ethical manner.
  • Understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Program Delivery Mode
Online Exclusive: must be completed entirely online; no face-to-face options available

Core Requirements

The core must be completed by all students majoring in any of the Educational Leadership concentrations: K-12 Administration, Teacher Leadership, or Student Affairs and Higher Education. The courses for each of the three program options are listed at the bottom. Total credits will vary depending on selected emphasis; however total core coursework alone is 17 credits.

ED 613 Social, Cultural, Political, and Community Dimensions of Education (4)
ED 630 Leadership, Planning, and Organizational Behavior in Education (3)
ED 631 Educational Law & Organizational Structure of Education (3)
ED 634 Personal Communication and Ethics (3)
ED 695A Introduction to Educational Leadership (1)
ED 695B Portfolio Completion and Presentation (1)
ED 794 Practicum (variety of topics specific to emphasis) (2)

Program Requirements

The degree is completed under Plan B.

  • Minimum of 32 credits.
  • 3.0 grade point average required for courses submitted for the degree.
  • Written Comprehensive Examination.
  • Individual study/portfolio option and subsequent oral examination.

Emphasis in Teacher Leadership

Program Requirements ( 15 credits )

Must take at least 15 credits from the list of courses below. Courses in bold with * are highly recommended for this emphasis.

ED 527 Emerging Technologies (2)
ED 601 Psychological Foundations of Education (2)
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Theory (4) *
ED 636 Policy and Educational Finance (2)
ED 644 P-12 School Curriculum (3)
ED 670 Teacher Leadership: Educational Alternatives for Learning (2) *
ED 671 Teacher Leadership: Issues in Education (2) *
ED 690 Topics in Education (2) *
ED 717 Adult Learning (2)
ED 789 School Community Relations (2)
PSY 634 Methods of Evidence Based Practice (2) *
ED Practicum (Teacher Leadership, General Leadership 1-3cr)

Emphasis in K-12 Administration

Program Requirements ( 15 credits )

Must take at least 15 credits from the list of courses below. Courses in bold with * are required for North Dakota principal licensure.

ED 527 Emerging Technologies (2)
ED 601 Psychological Foundations of Education (2)
ED 603 Methods of Research (2)
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Theory (4) *
ED 635 Personnel, Supervision and Staff Development (4) *
ED 636 Policy and Educational Finance (2) *
ED 640 P-12 School Administration (3) *
ED 644 P-12 School Curriculum (3) *
ED 670 Educational Alternatives for Learning (2)
ED 671 Issues in Education (2)
ED 690 Topics in Education (2)
ED 717 Adult Learning (2)
ED 789 School and Community Relations (2)
ED 793 Seminar (3)  (Principal, Supt, Special Education Director, Community Ed Director, Athletic and Activities Director)
ED 794 Practicum (3)
PSY 634 Methods of Evidence Based Practice (2)

Emphasis in Student Affairs and Higher Education

Program Requirements ( 15 credits )

Must take 15 credits from the list of courses below. Courses in bold with * are highly recommended for this emphasis.

ED 527 Emerging Technologies (2)
ED 601 Psychological Foundations of Education (2)
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction, and Learning Theory (4)
ED 660 Introduction to Student Affairs (3) *
ED 662 Administration of Student Affairs (3) *
ED 717 Adult Learning (2)
ED 753 College Student Development (3)
ED 780 Instructional Models (2)
ED 787 Teaching and Learning at the University Level (3)
ED 789 School and Community Resources (2)
ED 793 Seminar in Student Affairs and Higher Education (3) *
ED 794 Practicum (1-3) General Leadership, Student Affairs Leadership



Specialist in Educational Leadership

Description
Specialist in Educational Leadership - 30 credits

Admission Requirements

Information on admission requirements can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates who complete the Master of Science or Specialist in Educational Leadership program are educational leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all stakeholders by:

  • Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school or district vision or learning, supported by the school community.
  • Promoting a positive school culture, providing an effective instructional program, applying best practice to student learning, and designing comprehensive professional growth plans for staff.
  • Managing the organization, operations, and resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
  • Collaborating with families and other community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
  • Acting with integrity, fairly, and in an ethical manner.
  • Understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

Program Delivery Mode
Online Exclusive: must be completed entirely online; no face-to-face options available

Core Requirements

Specialist degree students are required to have completed a Masters degree in Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Instruction or a related education field before entering the Educational Specialist degree program. 

Students entering the specialist program are required to conduct a needs assessment of their current competence in the Minnesota Administrative Competencies or the ELLC competencies/standards to determine a profile of their current knowledge, skill, and dispositions. This is done in close consultation with the student's advisor.  From this needs assessment, a personalized Plan of Study is developed to fit the individual needs, course requirements and goals of the student. 

ED 717 Adult Learners (2)
ED 793 Seminar in School Administration (3) (may register for more than one Seminar as there are several topics)
ED 788 School Finance and Business Management (4)
ED 789 School Community Relations (2)
ED 699 Thesis or Field Research (1-4) *ED 695B Portfolio/Presentation effective spring 2020
ED 794 Practicum (8 choices...can register for more than 1 practicum)  (2 credits)

Program Requirements

Students pursuing a specialist degree in educational leadership have many role specialty options to choose from, depending on their ultimate career goals: general administration, elementary principal, secondary principal, k-12 principal, special education director, superintendent, community education director, technology director, teaching and learning director, athletics/activities director or any number of higher education administrative positions.  

Students entering the specialist program are required to conduct a needs assessment of their current competence in the Minnesota Administrative Competencies or the ELLC competencies/standards to determine a profile of their current knowledge, skill, and dispositions. This is done in close consultation with the student's advisor.  From this needs assessment, a personalized Plan of Study is developed to fit the individual needs, course requirements and goals of the student.

Electives ( 16 credits )

ED 613 Social, Cultural, Political, and Community Dimensions of Education (4)
ED 630 Leadership, Planning, and Organizational Behavior in Education (3)
ED 631 Educational Law & Organizational Structure of Education (3)
ED 632 Curriculum, Instruction & Learning Theory (4)
ED 634 Personal Communication and Ethics (3)
ED 635 Personnel, Supervision & Staff Development (4)
ED 636 Policy and Educational Finance (2)
ED 640 PreK-12 School Administration (3)
ED 644 PreK-12 School Curriculum (3)
ED 695A Introduction to Educational Leadership (1)
ED 670 Educational Alternatives for Learning (2)
ED 671 Issues in Education (2)
ED 690 Topics (2)

ED 753 College Student Development (3)
ED 780 Instructional Models (2)
ED 787 Teaching and Learning at the University Level (3)
ED 794 Practicum (2)
(Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, Superintendent, Special Education Director, Community Education Director, Budget and Finance, General Administration, Supervision)
ED 793 Seminar in School Administration and Supervision (3) **may be repeated
(Superintendent Seminar, Special Education Director Seminar, Community Education Director Seminar, Athletic and Activities Director Seminar, Leadership in Education Seminar)
ED 797 Individual Study in Education (2)**may be repeated up to 6 credits
PSY 634 Methods of Evidence Based Practice (2)