Education Leadership

Education Leadership, MEd (EDLE) (30 credits)

Program Vision

The Education Leadership Program is dedicated to improving the quality of pre-K - 12 education through teaching, research, and service. Candidates and practicing administrators engage in course work devoted to experiential learning, professional growth opportunities, and doctoral research that informs practice. We educate exceptional leaders who act with integrity as they work to improve schools.

Program Information

The 30-hour master's degree in Education Leadership fulfills Virginia's requirements for licensure in Administration and Supervision PK-12. Courses are offered on campus and through cohorts at local and regional locations.

After being admitted into the Education Leadership program, participants who already have a master's degree and have completed three years of teaching may complete only the licensure course work for the Administration and Supervision PK-12 license. The licensure course work is the first 24 credits of the master's degree program and must be taken in the required sequence shown below.

Licensure Component (24 credits)

• EDLE 610: Leading Schools and Communities (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 612: Education Law (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 614: Managing Financial and Human Resources (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 616: Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 618: Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 620: Organizational Theory and Leadership (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 690: Using Research to Lead School Improvement (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 791: Internship in Educational Leadership (3 credit hours) *

MEd Component (6 credits)

• EDLE 634: Contemporary Issues in Education Leadership (3 credit hours)
• EDLE 636: Adult Motivation and Conflict Management in Education Settings: A Case Study Approach (3 credit hours)

*Internship experiences are required in a variety of administrative settings with the guidance of professionals on site and at the university. The focus of the internship is to prepare leaders who have the knowledge and ability to promote the success of all students by:

(a) Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school or district vision of learning supported by the school community.

(b) Promoting a positive school culture, providing an effective instructional program, applying best practice to student learning, and designing comprehensive professional growth plans for staff.

(c) Managing the organization, operations, and resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

(d) Influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.(Educational Leadership Constituent Consortium standards).