School Improvement Leadership

Interested in becoming an influential leader in education? 

The School Improvement Leadership programs focus on instructional leadership. The programs culminate in a year-long practicum, where candidates apply theories and practices from course work in the school environment. These programs are MSDE-approved for Administrator 1 licensure eligibility.

Program options available for:

  • Master of Education degree (36 credits)
  • Post Master’s Professional Development Certificate (21 credits)

M.ED. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

This 36-credit graduate program includes a minimum of 15 credits in the core courses, 9 credits in school improvement, 3 credits in action research, 9 credits in clinical courses, and 9 credits in an elective. Students are required to complete an electronic portfolio as part of the practicum course. An additional 3-credit course can be taken to be eligible for the Administrator I licensure.

Graduates who wish to be eligible for the Administrator I licensure/endorsement must also have completed 27 months of satisfactory teaching performance or satisfactory performance on a professional license or satisfactory performance as a certified specialist and completion of the required 3-credit introduction or survey of special education course. 

CORE COURSES

ED 601 – Theories of Development: A Lifespan Perspective (3 credits)

ED 605 – Research Methods (3 credits)

ED 681 – Curriculum Development for a Multicultural Society (3 credits)

Select two courses (6 credits)

ED 602 – Social and Psychological Forces Affecting Youth (3 credits)

ED 603 – Personality Development and Self-Esteem (3 credits)

ED 604 – Contemporary Issues in Education (3 credits)

ACTION RESEARCH

ED 606 – Action Research/Special Project (3 credits)

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT LEADERSHIP

ED 671 – School Improvement Leadership: A Theoretical Perspective (3 credits)

ED 673 – School Improvement Leadership: Facilitating a Positive School Culture (3 credits)

ED 674A – Special Project Seminar/Practicum in School Improvement Leadership I (1.5 credits)

ED 674B – Special Project Seminar/Practicum in School Improvement Leadership II (1.5 credits)

CLINICAL COURSES

ED 651 – Educating for Character (1.5 credits)

ED 652 – Mediation of Conflict (1.5 credits)

ED 653 – Supervision for Effective Instruction (3 credits)

ED 646 – School Law (3 credits)

ADMINISTRATOR I CERTIFICATION

Additional course that is required to be eligible for the Admin I Certification.

ED 672 – Assessing Needs and Evaluating Progress (3 credits)

 

Specialization Standards

PSEL Standard 1.0: Mission, Vision, and Core Values.
Effective educational leaders develop, advocate, and enact a shared mission, vision, and core values of high-quality education and academic success and well-being

PSEL Standard 2.0: Ethics and Professional Norms
Effective educational leaders act ethically and according to professional norms to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL Standard 3.0: Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
Effective educational leaders strive for equity of educational opportunity and culturally responsive practices to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL Standard 4.0: Curriculum, Instructional and Assessment
Effective educational leaders develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL Standard 5.0: Community of Care and Support for Students
Effective educational leaders cultivate an inclusive, caring, and supportive school community that promotes the academic success and well-being of each student.

PSEL Standard 6.0: Professional Capacity of School Personnel
Effective educational leaders develop the professional capacity and practice of school personnel to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL Standard 7.0: Professional Community for Teachers and Staff
Effective educational leaders foster a professional community of teachers and other professional staff to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL Standard 8.0: Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community
Effective educational leaders engage families and the community in meaningful, reciprocal, and mutually beneficial ways to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL Standard 9.0: Operations and Management
Effective educational leaders manage school operations and resources to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.

PSEL: Standard 10.0: School Improvement
Effective educational leaders act as agents of continuous improvement to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.