Educational Leadership with Principal Certificate, Master of Education (M.ED)
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Educational Leadership with Principal Certificate—This path is ideal for those interested in P-12 school leadership. A teaching certificate with 3 years of experience (by the end of the program) is required for admission on this path.
The Educational Leadership concentration is ideal for educators who have instructional experience in a traditional P–12 school setting. Grounded in best practices and current research in educational leadership and management, this program prepares candidates to lead in diverse settings.
Candidates complete nine core courses addressing all aspects of school leadership and a 540–hour internship. The internship begins each August and runs for the entire school year. This is an online accelerated program with 6-week academic sessions. For more information about this program visit our website. For information about internships for this program, visit our internship website.
Admission Requirements
- Have earned a baccalaureate degree (either a BA or BS) from an accredited institution of higher education.
- Have earned a grade point average of ≥3.0 on a 4-point scale during the final 90 quarter credits (or 60 semester credits) of enrolled coursework.
- Applicants for the MEd program must also submit a copy of an educator certificate.
| Required Core | ||
| EDUC 507 | PHILOSOPHY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN SCHOOL | 4 |
| EDUC 520 | METHODS OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH | 4 |
| EDUC 522 | TRANSFORMATION OF LEARNING AND TEACHING | 4 |
| Area Specialization | ||
| EDUC 551 | SUPERVISION OF INSTRUCTION | 4 |
| EDUC 554 | CURRICULAR DESIGN AND EVALUATION | 4 |
| EDUC 564 | SCHOOL LAW | 4 |
| EDUC 565 | LEADERSHIP FOR TODAY'S SCHOOLS | 4 |
| EDUC 566 | LEADERSHIP IN SCHOOL-COMMUNITY RELATIONS | 4 |
| EDUC 567 | SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION AND BUDGET | 4 |
| Professional Internship and Portfolio | ||
| EDUC 660 | PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP AND PORTFOLIO I | 2 |
| EDUC 661 | PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP AND PORTFOLIO II | 2 |
| EDUC 662 | PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP AND PORTFOLIO III | 2 |
| EDUC 663 | PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP AND PORTFOLIO IV | 2 |
| EDUC 664 | PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP AND PORTFOLIO V | 2 |
| EDUC 665 | PRINCIPAL INTERNSHIP AND PORTFOLIO VI | 2 |
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| EDUC 667 | PRINCIPAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM | 1 |
| Total Credits | 49 | |
Students who earn an M.ED. in Educational Leadership with Principal Certification should be able to:
- demonstrate an understanding of the current theory, research, and strategies needed to effectively lead schools in P-12 educational settings;
- demonstrate the competency-based knowledge and skills required for effectively working in leadership roles in P-12 educational settings in compliance with NELP and Washington State Standards as well as program requirements;
- understand and prepare for the educational, social, political, economic, and cultural context within which school leader’s work;
- know the legal requirements, expectations and authority of a school leader;
- lead school improvement and instructional supervision to support positive student outcomes;
- create a positive school climate and culture;
- respond to students, staff, families, and community members in a positive and inclusive manner.