Education students pose with children in the classroom.

Teacher & School Leadership

The Teacher and School Leadership emphasis is designed for teachers and professional staff in B-12 (Birth to 12th grade) schools who want to develop their leadership capacities as productive change agents and supporters in schools through the promotion of continuous improvement strategies and effective administrative practices. 

Professionals who enter this program are the leaders and future leaders of our schools. They come to this program from positions as teachers, school and district staff, and from positions in other state and private organizations committed to improving education and are distinguished from other educators, in part, by their willingness to take a more active role in the decision-making processes that occur at their schools.

Graduates provide leadership in their school building or program. Often times this means they become:

• lead teachers
• team leader
• curriculum developers
• department chairperson
• new teacher mentor
• special project leader
• administrative assistant
• dean of students 

The Teacher and School Leadership emphasis requires the candidate to complete the Core Education Leadership program for 15 credits, four required emphasis courses for 12 credits, and 6 additional credits of their choosing.

Course Number & Name Credits Brief Description
EL 652 - Teacher Leadership 3 The course provides an introduction to the characteristics of teacher leadership. 
EL 654 - Context of School Leadership 3 The course focuses on the philosophy, laws, and policies of education impacting schools, school administration, governance, and pedagogy. 
EL 704 - Supervision and Curriculum Development 3 The course focuses on leading school improvement for all learners. 
EL 660 - EL Master's Internship 3 Conducting an action leadership project in a school setting which focuses on one of the 10 identified characteristics of teacher and school leadership. The experience informs the field project.
Electives  6 In cooperation with the student's academic advisor additional course work, focused on the student's needs, will be established.  
Core Education Leadership Curriculum 15 5 courses required of all EL Master's of Science Degree candidates: EL 612, EL 614, EL 615, EL 616, and EL 616       

A detailed description of the courses and additional information can be found in the course catalog.