Educational Leadership, M.A. | Academic Catalog

Program Details

Department: Educational Leadership
Modality: In-Person/Hybrid
Concentrations:
Units: 30 MA; 34 MA w Charter School Certificate; 31 MA w Certificate in Catholic School Leadership
Semester Hours: 2

Contact Information

Academic Program Directors: Manuel N. Ponce, Jr., Lauren Casella
Academic Advisor: Terri Taylor

Introduction

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership equips students to meet the demands of today’s dynamic educational environments through a practitioner-focused curriculum and meaningful, hands-on application of leadership skills. Designed to cultivate transformative leaders, the program emphasizes real-world practice, preparing graduates to lead with purpose and impact in their chosen fields.

This cross-sector program extends learning beyond the classroom, offering students authentic experiences in diverse educational settings. The curriculum is rigorous, responsive, and flexible. It is intentionally designed to align with the evolving needs and challenges of the profession while supporting the development of effective, forward-thinking leaders.

Program Outcomes

As a result of this program, candidates will:

Identify, develop, and articulate a clear and purposeful vision for integrating a positive culture, environment, and curriculum that is rooted in a school-wide mission and vision statement and enlists the active participation of all stakeholders.
Articulate an intellectually rigorous program of education that promotes student academic success fosters teacher professional growth, and emphasizes a culture of continuous improvement.
Identify, develop, and articulate a clear and purposeful vision of operational vitality through sustainable financial planning, human resource/personnel management, facilities maintenance and enhancement, contemporary communication practice, and institutional advancement strategies.
Research, interrogate, & articulate a vision for ensuring a holistic educational environment for all stakeholders that emphasizes the continuous growth and formation of each person in body, mind, and spirit
Develop the skills and dispositions necessary to plan, implement and assess action research within a learning organization utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry with a focus on student growth and achievement.

Program Admissions Requirements

Online Graduate Application
Bachelor’s Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution
Official Transcript from all Colleges/Universities Attended, including all Community/Junior Colleges
- Applicants who completed an undergraduate/graduate degree outside of the United States of America:
  - Official Transcript Evaluation from an approved evaluation agency that details content of coursework completed, degree equivalency, and cumulative GPA
  - Official Transcript still needs to be submitted along with Transcript Evaluation
Cumulative Undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or 3.05 in the last 60 Undergraduate Units, a 3.0 in at least 9 Graduate Units, or Completion of a Request for Exception to GPA Requirement
Applicants whose citizenship is from a country where English is not the primary language:
- TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo English Test Minimum Scores (unless a High School Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree was obtained in the United States)
Personal Statement of Intent
2 Letters of Recommendation
Interview with Academic Program Director

Degree Options and Requirements

Students must select one of the following degree pathway options:

Online M.A. in Educational Leadership pathway
Online M.A. in Educational Leadership Certificate in Charter School Management pathway
Online M.A. in Educational Leadership Certificate in Catholic School Administration pathway

Required Coursework

Course List
Code	Title	Semester Hours
M.A. in Educational Leadership
EDLA 6200	Foundations of Leadership	3
EDLA 6203	School Finance and Human Resources	3
EDLA 6204	Innovation, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Design Thinking	3
EDLA 6206	Cura Personalis: Fostering a Community of Care	3
EDLA 6207	Governance, Law, and Policy	3
EDLA 6209	Community, Family and Stakeholder Engagement	3
EDLA 6423	Instructional Leadership	3
EDLA 6210	Current Issues in Ed Leadership	3
EDLA 6211	Applied Action Research for Educational Leadership - Part I	3
EDLA 6212	Applied Action Research for Educational Leadership - Part II	3

M.A. in Educational Leadership - Certificate in Charter School Management
EDLA 6101	Fndtns of Charter Schl Ldrshp: Vision of Learning for Diverse Students, Families, Staff, & Community	3
EDLA 6102	Charter School Instructional Leadership: Student Learning & Professional Growth for Diverse Students	3
EDLA 6103	Specialized Charter School Leadership Preparation with Petition Writing Lab	4
EDLA 6201	Educational Leader as Researcher	3
EDLA 6204	Innovation, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Design Thinking	3
EDLA 6205	Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion	3
EDLA 6206	Cura Personalis: Fostering a Community of Care	3
EDLA 6207	Governance, Law, and Policy	3
EDLA 6208	Supervision, Coaching and a Culture of Professional Learning	3
EDLA 6209	Community, Family and Stakeholder Engagement	3
EDLA 6429	Specializing in Charter Schools	3
EDLA 6995	Comprehensive Examination	0
*Subtotal*		64
M.A. in Educational Leadership - Certificate in Catholic School Administration Pathway
EDLA 6204	Innovation, Entrepreneurial Leadership and Design Thinking	3
EDLA 6206	Cura Personalis: Fostering a Community of Care	3
EDLA 6207	Governance, Law, and Policy	3
EDLA 6209	Community, Family and Stakeholder Engagement	3
EDLA 6420	An Invitation to Lead	1
EDLA 6430	Mission-Focused Spiritual Leadership in Catholic Education	3
EDLA 6431	Organizational Leadership in Catholic Education	3
EDLA 6423	Instructional Leadership	3
EDLA 6995	Comprehensive Examination	0
EDLA 6210	Current Issues in Ed Leadership	3
EDLA 6211	Applied Action Research for Educational Leadership - Part I	3
EDLA 6212	Applied Action Research for Educational Leadership - Part II	3
*Subtotal*		31

Additional Requirement

Application for Degree