Educational Leadership Concentration

Our Educational Leadership concentration will encourage you to integrate values, beliefs, and faith commitments into your leadership practices. You’ll build skills in communication and collaboration and prepare for leadership in complex and pluralistic school communities.

Total credits

32

Finish in as few as

18 months (plus thesis)

Courses

• Leadership & Theory Foundations (EDUC800)

  Examination of the roles school leaders play as they pertain to ethics and influencing the school community. Analysis of the historical, philosophical and cultural aspects of educational reform. Analysis of leadership simulations using a combination of models for decision making, human communications, conflict management, organizational change, vision building, and school communication Exploration of the balance between personal faith and/or values and professional leadership in an environment characterized by separation of church and state.

  4 credits

• Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment (EDUC810)

  Engages in contextual learning applying principles of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Develops effective curricular and instructional plans for organizations. Analyzes district-wide literacy initiatives and leads school-wide literacy efforts. Explores professional development, research, and best practices for integrating curriculum, instruction, and technology.

  4 credits

• Systems Change to Meet the Needs of All Stakeholders (EDUC822)

  Explores educational leaders’ roles in developing relationships with students, families, and communities to address stakeholder needs. Applies research-based practices for organizational change supporting social-emotional learning, culturally and linguistically diverse learners, mental health, and trauma. Addresses biases and fosters educational equity through culturally responsive leadership.

  4 credits

• Leadership for Inclusive Learning Environments (EDUC825)

  Exploration of the dynamics of engaging differences, including cultural, ethnic, religious, gender, ability, age differences, and others. Focus on providing effective leadership in pluralistic systems, including creating a hospitable organizational environment and maintaining relationships with diverse partners and stakeholders. Analysis of assumptions, beliefs, behaviors, and capacities with regard to differences.

  4 credits

• Administration of Essential Educational Programs (EDUC830)

  Analysis of school policies and procedures to ensure that essential programs are in place. Awareness of how personal belief systems affect decision-making. Examination of school relationships, communication, culture and environment, teachers and student engagement, school supervision, safety, instructional supervision, and student learning.

  4 credits

• Operations and Personnel Administration (EDUC840)

  Application of personal and organizational management skills. Synthesis of school/district mission and vision in systemic planning and relationship between leadership and conflict management. Development of communication to foster public relations and address organizational politics. Analysis of the factors of school cultures. Integration of faith/worldview and core values with leadership strategies.

  4 credits

• Legal Issues in School Administration (EDUC860)

  Examination of educational laws and policies, the process by which they are created, and their impact on schools. Analysis of leadership and communication around legal issues and policies, with emphasis on accuracy, clarity, and correct implementation. Evaluation of laws and policies, their application and outcomes, and recommended changes.

  4 credits

• Resource Management (EDUC865)

  Examines constitutional authority for public school funding and tax structures. Evaluates budgets and publications against best practices. Applies emerging practices and key aspects of human resource management. Analyzes resource allocation to improve student learning. Explores connections between personal values, ethics, and resource management in schools.

  4 credits

• Teacher as Leader (TEAC606)

  Analyzes the critical impact of teachers in education and examines formal and informal ways teachers lead. Provides a framework for engaging with the evolving role and challenges of teacher leadership. Develops reflective practices and sets goals for leadership and professional growth.

  3 credits

• Content Research in Practice (TEAC610)

  Use of evidence based research to inform instructional practice is a critical skill for practicing teachers. The ability to locate, curate, analyze and apply educational research will be mastered. Creation of unique applications of research from specific k-12 content is the primary focus of this course.

  2 credits

• Improving Instruction (TEAC616)

  Examines theories, approaches, and instructional strategies that build on practicing teachers’ experience. Explores 21st-century skills and model schools known for innovative practices grounded in theory. Renews teachers’ knowledge base, craft of teaching, and understanding of new models for effective schooling.

  3 credits

• Applied Classroom Assessment (TEAC635)

  Examination of the core principles of how assessment can accelerate student learning when applied systematically. Development of thinking habits that lead to consistent and purposeful implementation of practices that motivate, inspire, and empower students to take ownership of their learning.

  3 credits

• Introduction to Differentiation and Responsive Teaching (TEAC730)

  Overviews the theory and research of differentiated instruction to address varying student needs in K-12 classrooms. Focuses on instructional strategies and the practical application of differentiation. Emphasizes strategies to support students with disabilities while developing content, processing ideas, and creating products that enhance learning for all students.

  3 credits

• Responsive Pedagogy for English Language Learners (TEAC731)

  Overviews second language acquisition theories to understand how learners acquire a new language. Focuses on differentiating instruction for language proficiency and prior schooling while maintaining grade-level rigor. Applies strategies for academic language teaching across content areas. Addresses factors influencing language acquisition, including linguistic and cultural identity negotiation.

  3 credits

• Culturally Responsive Instruction (TEAC732)

  Examination of multicultural research, theory and practice as a foundation to cultural understanding in the classroom. Exploration of their role as teacher in a culturally changing learning environment as they develop instructional strategies based on research‑based best practice to continually improve as culturally responsive practitioners.

  3 credits

• Preparing to Write the Thesis/Collaborative Research Project (TEAC756)

  Preparation for the process of designing and writing a master's level thesis or collaborative research project. Exploration of the selection and refinement of a research topic; the nature and scope of master's thesis; APA style; and preparation for the oral examination process.

  1 credits

• Thesis Writing Studio (TEAC790)

  Explores a significant educational issue through an independent or collaborative, step-by-step process to develop a thesis or project. Works with a thesis advisor to ensure adherence to guidelines and requirements. Defends the thesis or project upon completion, integrating feedback and demonstrating mastery of scholarly practice.

  3 credits