M.Ed. Educational Leadership

We offer the Master's of Education in Educational Leadership with a choice of four Emphases:

School Leadership Emphasis

Through this program, you explore the underpinnings of the K-12 educational system and develop knowledge and leadership skills applicable to the K-12 setting. We designed this program for teachers wishing to take a more active leadership role in their schools; it is a first step if you wish to pursue state Administrative Certification.  

For this 36-unit program, you take:  

• EDR 610 (3 units)  

• EDF 630 or EDL 622 (3 units)  

• Two 3-unit courses selected from:

• EDF 670, 671, 672, 673, 677, 703, 704, 711;

• EPS 712;

• EDL 623;

• CC 580, 680;

• or from comparable foundations courses from outside education that are related to your area of specialization  

• EDL 600, 630, 650, 660, and 680 (15 units)  

• 9 units of electives, with one each in ECI, EDL, and your area of specialization  

Community College Emphasis  

This program offers preparation if you are planning to enter the community college field as a faculty member or if you already have experience and wish to prepare yourself for greater leadership responsibilities. This program is also appropriate if you have an unusual combination of teaching interests and wish to qualify yourself to teach or assume leadership roles in the community college.  

For this 36-unit program, you take:

• EDR 610, EDF 630, CC 580, and CC 680 (12 units)  

• EDL 600, 630, 660, and 680 (12 units)

(You must take these courses in the order shown.)  

• Select 4 courses from: CC 590, 599, 620, 640, 670, 688, 696, (3 units of CC 699–Thesis) (12 units)

(Please note that if you choose the thesis option you may end up taking more than 3 units of thesis credit because you must register for CC 699 each semester while you are working on your thesis.)  

 Educational Foundations Emphasis

This program provides you with an opportunity to develop and enrich your understanding of the contexts and forces that shape educational policy and practice. By understanding and being able to articulate critical issues in education, you can be a participant in the educational and social changes currently taking place in our society.  

For this 36-unit program, you take:

• Five courses selected from: EDF 630, 670, 671, 672, 673, 677, 703, 711 (15 units)

• One 3-unit elective course in a social science or humanities (3 units) 

• Two courses selected from: EDL 600, 630, 650 (6 units)  

• EDR 610 or EPS 525 (3 units)

• One of the following 9-unit packages:

• 3 units of EDF 698 and 6 units of EDF 699, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis (9 units); or

• CC 580, 680, and 688 (9 units); or

• EDL 623, 660, and 680 (9 units)

(Please note that if you choose the thesis option you may end up taking more than 6 units of thesis credit because you must register for EDF 699 each semester while you are working on your thesis.)  

Principal K-12 Emphasis  

The Master's Degree in Educational Leadership (Principal K-12) is designed to prepare students to qualify to serve as school principals (K-12).  

For this 36-unit plan, take the following:

• EDR 610 (3 units)

• One course selected from: EDF 500, 670, 671, 672, 673, 677 (3 units)

• EDL 600, 622, 623, 625, 627, 635, 650, and 662 (24 units)

• EDL 629 Principalship* (3 units)

• EDL 696 Internship* (3 units)

*You may only enroll in Principalship and Internship in the last year of your program of study. Note that separate internship application and deadlines apply.

1. Students must have a valid Arizona teaching certificate (including either BME 430 or 631) and 3 years of teaching experience before starting the internship.

2. Students must apply for graduation the term before they expect to do an internship.

Candidates in the Principal K-12 Emphasis of this program are required to demonstrate professional knowledge and skill to be eligible to enter internship placements and complete the program. Specific knowledge and skills are demonstrated through candidate performance on key assessments embedded in the EDL 600, 622, 625, 629, 635, 662, and 696 courses.

Differences between:

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, with Principal K-12 Emphasis

the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership,

and the Graduate Certificate in Administration (Principal)

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, with Principal K-12 Emphasis differs from the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership as follows:

1. The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Principal K-12 Emphasis provides students with a program specifically focused on preparing candidates to serve as school principals K-12. The degree is also aligned with the new Arizona State Department of Education's Principal Administrator Certification requirements.

2. The Master's Degree in Educational Leadership is designed to help candidates prepare to serve in leadership positions that do not require state Administrator Certification. Examples may include, but are not necessarily limited to: teachers serving as department chair of academic units in K-12 schools or community colleges; leading curriculum initiatives, working with school and community programs, etc. Graduates of the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership may qualify for state Administrator Certification to serve in the position of the school principals (K-12) by making application to the Graduate Certificate Program (Principal) and completing the additional Graduate Certificate Program (Principal) requirements.

3. The current Graduate Certificate (Principal) Program is designed for students who wish to prepare to serve as school principals, have a master's degree in another area (elementary education, secondary education, special education, science, etc.), and meet other relevant Graduate Certificate (Principal) admission requirements.

Students currently enrolled in the Master's Degree Program in Educational Leadership who elect to pursue the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, Principal K-12 will be provided with advisement—as may be required—to transition to the new degree program (provided they meet program requirements).

Click here for more information about our Educational Leadership faculty and our:

Educational Leadership graduate courses

Educational Research graduate courses

Community College graduate courses

Educational Foundations graduate courses