Master's of Education (M.Ed.) in
Educational Leadership

Program Overview

The Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership program prepares candidates for leadership roles in PK-12 schools and leads to both a Master’s of Education degree and an Educational Leader certificate from the Louisiana Department of Education. The UNO College of Education and Human Development is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Educational Leadership program is aligned with standards adopted by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC). The Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership program is 36 credit hours and focuses on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions associated with effective educational leadership of PK-12 schools. Following are the minimum requirements for program entry:

• Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and admission to UNO Graduate School
• Possession of a standard teacher’s license
• Three years of experience as a licensed public classroom teacher or equivalent
• Overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5
• Submission of GRE score earned within the last five years
• Submission of a current resume and letter of recommendation/support from the individual’s principal or district level supervisor
• Demonstration of writing proficiency through responding to a prompt
• Interview with faculty

Conceptual Framework 

The program is aligned with the Conceptual Framework of the College of Education and Human Development. The Conceptual Framework establishes a goal to prepare reflective practitioners to address the needs of metropolitan schools. Within a theory-practice interaction model, the program prepares educational leaders to address seven critical roles:

1. Establish and support vision
2. Support effective teaching and learning
3. Manage the school environment 
4. Improve school and system practic
5. Implement professional development
6. Build school and community relations
7. Align practice with ethical standards

The role-focused framework supports a performance-based preparation program. Four critical themes are embedded within the program of study, including: assessment, communication, diversity, and technology. UNO programs of study are designed to assist educational leaders in creating an impact on children, schools, and communities.

Program Details

The Master’s of Education in School Leadership program of study is divided into 3 Levels. The program begins in Level 1 with coursework and field experiences that are aligned with requirements for the Teacher Leader endorsement from the Louisiana Department of Education. Following a performance review, candidates enter Level 2 of the program and complete professional coursework and field experience aligned with the national, state, and unit standards associated with teaching educational leadership. During Level 3, candidates complete 2 semester-long internships. The program of study is fully aligned with the certification requirements of the Louisiana Department of Education.

To see what courses are taken during each level see the Educational Admininstration Courses page.

Program Plans

If you would like some more detailed information about the courses to be taken for the master's degree program, please write to one of the key faculty members or to the graduate coordinator. If you would like to see the catalog listing of ALL "EDAD" courses see the Educational Admininstration Courses page.

Field Experience

The Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership program represents a performance-based model of personnel preparation and is divided into 3 Levels. The first two levels require field experience associated with the completed coursework. Information on the field experience requirements of each course in the program of study may be found in the course syllabus. Following the completion of coursework and a successful performance review, candidates complete two semesters of clinical practice in an approved school setting.

Throughout the program, candidates record site and grade level placements of field experiences in their Live Text electronic portfolio. These records are assessed at each transition review by program faculty to ensure that candidates are developing a balanced set of field experiences that include work with diverse faculty and students in school settings.

Candidate Assessment Information

The Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership program requires candidates to complete a variety of assessments as they progress through the program of study. In addition to the admissions review, the program includes three transition reviews, one to exit each Level. Assessments include unit assessments that are incorporated into each College of Education and Human Development program of study, and program assessments unique to the Educational Leadership program. The table below provides the key assessments used in the program to determine candidate progression. Specific information about each assessment and scoring information for each assessment may be found by clicking on the appropriate link.

Assessments

School Leaders Licensure Assessment
State Licensure Test description scoring

Comprehensive Examination
Content-based Essays and Reflections

Clinical Supervision Project Faculty Intervention Plan

Clinical Field Survey; Mentor’s Confidential Evaluation Faculty and Site Supervisor’s evaluation – surveys, formative & summative logs and reflections

Personal Involvement in the School Improvement Plan Action Research

Leadership Framework Work Samples Work Sample Collection

Ensuring School Community Input for School’s Master Plan School Community Relations Project