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Program Overview
Learn how to review, analyze and apply concepts and theories of leadership with the Master of Science in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University. With no education degree or teaching background required, this versatile, 100% online program will give you the knowledge and professional skills applicable to any educational setting.
$14,990* Total Tuition
as few as 12 months Program Duration
36 Credit Hours
This MS in Educational Leadership online program is taught by respected faculty with extensive experience in their fields, and offers core courses designed to meet Florida Principal Leadership Standards. This program also aligns with the competencies and skills needed to obtain the leadership certification.
In this program you will learn the principles and techniques of effective communication and gain the skills for exercising leadership in human resource administration, school law and finance. You will also study instructional aspects and curriculum planning for diverse student populations, the role of standardized testing, and research and assessment aimed at performance improvement.
A guided field experience/practicum in a school or alternative education setting embedded in the program helps you apply your learning and prepares you for ethical leadership in a variety of professional settings.
Program Focus
- Demonstrate competency in the leadership skills and competencies embedded in the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and Community of Care and Support for Students. Cluster 1 of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015 (S4 & S5) (Shadowing Experience 1).
- Formulate and implement job-embedded projects that demonstrate effective leadership and are based on school/student or alternative site needs and are embedded in the Professional Capacity of School and alternative Personnel, Professional Community for Teachers and Staff and alternative, Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community, and Operations and Management. Cluster 2 of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015 (S6, S7, S8, & S9) (School-site Mini Project 1).
- Evaluate his/her leadership capacity as it relates to problem solving, implementing change, and ethical decision-making and is embedded in the Mission, Vision and Core Values; Ethics and Professional Norms; and Equity and Cultural Responsiveness. Cluster 3 of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015 (S1, S2, & S3) (Shadowing Experience 2).
- Synthesize the knowledge, skills and competencies developed during prior courses and overall program experience and embedded in the Domain of School or alternative site Improvement of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders 2015 (S10) (Shadowing Experience 3).
Career Opportunities
- Principal or Vice Principal
- Department Head
- Director of Curriculum
- Athletic Director
- Academic Program Developer
- Technology Director
- Corporate Instructional Leader
- Corporate Training Director
Tuition
St. Thomas University prides itself on offering a quality private school education at public university prices. Our pay-by-the course tuition for the MS in Educational Leadership online degree program is affordable and priced with the working student in mind. Financial aid may also be available for students who qualify. The e-tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state online students.
| Per Credit Hour | Per Three-Credit Course | Program Tuition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition* | $444.17 | $1,332.51 | $15,990 |
| Tuition after scholarship** | $416.39 | $1,249.17 | $14,990* |
*Tuition rates apply to new students starting on or after the 2018 Summer II term.
**Scholarship: All students new to the program qualify for a $1,000 scholarship, reducing tuition to $14,990.
[close-]Calendar
The School of Leadership, Education & Communication offers multiple start dates each year for the convenience of our MS in Educational Leadership online students. Students should consider application date deadlines, turn in all the required documents, register for classes and pay tuition for their desired program start date.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Tuition Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall II 2018 | 10/20/18 | 10/08/18 | 10/15/18 | 10/19/18 | 10/19/18 |
| Spring I 2019 | 01/12/19 | 12/31/18 | 01/07/19 | 01/11/19 | 01/11/19 |
| Spring II 2019 | 03/16/19 | 03/04/19 | 03/11/19 | 03/15/19 | 03/15/19 |
| Summer I 2019 | 05/11/19 | 04/29/19 | 05/06/19 | 05/10/19 | 05/10/19 |
| Summer 2 2019 | 07/06/19 | 06/24/19 | 07/01/19 | 07/05/19 | 07/05/19 |
| Fall 1 2019 | 08/31/19 | 08/19/19 | 08/26/19 | 08/30/19 | 08/30/19 |
| Fall 2 2019 | 10/26/19 | 10/14/19 | 10/21/19 | 10/25/19 | 10/25/19 |
Admissions
The School of Leadership, Education & Communication admission process has specific requirements that students must meet to enroll in the MS in Educational Leadership online program. The following are the admission requirements, including information on required materials and where to send them:
- Completed application for admission
- Minimum 2.6 GPA
- Official college and/or university transcripts from the institution where the bachelor's degree was conferred. All applicants are required to submit transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended.
All documents should be sent to:
St. Thomas University, Office of Admissions16401 NW 37th Ave., Mimi Dooner Hall
Miami Gardens, FL 33054-6459
Transcripts delivered via digital transcript services EScrip and Parchment should be emailed to admissions@stu.edu.
[close-]Courses
To complete the MS in Educational Leadership online program, students must complete the following 12 courses for a total of 36 credit hours.
EDU 503: Applied Research Methods
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This is an introductory course that surveys the variety of research designs used in educational settings with an application of evaluation research. This course is intended to make the student an informed consumer of research.
EDU 530: Educational Measurement
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course introduces teachers and educational leaders to elements of assessment that are essential to good teaching. It provides students with an understanding of the role of assessment in the instructional process. Students will learn how to construct effective test questions that are aligned with learning objectives. They will also study how to evaluate published tests, properly interpret the scores of standardized tests and make appropriate modifications for ESOL students.
EDF 660: Social, Philosophical and Historical Foundations of Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will guide students in examining and explaining the differing social contexts of schooling, the diverse value orientations represented in formal and informal education, and the major historical forces that shape schooling in America.
EDF 621: Psychological Foundations of Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This intermediate course is designed to apply psychological theories and principles of learning and development to teaching and student learning in career areas related to education. Challenges of diversity and teacher effectiveness are emphasized.
EDA 601: Leadership in Education
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course will review, analyze and apply concepts and theories of leadership with an emphasis on the importance of instructional and ethical leadership within a school. The impact of organizational and environmental factors, group dynamics, and change processes on school-site administration are explored.
EDA 616: Technology to Support Educational Leadership
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This graduate course is designed for Education Administration students. It provides students with a knowledge base on issues and concerns regarding computer use in education with an emphasis on technology planning and evaluation in K-12 settings. The course exposes students to a variety of computer applications for administrative and instructional uses and provides the opportunity for hands-on activities.
EDA 602: Communication in Educational Leadership
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an analysis of the principles, processes and techniques of effective communication, public relations in educational leadership, and school-community relations.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Students in this course will investigate the impact of school law on the rights of students and educators as guaranteed by the Constitution and its amendments. This investigation will include state and federal statutory and regulatory provisions; professional conduct of teachers, staff and administrators; and tort and contract liability.
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course describes and analyzes current and emerging school finance plans; the influence of courts and federal and state legislation on those plans; the Florida Education Finance Plan; and the budget responsibilities of the school principal.
EDA 606: Curriculum and Instruction for Diverse Student Populations
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course provides a study of curriculum development and planning with an emphasis on meeting the needs of special-need and limited-English students. Educational programs at all levels are reviewed in light of new federal and state accountability standards. The development of assessment skills related to curriculum evaluation is emphasized, and strategies for curriculum improvement are explored.
EDA 608: School Personnel Management
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the rationale and organizational structure that support effective human resource administration. Major dimensions of the entire human resource management function will be examined. Processes, procedures and techniques necessary to carry out these dimensions will be identified. The focus in this course is on skills needed for exercising leadership in school personnel recruitment, selection, assessment and development.
EDA 612: Applied Leadership Theory for Educational Leadership
Duration: 7 weeks | Credit Hours: 3
Students in this course will analyze the authority and responsibilities of the principalship through a guided field experience/project-based practicum in a K-12 or alternative setting. In addition, current topics on the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for school leadership will be explored in a seminar format. The final product for the course includes the portfolio, implementation timeline, final evaluation of the plan, and reflection on the individual’s leadership and administrative strengths and opportunities for future professional growth.
