The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program is designed to provide teachers with the skills needed to be an effective educational leader. Understanding the nature of the change process, the culture and climate of the organization, leadership styles, legal issues and the design of curriculum are aspects embedded in the program for the preparation of competent educational leaders. The practicum experience provides a framework for students to put into practice workable solutions for real world problems. The Masters in Educational Leadership degree is based on concepts and best practices recommended and required to pass state certification exams such as the Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE) and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC). Students completing this program are expected to have the necessary skills to become school and district level administrators and be capable of passing state leadership exams.

Program Objectives:

• Students will demonstrate the ability to create and conduct an action research project by designing the project including data gathering and analyzing through implementation. This is assessed with students completing assignments in ED 601 Action Research in the Classroom.
  
• Design a portfolio with artifacts demonstrating competencies for National Board certification. This is assessed with students completing assignments in ED 609 Preparing for the National Board.
  
• Develop and evaluate school improvement plans. This is assessed with students completing assignments in ED 613 School Improvement.
  
• Create a curriculum design reflecting the complete instructional design plan. This is assessed with students creating completing assignments in ED 626 Curriculum Design and Instruction.
  
• Conduct and evaluate a semester long research project. This is assessed with students completing assignments project in ED 601 Action Research in the Classroom.
  
• Practice effective managerial and leadership techniques in a protected environment. This is assessed with students completing assignments in ED 651 Management Theory and Development.
  
• Critique print and online communication pieces. This is assessed with students completing assignments in ED 656 Effective Communication Skills.
  
• Evaluate various scenarios to determine the most legally sound procedure to follow. This is assessed with students completing assignments in EDL 652 School Law.
  
• Demonstrate how school finances are budgeted to support educational programs. This is assessed with students completing assignments in EDL 653 School Finance.
  
• Analyze leadership styles and complete case studies related to leadership. This is assessed with students completing assignments in EDL 654 Leadership Theory.
  
• Design staff development plans including activities and evaluations. This is assessed with students completing assignments in EDL 655 Staff Development and Supervision.
  
• Create a class Web site incorporating technology integrated lessons and activities for students and parents. This is assessed with students completing assignments in ED 665 Integrating Technology in the Classroom.

Required Courses

ED 601 Action Research in the Classroom
ED 609 Preparing for the National Board and Beyond
ED 613 School Improvement
ED 626 Curriculum Design and Instruction
ED 628 Practicum I
EDL 651 Management Theory & Development
EDL 656 Effective Communication Skills
EDL 652 School Law
EDL 653 School Finance
EDL 654 Leadership Theory
EDL 655 Staff Development and Supervision (Prerequisite: Management Theory )
ED 665 Integrating Technology in the Classroom