Master of Education in Educational Leadership

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The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree program is designed to prepare school leaders with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to promote the success of students and teachers at the building level. The program utilizes national and state standards for administrators and competencies adopted by policymakers in Arkansas to address the needs of students and educators in P12 settings. Our program is designed to prepare visionary school leaders who will lead and manage at the elementary, middle and high school levels in schools across the state of Arkansas. Candidates apply for admission and are accepted into the program as a cohort each academic year. There are four phases in this program. Phase I: Collaboration and Resource Management (9 hours); Phase II: Equity and the Process of School Reform (9 hours); Phase III Data-Driven Decision-Making and School Law (9 hours); and Phase IV: School Management and Student Achievement (9 hours). Field experiences and internships are offered in educational settings under the supervision of a licensed and trained school administrator and a university supervisor.

36 Hours

Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Phase I - 9 Hours

Phase I: Collaboration and Resource Management. This phase continues to provide opportunities for candidates to demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge, skills and dispositions, expectations and accountability of effective school leaders in Arkansas and across the nation, based on the four domains in the LEADS framework (e.g., School Organization and Management (Domain I); School Culture and Climate (Domain II); Teaching and Learning (Domain III); and Human Capital Management (Domain IV)). Candidates examine the need to work with families and other external groups to share the school’s vision, develop effective two-way communication skills and enhance partnerships to support student success. Courses in this phase reflect on Domains I-IV. The knowledge and skills of school leaders in advocating for and handling school resources to support instructional, human and the fiscal aspects at the building level are addressed in this phase.

Phase II - 9 Hours

Phase II: Equity and the Process of School Reform. Candidates are expected to have a working knowledge of and ability apply the four governing documents which guide the program. This phase empowers prospective school leaders to identify the role of effective school leaders in addressing the social, political and economic implications in schools. Candidates also address the leaders’ accountability for increasing organizational effectiveness, applying change principles and utilizing specific approaches and procedures to evaluate programs and make revisions in issues that impact student teacher performance. Coursework, field and internship experiences in this phase reinforce Domains I-IV. In this phase of the preparation program, candidates will have been introduced to all of the domains in the LEADS framework.

Phase III - 9 Hours

Phase III: Data-Driven Decision-Making and School Law. This phase introduces the candidates to school leadership based on the LEADS Framework, Competencies for Grades P-12 School Administrators, and national and state standards. Courses developed for this phase provide the knowledge base for understanding theoretical concepts and foundations for school leadership and management. Candidates are introduced to the legal and ethical principles which shape dispositions and guide in decision-making skills of effective school leaders. Emphasis is also focused on the use of data to drive quality instruction and the leaders’ accountability for overall schools’ success. Courses in the phase are designed to shape dispositions of candidates and promote effectiveness in school leadership and management. Courses in this phase support all four of the Domains, with specific attention on Domains I, II and IV. Domains I, II and IV provide guidance on organizing, managing a safe school environment, and applying an ethical and professional value system.

Phase IV - 9 Hours

Phase IV: School Management and Student Achievement. This phase supports the preparation of effective school leaders in creating a positive school culture and climate that impacts teaching and learning. The knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary for effective instructional leadership in areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment are critical components in this phase of the program. Candidates will also examine strategies to attract, motivate, select and retain human resources to support students. Candidates are introduced to real world experiences in each of three internships. Opportunities to observe, lead and facilitate responsibilities at the building level are addressed during this internship experience. These experiences are directed by a trained/licensed school leader and a University Supervisor. Courses addressed in this phase support Domains II, III and IV.