Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

Our graduate program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is designed for educators seeking an administration/supervision endorsement for leading a public school in Virginia along with those who seek positions of leadership in nonpublic schools. Applicants with a master’s degree earn the graduate certificate, while applicants with a bachelor’s degree earn the master’s degree.

Developing effective school leaders requires combining teaching of leadership theory with practical application through real-world experiences. As a result, all of our classes are complemented by a relevant practicum.

Admission to the M.Ed. program is open to qualified applicants with a baccalaureate degree. Admission to the graduate certificate program is open to qualified applicants who have a master’s degree. Applicants to both programs should have a strong foundational knowledge in K-12 education, which may be demonstrated by classroom teaching experience (preferably three years). A valid teaching license is preferred but not required.

Successful completion of the ELPS program (M.Ed. or graduate certificate) satisfies Virginia’s licensure endorsement requirement for an approved program in administration and supervision from a regionally accredited university, including the 320 hour internship.

Degree Requirements

General Graduate Admissions Graduate Educational Leadership Admissions
  • M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

    Master of Education in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

    Total: 31 semester hours

    CORE
    15 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses. Each course includes a 30-hour practicum.

    • EDUC601U Foundations of Educational Leadership Studies

    • EDUC602U Data for Decision-Making

    • EDUC603U Leading and Supervising Instruction

    • EDUC605U School Law and Policy for Ethical Leadership

    • EDUC606U Organizational Operations in Human Resource and Fiscal Leadership

    PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
    9 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses. Each course includes a 10-hour practicum.

    • EDUC630U School Technology

    • EDUC632U Leading Change through an Equity Lens

    • EDUC635U Strategic Improvement and Effective Communication in Schools

    FIELD EXPERIENCE
    7 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses. Reflective Leadership Seminar residency includes 170 hours in practicum.

    • EDUC610U Reflective Leadership Seminar I

    • EDUC611U Reflective Leadership Seminar II

    CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
    All candidates must complete a Capstone Assignment.

  • Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership &...

    Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies

    An earned graduate degree is required for admission.

    Total: 22 semester hours

    CORE
    15 semester hours. All candidates must complete the following courses. Each course includes a 30-hour practicum.

    • EDUC601U Foundations of Educational Leadership Studies

    • EDUC602U Data for Decision-Making

    • EDUC603U Leading and Supervising Instruction

    • EDUC605U School Law and Policy for Ethical Leadership

    • EDUC606U Organizational Operations in Human Resource and Fiscal Leadership

    FIELD EXPERIENCE
    7 semester hours. Includes 170 hour practicum hours.

    • EDUC610U Reflective Leadership Seminar I

    • EDUC611U Reflective Leadership Seminar II

    CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE
    All candidates must complete a Capstone Assignment.