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Relevant Course Work

Penn State's 30-credit online master of education degree in educational leadership emphasizes the knowledge and skills that you need as a teaching professional to achieve a supervisory role in your school. Each course in the program focuses on helping you to integrate your teaching experience while honing your leadership skills.

Once you are accepted into the program, you may begin your course work at the start of an academic semester. The typical student course load is expected to be three to four courses per year.

Collaborative Experience, Practical Applications

The master's degree curriculum uses a blend of web technology, print, and other media to maximize flexibility without sacrificing professor and student interaction.

Communication tools, including bulletin boards and email, are used to foster a collaborative environment, providing you with the opportunity to learn from one another. The curriculum and course format can help you develop practical applications of the topics you study. Learn online when it is convenient for you, and immediately apply what you've learned to your job.

Course List - Master of Education in Educational Leadership 

Teacher Leader Emphasis

Coursework in the Teacher Leader Emphasis for the Master’s Degree program in Educational Leadership, provides for core knowledge and skills to be explored through five required courses (15 credits), and also for individualized program study to be explored through five elective courses (15 credits).

Required Courses
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introduction to Teacher Leadership EDLDR 801 This course focuses on understanding teacher leadership and its function with the school system. 3 credits
How Schools Work EDLDR 802 This course focuses on understanding schools as learning organizations and how teacher leadership works in such organizations.

3 credits
Planned Change for School Improvement EDLDR 859 This course focuses on several general models developed for school improvement purposes. It also explores the component pieces of school improvement, including leadership, professional development/professional learning communities, and a focus on teaching and learning including standards, instruction, and assessments. 3 credits
Principles of Instructional Leadership EDLDR 861 The purpose of this course is to provide aspiring leaders with learning opportunities and activities authentic to school leaders and leadership roles in educational organizations. 3 credits

EDLDR Elective

 500- or 800-Level Selected Course Electives selected by the student with support from their program advisor.  3 credits
EDLDR Elective 500- or 800-Level Selected Course Electives selected by the student with support from their program advisor.  3 credits
EDLDR Elective 500-Level Selected Course Electives selected by the student with support from their program advisor.  3 credits
Open Graduate Elective 500- or 800-Level Open Graduate Course Electives selected by the student with support from their program advisor.  3 credits
Open Graduate Elective 500-Level Open Graduate Course Electives selected by the student with support from their program advisor.  3 credits
Capstone Inquiry Course EDLDR 894 Completion and public presentation of an inquiry project reflecting an understanding of the five leadership strands. Taken in the final semester of the program. 3 credits

School Leader Emphasis

The coursework for the School Leader emphasis is based on Pennsylvania standards and can help prepare you to become an effective school administrator. You will take specially designed courses along with a dedicated internship with a mentor from the field of education.

Required Courses
Title Abbreviation Description Credits
Introduction to Educational Leadership EDLDR 480 Development of educational leadership. Relationships among local, state, and federal agencies. Introduction to current concepts and theories.  3 credits
Curriculum Design: Theory and Practice EDLDR 551
(C-S 551)		 The analysis and use of the foundations which underlie models of curriculum design. 3 credits
Leadership for Equity and Diversity EDLDR 831 This course serves as an exploration of the school leaders' role in promoting equity and diversity for all members of the school community.  3 credits
Data Informed Leadership EDLDR 841 This course focuses on the development of skills related to data use that will help inform administrative and leadership decisions in school settings.  3 credits
Planned Change for School Improvement EDLDR 859

This course focuses on several general models developed for school improvement purposes. It also explores the component pieces of school improvement, including leadership, professional development/professional learning communities, and a focus on teaching and learning including standards, instruction, and assessments.

 3 credits
Principles of Instructional Leadership

EDLDR 861

The purpose of this course is to provide aspiring leaders with learning opportunities and activities authentic to school leaders and leadership roles in educational organizations.

 3 credits
The Principalship for Aspiring School Leaders EDLDR 868

The course is intended to help students gain theoretical and practical insight into what it means to be an effective principal.

 3 credits
Money and Schools: Perspectives, Finance Policies, and Leadership EDLDR 873

This course gives students an overview of the values and policies shaping school finance in the United States, with a special emphasis on the relationship between education funding and equity. 

 3 credits
The Law and Education for Educational Leaders EDLDR 876 This course will provide an overview of major issues in school law. The course will focus primarily on case law including U.S. Supreme Court decisions as well as relevant state and federal lower court opinions. 3 credits
Principal Internship EDLDR 595 Required field experience across a calendar year for students in order to receive their principal certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Students earn 1 credit for each of 3 consecutive semesters for a total of 3 credits. 3 credits

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.