Courses

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.

Teacher Leader Emphasis

Course work in the Teacher Leader Emphasis for the master’s program in educational leadership provides for core knowledge and skills to be explored through five required courses (15 credits) and for individualized program study to be explored through five elective courses (15 credits).

Teacher Leader Required Courses (15 credits)

3

credits

This course focuses on understanding teacher leadership and its function with the school system.
3

credits

This course focuses on understanding schools as learning organizations and how teacher leadership works in such organizations.
3

credits

Focuses on several general models developed for school improvement purposes.
3

credits

Provides aspiring leaders with learning opportunities and activities authentic to school leaders and leadership roles in educational organizations.
3

credits

Completion and public presentation of an inquiry project reflecting an understanding of the five leadership strands. Taken in the final semester of the program.

Teacher Leader Electives (15 credits)

Selected by the student with support from their program adviser.

Two EDLDR electives (6 total credits) at the 500- or 800-level
One EDLDR elective (3 total credits) at the 500-level
One open graduate elective (3 total credits) at the 500- or 800-level
One open graduate elective (3 total credits) at the 500-level

School Leader Emphasis

School Leader Required Courses (30 credits)

The course work 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.

3

credits

Development of educational leadership. Relationships among local, state, and federal agencies. Introduction to current concepts and theories.
3

credits

The analysis and use of the foundations which underlie models of curriculum design.
3

credits

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

Focuses on the development of skills related to data use that will help inform administrative and leadership decisions in school settings.
3

credits

Focuses on several general models developed for school improvement purposes.
3

credits

Provides aspiring leaders with learning opportunities and activities authentic to school leaders and leadership roles in educational organizations.
3

credits

The principalship course provides students with knowledge specific to the role of the principal in K–12 schools.
3

credits

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

Provides 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

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.

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.

Ready to Learn More?

Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.