Education and Instruction Leadership

The Master’s in Instructional Leadership (MSEd) (not leading to certification) is a 36-credit, post-master’s level program whose purpose is to prepare teachers who want to assume more active roles in school reform and renewal as teacher leaders without permanently moving to administration. Their role is to work individually and collectively with the principals, assistant principals, students, and the school community to improve teaching and learning practices and the emotional well-being of students. Teacher leaders assume new roles such as mentoring, coaching new teachers, running induction programs for new teachers, convening professional development for teachers, leading inquiry teams, developing curricula, advising on technology, assisting in evaluating teachers, assuming content chair positions, and so on.

The program uses a cohort model that encourages candidates to build relationships and a sense of community among classmates, providing a foundation for lasting professional networks. Coursework focuses on understanding education administration, and management and leadership in urban settings that includes the acquisition of managerial skills applicable to a range of educational institutions. The program integrates theoretical and applied knowledge in all coursework, including course seminars, simulated experiences, planned fieldwork experiences, and universal design for learning (UDL) to promote and prepare candidates to be effective leaders and agents of change in high-needs schools, school systems, and educational organizations.