Educational Leadership, M.A.

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at Saint Louis University's School of Education has a multidisciplinary design, enhanced by problem-based learning, evidence-based content that connects theory and practice, and opportunities for practice. Students engage in professional learning by collaborating with peers using solution-oriented leadership strategies, studying a curriculum grounded in the literature on effective practice, engaging in professionally guided practice in schools, and completing in-depth internships in schools under the guidance of on-site supervisors.

In addition to the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, a master's degree with a concentration in Catholic education is offered. The Catholic education concentration is designed to prepare students for school-level leadership positions, most commonly principalship in Catholic elementary, middle and high schools, as well as teacher leadership. Coursework engages students with the unique aspects of Catholic educational leadership, including spiritual leadership and the vocation of a Catholic school leader and non-public school administration such as funding mechanisms and applicable laws, while preparing students to take the Missouri assessments for principal certification.

Curriculum Overview

The degree requires a completion of 32 credits of coursework and culmination examinations. The Catholic education concentration requires completion of 33 credits of coursework. An additional three-credit internship is required for Catholic education students wishing to pursue Missouri Principal Certification.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

All courses include school-based application of concepts and processes. Students in the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership complete a site-based internship.  In the concentration in Catholic education, students complete a practicum requiring involvement in school-site leadership activities at multiple schools. Catholic education students seeking Missouri certification as a principal must complete an additional site-based internship.

Careers

The master's in educational leadership prepares students to fill a variety of leadership roles including: principal, assistant principal, program director and curriculum/teacher leader.

The Catholic education concentration prepares students to fill a variety of leadership roles, most often Catholic school principal, assistant principal positions or teacher leader positions, including formal positions such as department chair or program director and informal roles such as mentoring, coaching and modeling effective Catholic school teaching and faith formation.

Admission Requirements

Begin your application for this program at www.slu.edu/apply.

Application Requirements

• Application form and fee
• Transcript(s)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Résumé
• Professional goal statement

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• Proof of financial support must include:
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
• Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application Deadlines

Domestic students should apply for the fall semester by June 15, for the spring semester by November 1, and for the summer semester by April 1. International students should apply by May 1 for the fall semester, October 1 for the spring semester, and February 1 for the summer semester.

Review Process

Applications are reviewed by committee.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for departmental graduate scholarships, students should complete their applications by the program admission deadlines listed.  

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://www.slu.edu/financial-aid.

The program is aligned with the Missouri Leadership Development System Standards (MLDS) and with the professional standards for educational leaders (PSEL). The areas included in the MLDS include: visionary leader, instructional leader, managerial leader, relational leader, and innovative leader. The outcomes are aligned with the SLU graduate student outcomes.

M.A. Outcomes:

1. The candidate will explain how leadership vision, mission, and goals promote student success.

2. The candidate will analyze leadership implementation strategies.

3. The candidate will explain how school culture affects student learning.

4. The candidate will analyze the effectiveness of instructional practices.

5. The candidate will explain how professional learning affects student learning.

6. The candidate will explain educational management and organizational theories.

7. The candidate will explain the educator evaluation and management process.

8. The candidate will explain effective resource management strategies.

9. The candidate will explain how to build community relationships that promote student learning.

10. The candidate will analyze school/community connection strategies.

11. The candidate explains how to identify community resources to support student learning.

12. The candidate will explain principles of educational ethics.

13. The candidate will explain how to support the instructional practice of teachers to support student learning.

Standard Track

Catholic Education Concentration

Non-Course Requirements

• Students seeking Missouri certification as a principal must pass both the practicum and internship course and pass the Missouri Leaders assessment.
• Students must pass program culmination examinations, oral and written.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard Track 

Catholic Education Concentration

Program Notes

The Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership cohort program in Catholic school leadership includes outcomes aligned with national and state standards as well as those articulated by the Catholic Church. All courses are taught in a four-Saturday format (Fall and Spring), and in an eight week period spanning mid-May to mid-July in the summer.

The program is designed to prepare students for school-level leadership positions, most commonly the principalship in Catholic elementary, middle, high schools, as well as teacher-leadership. Coursework engages students with the unique aspects of Catholic educational leadership including spiritual leadership, the vocation of the Catholic school educator, and the evangelizing Catholic school, and non-public school administration such as recruitment, funding mechanisms, and laws applicable in religious schools, while preparing students to take the assessments for principal certification. The degree additionally requires that students pass program culmination examinations, oral and written.  Students seeking Missouri state certification as a building principal are required to take EDL 5913 Internship: Building Principal.

Apply for Admission

For additional admission questions, please contact:
Saint Louis University School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu