Educational Leadership, M.A.

The Master of Arts in educational leadership 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 problem-oriented instructional 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 the 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 or 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. Students should possess above-average GPA and sufficient TOEFL scores (for international applicants).

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

Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Review Process

The program has a year-round, rolling application process. Applications are reviewed by committee.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for graduate assistantship, applicants should complete their applications by February 1. 

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

Accreditation

The School of Education at Saint Louis University is accredited by Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). To contact CAEP:

1140 19th St NW #400
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 223-0077

1. Graduates will be able to explain how leadership vision, mission, and goals promote student success
2. Graduates will be able to analyze leadership implementation strategies
3. Graduates will be able to explain how school culture affects student learning
4. Graduates will be able to analyze the effectiveness of instructional practices
5. Graduates will be able to explain how professional learning affects student learning
6. Graduates will be able to explain educational management and organizational theories
7. Graduates will be able to explain the educator evaluation and management process
8. Graduates will be able to explain effective resource management strategies
9. Graduates will be able to explain how to build community relationships that promote student learning
10. Graduates will be able to analyze school/community connection strategies
11. Graduates will be able to explain how to identify community resources to support student learning
12. Graduates will be able to explain principles of educational ethics
13. Graduates will be able to 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 take 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. Courses are taught as part of a cohort program that is enhanced by problem-based learning, evidenced-based content that connects theory and practice, and opportunities for practice. Students engage in professional learning by collaborating with peers using problem-oriented instructional strategies, studying a curriculum grounded in the literature on effective practice, engaging in professionally-guided practice in schools, and completing an in-depth practicum experience as well as the option for an internship under the guidance of on-site supervisors. 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 the completion of a written examination, and an oral examination.  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:
SLU School of Education
314-977-3292
slued@slu.edu