Master's (M.Ed.) Educational Leadership
Quick Facts
- Application requirements: Online application, transcripts, minimum GPA of 3.0 (undergraduate), proof of English language proficiency, two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.
- International Students: Please visit this page for information regarding transcript evaluation requirements.
- Deadline(s): April 15 for summer start, July 15 for fall start and Dec. 15 for spring start. The application and all supporting materials are due by the listed deadlines.
- Course Requirements: 10 courses (30 credits)
- Typical Course Load: Fall (2 courses), Spring (2 courses), Summer (1-2 courses)
- Time to Completion: 1 1/2-2 years
- Alumni Current Positions: Graduates work as PK-12 school leaders, college and university administrators (e.g., admissions, alumni relations, athletics, college life). This also includes international school leader roles such as school head and school director.
Overview
The digital revolution, the movement toward greater inclusion in schools, and other seismic shifts in education have changed the field dramatically, making the need for highly effective and versatile leaders greater than ever.
Lehigh’s master’s of Educational Leadership prepares individuals for leadership positions in a broad range of educational institutions and related organizations and agencies. Alumni of the program work in such areas as school leadership and administration, higher education, and community and educational organizations. The need for leaders in K-12 schools is expected to grow by 8 percent in the decade between 2016 and 2026, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Some students earn the master’s degree while they are working toward their Pennsylvania Principal Certification, with just two additional courses. For more information about the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirements for Principal Certification, please see the link below.
The M.Ed. program also serves as a foundation for those wishing to enter Lehigh’s doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
The master’s requires a minimum of 30 credits. Students take five core courses in such subjects as organizational leadership, research, data-based decision-making and diversity. In addition, they take another five courses or 15 credits in their area of interest, with approval by their faculty advisor. So, for example, students can take graduate courses in such subjects as Special Education, Teaching, Learning and Technology, and Counseling and other education-related areas.
Students can be full-time or part-time. Most classes are offered in person in the late afternoon or evening for the convenience of working professionals but there is the potential to do some courses online.
Lehigh’s noted faculty includes professors with years of experience in school administration and teaching as well those at the vanguard of research into best practices.
For more information on Pennsylvania Department of Education principal certification requirements, see this link.
Curriculum
| COURSE NUMBER | COURSE NAME | CREDITS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements (15 credits) | ||||
| EDL 400 | Organizational Leadership & Change Management (F, SP, SU) | 3 | ||
| EDL 424 | Leadership: Self & Groups (F, SU) | 3 | ||
| EDUC 471 | Diversity (F, SP, SU) | 3 | ||
| EDL 420 | Data Based Decision Making (SU) | 3 | ||
| EDUC 403 | Research (F, SP, SU) | 3 | ||
| Leadership & Management Skills (15 credits must be approved by advisor) | ||||
| Total Credits | 30 | |||
Click here to view the course catalog which provides descriptions of the courses.
