The Master of Educational Leadership requires 36 credit hours across the following courses. All courses are 3 credit hours unless otherwise noted.
EDUC 600: Foundations, Issues, and Trends in Educational Leadership | 3 credit hours
This course serves as the foundation for students pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school administration, including athletic administration and coaching. Course content is based on the unique challenges and demands faced by contemporary school leaders and is both interactive and reflective. In addition to direct instruction, the course features learning through case studies, class discussions, and personal reflection. Students will assess their individual skills, talents, and potential as leaders and develop a professional improvement plan oriented toward school administration. Topics include organizational theory and behavior, administrative theory and practice, decision-making, organizational communications, historical perspectives, and current issues and trends. Offered asynchronously through Central Methodist University.
EDUC 603: Philosophies and Theories of Educational Leadership | 3 credit hours
This course provides a foundation for developing a personal and professional leadership style grounded in the evolution of leadership theory and reflective of the influence of social locations and identities. Students receive an overview of the theoretical framework for leadership practice, resulting in the application of theory and best practices for future leaders in educational organizations. Through exposure to recognized leaders in education and other fields, students will explore which leadership principles resonate with their area of work and study. The course engages students in interdisciplinary analyses of leadership theories and philosophies and examines the complex ethical and professional responsibilities within professional and community relationships.
EDUC 613: Organizational Leadership and Supervision | 3 credit hours
This course introduces students to the principles and practices of educational administration. It emphasizes the nature of the administrative process, leadership theory, long-range planning, and personnel management. Students will examine the structures, governance, and policies of public education, as well as the impact of reform efforts at the local, state, and federal levels. Topics include the legal, business, and financial dimensions of schools, as well as the political, social, and cultural contexts that shape educational leadership. Special attention is given to the administration of schools and programs serving multicultural student populations and students with exceptionalities.
EDUC 623: Instructional Leadership and Supervision | 3 credit hours
This course provides an in-depth study of instructional leadership with a focus on effective supervision practices in P–12 educational settings. Emphasis is placed on the use of the NIET Teaching and Learning Standards Rubric as a framework for observing, coaching, and evaluating teacher effectiveness. Students will examine strategies for conducting instructional walkthroughs, providing actionable feedback, and supporting professional growth through collaborative supervision models. The course also explores supervision of students and student programs, including approaches to fostering academic achievement, engagement, and equitable opportunities. Candidates will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to create and sustain high-quality instructional environments that advance both student learning and teacher development.
EDUC 633: Financial Administration and Budgeting | 3 credit hours
The landscape of public education is rapidly evolving within a global context of social and economic change. As schools adapt to these pressures, educational leaders must understand not only the broad principles of finance as a public good, but also the practical realities of resource allocation and fiscal decision-making at the local level. This course provides an overview of the financing of public elementary and secondary education in the United States, with emphasis on both theoretical foundations and applied practices. Topics include revenue sources, funding formulas, budgeting processes, and trends in the fiscal structures of public education. Students will examine how financial policies shape equity, accountability, and student opportunity, while developing skills in analyzing school budgets, evaluating financial reports, and planning for responsible stewardship of public resources.
EDUC 643: Educational Law | 3 credit hours
This course provides a study of the American legal system and the court decisions affecting education. Emphasis is placed on the legal rights and responsibilities of students, teachers, administrators, and others involved in the public education process. Offered asynchronously through Central Methodist University.
EDUC 653: Curriculum I: Instructional Strategies and Engaged Learning | 3 credit hours
This course examines principles and practices of curriculum design with a focus on instructional strategies that promote deep, engaged learning for diverse student populations. Students will explore approaches to designing coherent curriculum, selecting appropriate instructional methods, and creating learning environments that are responsive to the needs of all learners. The course draws on both research and practical application, preparing educational leaders to support and evaluate curriculum at the classroom, school, and district levels. Offered as a face-to-face course during the summer term.
EDUC 663: Curriculum II: Curriculum Innovations and Technology | 3 credit hours
Building on Curriculum I, this course focuses on innovations in curriculum design with particular attention to the role of technology in transforming teaching and learning. Students will examine emerging trends in educational technology, explore frameworks for integrating digital tools into curriculum and instruction, and develop strategies for leading technology-informed change in their schools and organizations. Emphasis is placed on equity of access and the ethical use of technology in educational settings. Offered as a face-to-face course during the summer term.
EDUC 673: Measurements and Assessment | 3 credit hours
This course provides an introduction to the principles, methods, and applications of educational measurement and assessment. Students will explore foundational concepts such as validity, reliability, fairness, and standardization, while engaging with practical strategies for designing classroom assessments, interpreting standardized test results, and using data to guide instructional and leadership decisions. Emphasis is placed on the role of assessment in accountability systems, student learning, and program evaluation within P–12 schools. Through case studies and applied activities, students will learn to critically analyze assessment tools, evaluate data for equity and accuracy, and communicate results effectively to diverse stakeholders. This course bridges measurement theory with hands-on practice to prepare educational leaders for informed, ethical, and equitable assessment decisions.
EDUC 683: Research Methods | 3 credit hours
This course introduces students to the foundational principles and practices of educational research, with an emphasis on applying research skills to real-world problems in schools and communities. Students will examine quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches and learn how to critically read, evaluate, and apply research findings to leadership practice. The course also explores community engagement as a dimension of educational inquiry, preparing leaders to conduct and interpret research that is meaningful, ethical, and responsive to their local contexts.
EDUC 693: Personnel and Human Resources in Education | 3 credit hours
The effectiveness of schools depends on the people who make up the staff and the leader's ability to guide organizational goals through them. This course prepares future leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to hire, support, and supervise personnel across all roles in education. Topics include recruitment and selection, teacher induction and mentoring, supervision and evaluation, professional development, policy design, contracts, tenure, promotion, and dismissal. Emphasis is placed on building positive school culture, ensuring equity in personnel practices, and applying principles of adult learning. Students will strengthen their understanding of human resource administration through readings, assignments, and 15 pre-practicum field experiences in school settings with practicing educational leaders.
EDUC 701, 702, 703: Administrative Internship | 1–3 (3 credits total required) credit hours
This course is designed to accompany a semester-long internship in a school setting. It provides a forum for students to integrate their internship experience with prior professional practice, leadership theory, and research on school improvement. Conducted as a face-to-face seminar, the course emphasizes consultation, collaboration, and critical discussion among peers and the professor. Students will engage in guided reflection, share field experiences, and analyze the organizational and instructional challenges they encounter. Weekly reflective journals and seminar discussions support students in connecting theory to practice and developing the skills needed for effective school leadership. This course may be taken for one, two, or three credits, combining for a total of 3 required credits.