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Educational Leadership

M.Ed./Ed.S. Educational Leadership

» Department of Leadership & Counseling   » College of Education


  • INTRODUCTION
  • WHAT IT TAKES
  • WHAT PEOPLE DO
  • GET INVOLVED
  • FACULTY

A Master of Education (M.Ed.) or an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership prepares you as a leader in education administration. The degree places you on the forefront of theory, and positions you to have an influence on policy-making and improving educational institutions.


This degree is for teachers and administrators who desire to be on the leading edge of their professions. With this degree, professionals will learn the skills to make important changes in the educational field at the local, regional, state and national levels. Students should have leadership skills and a desire to make positive changes in education.


The College of Education has established several educational leadership cohorts in communities where schools encourage personal growth. Cohorts in Sandpoint, Meridian and Grangeville have provided unique learning opportunities for teachers seeking to progress their education while continuing to teach.


This degree is available online, at the Boise campus, at the Coeur d’Alene campus and with various cohorts throughout the state.


Prepare for Success

If you are a teacher seeking to become a principal, superintendent or school administrator, you may consider a degree in educational leadership. Students should possess an academic background comparable to a bachelor’s degree in education.


Your First Year

Master’s degree (Principal Certification) courses:

  • EDAD509 Policy & Politics for Educational Leaders
  • EDAD513 Administration of Special Education Law
  • EDAD530 Ethical Leadership & Law in Education
  • EDAD533 Multicultural Diversity & Educational Leadership
  • EDAD534 The Principalship
  • EDAD535 School Finance
  • EDAD570 Foundations of Educational Research
  • EDAD595 Administration & Supervision of Personnel
  • EDAD598 Internship, Building Level
30 TOTAL HOURS

Education specialist degree (Superintendent Certification) courses:

  • EDAD571 Educational Leadership in a Global Society
  • EDAD584 Bargaining/Mediation/Arbitration
  • EDAD586 Advanced School Finance
  • EDAD587 The Superintendency
  • EDAD592 School Community Relations
  • EDAD593 School Facilities Planning & Maintenance
  • EDAD594 Theory in Educational Administration
  • EDAD598 Internship, Central Office
Plus two elective courses and an earned master’s degree in a related field to total a minimum of 60 credit hours in accordance with college, graduate school and university requirements


What You Can Do

Graduates become superintendents, principals and higher education administrators. Doctoral graduates are prepared for specialized positions in education and to provide administrative leadership.


Opportunities

Most educational leadership graduates are hired in public school district offices, universities, and private institutions and companies. Potential job titles include dean of instruction, academic division director and education specialist. Salaries range from $57,000 to $111,000 in Idaho, but salaries vary from state to state.


Current Research

Current faculty research is being conducted on the following topics:

  • Culturally responsive leadership
  • Social and cultural contexts of education
  • How technological and economic forces transform higher education
  • School law
  • Standards-based curriculum and assessment


Hands-On Experience

Educational leadership cohort groups form strong bonds that evolve into powerful networks of educational leaders statewide. As research projects evolve, students collaborate with faculty and other students to enhance both teaching and learning. Some of these projects include Dr. Mary Gardiner’s research on the experiences of beginning teachers in rural schools and how school leaders can mentor them effectively. She and her students presented a research paper at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) in New York in March 2008.


Online & Outreach

Instruction may be live, online or Web-assisted to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. Summer classes meet daily in two four-week sessions or are delivered online. It is possible to take most classes online with advisor approval.


Faculty Involvement

A small student-to-faculty ratio provides a unique opportunity for students to interact closely with faculty.



Kathy Canfiled-Davis
Kathy Canfield-Davis, Ph.D.
Interim Department Chair 2012-2013 and Associate Professor
Research interests: Social Justice, women in leadership, human rights, K-12 policy and governance and educational leadership.
» View Kathy Canfield-Davis' Profile
Mary Gardiner
Mary E. Gardiner, Ph.D.
Professor
» View Mary Gardiner's Profile
Michael Johnson
Michael Johnson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Research interests: the “Walmartization” of higher education; higher education policy and governance; the role of the superintendency; school principal preparation, women in leadership; the effects of globalization; the effect and use of technology in educational leadership
» View Michael Johnson's Profile
Penny Tenuto
Penny Tenuto, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
» View Penny Tenuto's Profile
Don Wattam
Donald Wattam
Assistant Professor
Research interests: Educational law, rural education leadership, leadership governance
» View Donald Wattam's Profile