Degree Requirements: MAEd in Educational Leadership

The MAEd in Educational Leadership requires 33 credit hours and offers two program pathways: a School, Community, and Higher Education Leadership Track Non-Licensure Track and a Principal Endorsement (PK–22) Licensure Track.

School, Community, and Higher Education Leadership Track Non-Licensure Track

Students complete:

  • Eight core courses (24 credits)
  • Two electives in a targeted area of leadership study (6 credits)
  • Capstone Action Research Course (3 credits)

Total Credits: 33

The Capstone Action Research Course is an inquiry-based project focused on a real-world problem of practice within a school, community organization, or educational setting. Students apply leadership theory and research to analyze and address challenges in their professional context.

Principal Endorsement (PK–22) Licensure Track

Students pursuing the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) General Administrator (K–12) Principal Endorsement complete:

  • Nine core courses (27 credits)
  • Two semesters of Internship Seminar (6 credits)

Total Credits: 33

The seminar sequence supports completion of a two-semester Administrative Internship conducted within a PK–12 school setting. Candidates develop and submit required ISBE artifacts and complete a School Leadership Portfolio demonstrating leadership competencies required for licensure. Candidates must also pass the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) Principal examination.

Core Courses

  • EDU 615 Ethical Leadership in Changing Times (3) 
  • EDU 617 Systems of Support for Learning (3) 
  • EDU 627 Leading Diverse Learning Communities (3) 
  • EDU 629 Instructional Coaching and Supervision (3) 
  • EDU 638 Management of School Systems and Resources (3)* 
  • EDU 643 School Law (3) 
  • EDU 644 Leading a Resilient Learning Community (3) 
  • EDU 616 School Improvement Planning (3) 
  • EDU 776 Integrating Technology into Programming, Services, and Instruction (3) 

*Required for licensure track

Administrative Internship (Licensure Track)

Candidates pursuing the Principal Endorsement must complete a two-semester administrative internship in a PK–12 school under the supervision of a mentor principal and a university faculty supervisor. The internship provides sustained leadership experiences aligned with state leadership standards. 

  • EDU 647 Internship Seminar I (3) 
  • EDU 649 Internship Seminar II (3)