Educational Leadership, M.Ed. (Online)

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The College of Education and Human Development offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Educational Leadership, designed to prepare students for roles in school leadership at all levels from pre-K to secondary education. Courses leading to the M.Ed. are taught by a core faculty with expertise in areas of educational foundations, organizational development, climate and culture, school administration, supervision and evaluation, research and assessment, curriculum development, school law, school finance, educational equity, and educational inclusion.

Program Learning Outcomes

The M.Ed in Educational Leadership is an innovative, university-district partnership created to prepare cohorts of exceptional teachers for educational leadership positions. Guided by experienced University faculty and principal mentors, M.Ed. cohorts will earn their advanced degree in Educational Leadership through participation in an intensive, experiential program of study aligned to the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. The accompanying internship will provide candidates with real world school-based leadership experiences focused on the skills and dispositions needed to serve as change agents and advocates for equity in 21st century schools.

The master’s graduate program in Educational Leadership aims to generate graduates who are well-versed in content, theories, research methods, and the application of knowledge to practice. The program of studies is designed to provide skills, knowledge, and understanding for entry level leadership positions.

Students will be able to:

facilitate the development, articulation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is context-specific, shared, and supported by the school community
advocate, nurture, and sustain a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
manage the organization, operations, and resources necessary for a safe, equitable, and inclusive learning environment.
collaborate with families and communities, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources in service of equitable learning outcomes.
act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
leverage foundational contexts of schooling in order to understand and influence the contemporary political, social, economic, legal, and cultural conditions of learning.

Contact Information

Jafeth Sanchez, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director
College of Education and Human Development
jesanchez@unr.edu
(775) 682-9078

Admission Requirements

Application to the program is made through the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno. Nevada Leads follows a cohort model, so applications are considered in the fall semester only. Cohorts begin coursework each spring.

Apply for admission to the Graduate School. Application must be made online at http://www.unr.edu/grad/admissions. Select “Educational Leadership M.Ed.” as your major. The application fee must accompany the submission.
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work. (If coursework was completed at UNR, Admissions and Records would already have your transcripts available for the Graduate School, and you need not send them.)
The graduate application and Educational Leadership MEd application are streamlined as one and must include:

Two letters that speak to the applicant’s potential for success both as a graduate student and as an educational administrator. It is recommended that one letter be from an immediate supervisor and at least one be from a university professor, but appropriate variations are acceptable.
A statement of purpose in joining the program, maximum of 1,000 words.
Although not required, applicants may submit additional information such as a vita/resume and cover letter that may provide relevant information for assessing professional promise.
A signed College of Education & Human Development Dispositions form must be submitted for the application to be considered complete.

Admission Criteria - Full Admission Status

Most applicants to the M.Ed. program surpass the minimum requirements established by the Graduate School (see the “Graduate School” chapter in this catalog), concerning specific regulations on graduate standing). Full admission is based on the following criteria:

Academic ability
Research and writing skills
Professional promise
Teaching and leadership experience
The collective professional judgment of the selection committee

Use of these criteria provides our department, program, and the applicant with an indication of probable success in the program.

I. Program Requirements

Nevada Administrative Endorsement

Elementary, Middle School, Junior High and Senior High School Principalship* (meets Nevada Administrative Certification requirements)

* Students who will obtain administration certification in another state should obtain requirements from the appropriate Department of Education, Office of Certification. We will attempt to accommodate students so that appropriate certification can be granted.

EL 700 - Basic Principles of Educational Administration (3 units)
EL 701 - Administration of School Staff Personnel (3 units)
EL 702 - Equity and Administration (3 units)
EL 703 - Administration and Curriculum Improvement (3 units)
EL 712 - History of Education (3 units)
EL 715 - Supervision and Evaluation of Teaching (3 units)
EL 725 - Public School Finance (3 units)
EL 735 - The Law of Public Education I (3 units)
EL 746 - Data Based Decision Making (3 units)
EL 747 - Research Analysis and Development (3 units)
EL 798 - Internship (1 to 9 units) (6 units; 1 unit per semester required)

Undergraduate Requirements

Applicants to the M. Ed. program must meet or surpass the minimum requirements established by the Graduate School (see the “Graduate School ” chapter in the catalog). Undergraduate level coursework in Education or Human Development is recommended.