MS Educational Leadership

Vision

Excellence in Preparing Educational Leaders

Mission

To prepare engaged, caring, skillful educational leaders

Program Goal

To develop educational leaders who will assume formal or informal leadership roles in their organization

Through our program, we seek to develop the individual's capacity to:

1. Envision and guide organizational change.

2. Communicate effectively, engage constituents, develop people and build community.

3. Advocate and promote equity for diverse populations, and respect for individuals.

4. Integrate theory, data, research and ethical standards into the context of one's practice through continual learning.

Dispositions

Throughout our program, we actively encourage individuals in developing the capacity to:

1. Value change as the source of opportunity for improvement.

2. Display the ability to understand people and relations and be receptive to the ideas of others.

3. Show a willingness to implement non-discriminatory access, accommodations and assessments.

4. Demonstrate empathic understanding of diversity in all domains.

5. Regularly reflect upon the philosophical assumptions, ethical principles, and rationale that guides one's practice.

6. Understand oneself as a learner, and value learning as a core capacity.

 Outcomes

1. Envisioning the Future -- Articulate the needs of constituents based on a world-view that simultaneously accounts for the reality of the present and the promise of the future.
2. Engaging Constituents -- Engage constituents to encourage their development and involvement while supporting organizational goals.
   
3. Promoting Equity -- Assess and promote equity while serving as an informed advocate for diverse populations.
   
4. Informing Practice -- Use data, theory, research, and ethical and legal standards to inform practice.

Program Options

Click on Program Options in Navigation Bar on left.

• General (design your own emphasis area, select the classes you are interested in taking and will help you get where you want to go, this is the most popular!)

• Library Media (902 initial, 902 professional, 91 licenses)

• Technology Coordinator (licensure program)

• Technology (certificate)

• Pk-12 Principal Licensure (certificate)

• Postsecondary, Technical, and Adult Education (certificate)

• Social Justice (certificate)

• Athletics and Exercise Leadership (certificate)

What Can I Do With This Degree?

I often hear the question “What can I do with the MS Educational Leadership degree?” My question to you is, what would you like to do with your degree? Why do you want to earn a graduate degree? Increase your salary, become a better teacher/professional, you've always wanted to earn your masters, everyone else was so why not, a certificate program captured your interest, your job requires a masters...

The joy of this degree program is its flexibility. Approximately half of the 30 credits are required courses; the other half is your choice. Thus, my question returns to you, why do you want to earn a graduate degree? What expertise do you want to gain?

This degree program allows you the flexibility of deciding where to place your energies and what expertise you are to gain. You design your emphasis area to meet your goals and needs.

Certificate Programs 

The degree program may be combined with the various certificate programs that exist on campus. If that is your choice, the two programs can run concurrently. You do not have to complete the certificate program to complete your degree nor do you have to participate in a certificate program. You simply may, if you desire.  Certificate Programs include:  Leadership for Social Justice, Technology Leadership in the Classroom, Leadership for Postsecondary, Technical, and Adult Education, and others.

Licensure Programs

A variety of DPI approved licensure programs are available. These may be completed in conjunction with the degree program or separately. Program Options are listed in the menu to the left. Click on the area of interest to you.

• Educational Administration -- Code 51: Pk-12 Principal; Instructional Technology Coordinator
  
• Library Media -- 902 Initial and Professional; 91 Supervisor

Who is in the Program?

The strength of our program comes from the rich and varied perspectives of our students.  Many students in the program are Pk-12 classroom teachers. Their primary goal is to continue teaching at the Pk-12 level. They typically select coursework associated with their teaching areas as well as other courses offered in the Educational Leadership Department or the larger College of Education and Human Services.

We also draw a large number of people who currently work in postsecondary education or hope to in the near future. They come from areas including student support, advising, residence life, continuing education, non-traditional programs, athletics, etc. If these areas are of interest to you, consider our certificate program in Postsecondary, Technical, and Adult Education or our certificate program in Athletics and Exercise Leadership. You can also put together a variety of classes including some from Educational Leadership and some offered through the Counselor Education Department or elsewhere. 

The program also appeals to individuals who are currently working in the business world, the nonprofit sector, health care, and community education roles. These folks typically view their positions as having strong educational components, so they have selected this degree. They choose courses from the Educational Leadership Department as well as those from the College of Business, Master in Public Administration and more. Instruction is designed to respond to the wide and varied interests/experiences of our students.

As a student in our program, you have the opportunity and responsibility to apply the concepts to your unique life and work experiences both during class discussions and when selecting course project topics. The emphasis in this program is on learning through sharing our various perspectives and participating fully in the educational dialogue. 

We Know You Have Questions!

Is this the degree for me?

Possibly! Let us help you explore the many options this program offers for your professional growth and development. 

How do I start?

Email Dr. Karen Gibson, Program Coordinator, at gibsonk@uwosh.edu who can guide you through the process of developing your individualized program.

If you anticipate completing the MS Educational Leadership degree program, plan on enrolling in EdL 701 Introduction to Educational Leadership, early in your program. It is offered every-other-semester. See the Admission tab in the left menu for details on how to register for classes and/or the program.

If you anticipate completing only a certificate or licensure program, requirements vary; therefore, the Program Coordinator will assist you in making appropriate contacts and course selections.

When can I start?

Classes start Wednesday after Labor Day (fall semester), approximately February 1 (spring semester), and about June 12 (summer semester). Contact us today!

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