Master of Arts in Community and Teacher Leaders

NEIU offers a Master of Arts degree for those individuals seeking an advanced degree in Community and Teacher Leaders. The program is designed to develop knowledge, dispositions, and skills to foster reflective, collaborative and transformative leaders in both community and school settings. Specifically, students will learn to harness the collective knowledge of community members and educators to have a positive impact on community and school success in both traditional and non-traditional settings; promote collaborative governance and leadership in communities and schools with a consistent focus on improved outcomes; model excellence in community leadership and teaching with a strong foundation in transforming the climate; and provide coaching, mentoring, and support to educators and community members to promote and influence change.  Instructional strategies include research, inquiry, analysis, and evaluation as well digital literacy and technology skills.  

Students may select one of two concentrations: community leadership or school-based teacher leadership. While both the Community and Teacher Leaders concentration lead to a Master of Arts degree, the Teacher Leader concentration also leads to a Teacher Leader Endorsement as recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education. Teachers who already have a Master's degree and an Illinois teaching license may take a subset of these courses to earn only the Teacher Leader endorsement. This school-based teacher leader concentration provides knowledge and skills related to leadership and mentoring, professional development, promoting school culture that focuses on student learning, using data to improve educational outcomes, and building collaborative relationships with stakeholders. The community-based leader concentration provides knowledge and skills that foster leadership in ethical and culturally sensitive public engagement, acknowledgement and consideration of the complexities of local and global communities, and leverages community assets to promote social justice.

For Endorsement only option, contact the program advisor. Teachers in the Master of Science in Teaching & Inquiry program can take the Teacher Leader Endorsement (only) courses as electives to earn the Teacher Leader Endorsement.

Admission requirements:
All students must meet the eligibility requirements for admission to graduate status at NEIU.

Master of Arts in Community and Teacher Leaders

Exit Requirements for Degree Completion

Students must successfully complete 30 credit hours including all core courses and three electives. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above throughout the program.

Licensure Requirements

Complete the program exit requirements and a current Illinois teaching license (PEL).

This sample curricular map is provided to guide you in the planning of your progression for this major.  This guide should not replace regular consultations with your program advisor. For specific recommendations of courses not identified, please consult your program advisor.

The three electives (9 credit hours) can be taken in any semester as long as the student is in active status. The electives can be chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor and can be university wide depending on the student's interest and needs.