Northeastern Illinois University offers the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership degree. Students may select one of two concentrations:
- School Leadership (PreK- Age 21);
- Higher Education Leadership.
Program objectives for the concentrations have been designed to develop exemplary administrative leaders and to foster their continuing growth and effectiveness. Specifically, students in the School Leadership (PreK- Age 21) concentration develop competencies related to effective leadership, educational management practices, and staff development at the school level. This concentration leads to The State of Illinois Principal Endorsement.
The Higher Education Leadership concentration provides knowledge and skills related to the history and development of colleges, universities, and community colleges, and to effective administrative practices at that level. It stresses an understanding of administrative and supervisory skills for the development and support of instructional systems at the collegiate level. Students in this concentration have the option of completing a thesis. Courses are taught in the evenings and Saturdays at the main campus, at El Centro, at Carruthers Center, at Lake County, and at a variety of locations in the Chicago metropolitan area through Distance Education and web-enhanced courses.
Requirements for Admission to the Program:
For students admitted to Master’s Programs for the Fall 1997 semester and thereafter, all graduate credits must be at the 400 level. Consult with your program advisor or the Graduate College for details.
In addition to the requirements of the Graduate College for admission, students who wish to enroll in the Master’s Degree Program in Educational Leadership must meet the following eligibility requirements:
ADMISSION PROCESS (SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PREK - Age 21)
Candidates desiring admission to the Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership (PreK- Age 21 concentration) begin by completing an application for and obtaining Northeastern Illinois University’s Student at Large (SAL) designated status. This status allows students to enroll in up to six courses without full admission to the College of Graduate Studies and Research. Students admitted as a SAL then use the program’s first introductory course, LEAD 424, to complete the graduate program application for admission1 as the class professor provides time to assist students with the details of the formal program application process.
Admission Requirements
- A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum 2.75 G.P.A. (on a 4.0 scale) from most recent degree.
- Completion of two years of PK- Age 21 teaching (i.e., early childhood, elementary, secondary, special K-21, or special preschool-age 21 certificates) OR in a school support personnel area (i.e., school counselor, school psychologist, a speech-language pathologist (non-teaching), school nurse, school social worker, school marriage and family counselor) for admission to the program and completion of four years of experience to be eligible for graduation and the Principal Endorsement upon completion of the program.
- Two letters of recommendation (completed by supervisors).
- Two NEIU Disposition Assessments (completed by supervisors).
- Successful completion of a written exam provided by the department.
- Completion of a successful teaching or school support personnel portfolio.
- In-person interview.
ADMISSION PROCESS (HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERSHIP)
Candidates desiring admission to the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education should first contact the facilitator of that graduate program. Students then complete the application to the Graduate College indicating their program preference. Additional admission requirements include:
- A personal statement indicating one's experience in Higher Education
- A resume
- In-person interview
- A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum G.P.A. of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
- Two letters of recommendation
Program Requirements:
- Selection of a concentration in School Leadership (PreK-21) or Higher Education Leadership.
- Completion of 36 credit hours according to prescribed sequences.
- Successful completion of the Departmental Comprehensive Examinations.
Required Courses:
School Leadership (PreK-21) Concentration (36 credit hours)
Sequence I
LEAD-424 should be the first course taken as a Student-At-Large. During this course, time is allotted to work on the formal graduate program application process. It is recommended to take LEAD-421 the same semester.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LEAD-424 | Introduction To Evaluation Of Certified & Support Staff | 3 |
| LEAD-421 | Educational Leadership And Organizational Studies | 3 |
| LEAD-429 | Research Design & Analysis Of Educational Data | 3 |
| LEAD-436 | Human Resources Administration In Education | 3 |
| LEAD-401 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| LEAD-422 | The Principalship | 3 |
Successfully complete Part I of the Comprehensive Examination.
Note: Upon successful completion of LEAD 424 and LEAD 421 and admittance to the program, Part I of the Comprehensive Examination should be taken.
Sequence II
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LEAD-433 | School Law & Ethics | 3 |
| LEAD-432 | School Finance & Budgeting | 3 |
| LEAD-431 | School & Community Relations | 3 |
| LEAD-434 & LEAD-435 & LEAD-437 | Internship I and Internship II and Internship III | 9 |
The capstone experience in the Educational Leadership program is the three-course internship sequence. Students must plan their internship experience to provide for three consecutive internship classes.
Successfully complete Part II of the Comprehensive Examination.
Additional Program Information:
The Illinois Performance Evaluation- Teacher Evaluation Training (PERA) and the 195 &196 Principal as Instructional Leader exams are required for graduation from the program.
Higher Education Leadership Concentration (36 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence I | ||
| LEAD-421 | Educational Leadership And Organizational Studies | 3 |
| LEAD-491 | Foundations In Higher Education | 3 |
| COUN-468H | Seminar In Counseling:Student Personnel Work In Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD-429 | Research Design & Analysis Of Educational Data | 3 |
| LEAD-413 | Human Relations And Leadership | 3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Sequence II | ||
| LEAD-492 | Resources, Institutional Planning And Finance In Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD-493 | The Law Of Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD-495 | Practicum In Higher Education | 3 |
| 3 Elective courses | 9 | |
| OR | ||
| Thesis Seminar (and 1 additional elective) | ||
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
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.
School Leadership
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| LEAD-421 | Educational Leadership And Organizational Studies | 3 |
| LEAD-424 | Introduction To Evaluation Of Certified Support Staff | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| LEAD-436 | Human Resources Administration In Education | 3 |
| LEAD-429 | Research Design Analysis Of Educational Data | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| LEAD-422 | The Principalship | 3 |
| LEAD-401 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| LEAD-433 | School Law Ethics | 3 |
| LEAD-434 | Internship I | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| LEAD-432 | School Finance Budgeting | 3 |
| LEAD-435 | Internship II | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| LEAD-431 | School Community Relations | 3 |
| LEAD-437 | Internship III | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |
Higher Education Leadership
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term 1 | Hours | |
| LEAD-421 | Educational Leadership And Organizational Studies | 3 |
| LEAD-491 | Foundations In Higher Education | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| LEAD-496B | Seminar In Higher Education: The Problematic Pipeline - Latinos And Latinas In Higher Education | 3 |
| COUN-468H | Seminar In Counseling:Student Personnel Work In Higher Education | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| LEAD-429 | Research Design Analysis Of Educational Data | 3 |
| LEAD-413 | Human Relations And Leadership | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| LEAD-492 | Resources, Institutional Planning And Finance In Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD-480 | The Community College | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| LEAD-495 | Practicum In Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD-490 | Adult Learner | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| LEAD-496C | Seminar In Higher Education: Critical Policy Issues In Latino Higher Education | 3 |
| LEAD-493 | The Law Of Higher Education | 3 |
| Term Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours: | 36 | |