Educational Leadership and Administration

Masters Degree Programs in Leadership and Administration:

The Master of Arts in Leadership and Administration (US & British Columbia) and Master of Education (School Administration) (Alberta) degree programs provide advanced educational opportunities for teachers and administrators toward the improvement of the quality of student learning and of educational settings. The programs focus on leadership development of educational professionals with two options; preparation of school administrators or the development of of teacher-leaders for various levels of influence in educational organizations.

Option 1: School Administration (Canada Only)

The first option provides students preparing for an administrative role, the knowledge, skills and dispositions required for the practice of effective educational leadership in organizations. The foci for the perspective "educational administrator" are in the areas of supervision of instruction, curriculum development, school law and finance, community relations and human relations management. This program is designed for our Canadian students preparing for the principalship and is a non-certification program.

Option 2: Teacher Leadership

A second program option provides for the preparation of practitioners to assume teacher leadership roles in their schools as mentors, staff developers, department chairs, unit leaders, and/or cooperating teachers. The courses focus on developing and deepening competencies of experienced teachers to enhance teaching-learning practices, develop leadership skills, and engage in processes to build effective learning communities. Professional Certification requirements can be met in this program.

Throughout the program the students investigate current research on the nature and functions of organizations by providing the knowledge skills and dispositions to become competent, courageous and committed leaders of learning in a global society.