Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Principal Pre K-12 program is designed to prepare students to qualify as school principals (Pre K-12). This program is offered by the Educational Leadership department at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in partnership with local school districts.

Program Description

The program aims to prepare its participants to serve as Pre K-12 school principals. The thirty-six credits required to complete this program include courses that translate theory into practice, examining the role of the school principal, educational research, instructional planning, supervision of instruction, personnel administration, publicity and politics, leadership skills, critical issues, school funding, and school law. The program also includes an internship in a school where participants will apply what they have learned in their courses.

Accreditation and Approval

This program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the Arizona State Board of Education (AZSBE). It is also nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).

Program Requirements

To receive a master's degree at Northern Arizona University, students must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master's degree programs require more than 30 units. Students must also:

• Complete all requirements for their specific academic plan(s), which may include a thesis.
• Complete all graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
• Complete all work toward the master's degree within six consecutive years.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program requires:

• A undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• A teaching certificate (standard or provisional).
• Additional admission requirements may apply, and international applicants have specific requirements.

Curriculum

The program consists of 36 units, including:

• Selecting from specific courses (3 units) such as EDR 610 or EDR 650.
• Selecting from specific courses (3 units) such as EDF 500, EDF 670, EDF 671, EDF 672, EDF 673, or EDF 677.
• Completing specific courses (15 units) such as EDL 622, EDL 627, EDL 629, EDL 635, and EDL 645.
• Completing EDL 696 (3 units).
• Selecting from specific courses (3 units) such as EDL 600 or EDL 640.
• Selecting from specific courses (3 units) such as EDL 625 or EDL 643.
• Selecting from specific courses (3 units) such as EDL 641 or EDL 650.
• Selecting from specific courses (3 units) such as EDL 642 or EDL 662.

Internship

The program includes a substantial and sustained educational leadership internship experience with school-based field experiences and clinical internship practice within a school setting, monitored by a qualified, on-site mentor. Students must have a valid Arizona teaching certificate and 3 years of teaching experience before starting the internship.

Student Learning Outcomes

The program's student learning outcomes align with standards from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC). These outcomes include:

• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student by collaboratively facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a shared school vision of learning.
• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student by sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning.
• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student by ensuring the management of the school organization, operation, and resources.
• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student by collaborating with faculty and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources on behalf of the school.
• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner to ensure a school system of accountability for every student's academic and social success.
• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
• Applying knowledge that promotes the success of every student through a substantial and sustained educational leadership internship experience.