Program Overview

Master of Education - Educational Policy and Leadership

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Policy & Leadership is a 36-semester hour program that prepares future school leaders to meet the challenges they will face in Southern Nevada PK-12 schools in the 21st century. Using a systems approach to understanding leadership, the curriculum combines rigorous and relevant coursework with real-world experiential learning.

About the Program

The Educational Policy & Leadership program is designed to develop educational leaders who understand the urban environment and the community in which schools exist. Program participants receive a firm foundation of knowledge and skills in order to meet the demands and expectations of school administrators - all within a systems approach for transforming schools within an urban community.

The Educational Policy & Leadership program meets the requirements for Nevada School Administrator Endorsement and the Nevada Program Administrator Endorsement.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation, please refer to the Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

The program has the following learning outcomes:

• Creating and Sustaining a Focus on Learning
  • Planning for school improvement
  • Monitoring student performance
  • Providing opportunities for teacher reflection
  • Short and long term planning to facilitate student achievement
• Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Continuous Improvement
  • Setting expectations for teacher and student performance
  • Developing teachers through observation, feedback, and professional development
  • Gathering and analyzing data relative to student learning
  • Considering diversity of learners, e.g. ethnicity, abilities, and socioeconomic status
• Creating and Sustaining Productive Relationships
  • Creating environment that respects all stakeholders
  • Establishing opportunities for discourse among stakeholders for decision making
  • Creating communication processes for partnering with teachers and students
• Creating and Sustaining Structures to Support an Effective School
  • Aligning curriculum, instruction, and standards
  • Allocating resources and developing structures to support school goals for student learning
• Managing Human Capital
  • Collecting data related to teacher performance
  • Using teacher performance data to support effective instruction
  • Developing leadership capacity among teachers
• Self-Reflection and Professional Growth
  • Using feedback from various sources to improve leadership practices
  • Seeking opportunities for continuous growth in leadership
• Professional Obligations
  • Modeling and advocating fair and equitable treatment of all students and their families
  • Modeling integrity and honesty while respecting confidentiality
• Family and Community Engagement
  • Involving parents, families, and community in policy implementation and program planning
  • Involving parents, families, and community in school improvement efforts
  • Connecting students and families to other social service and community agencies as needed

Requirements

Plan Description

The primary purpose of the Educational Policy and Leadership program is to prepare educational leaders for leadership and administrative roles in K-12 schools in response to 21st century challenges. This program will encourage systematic research-based practices and evidence-based decision making, particularly focused on urban populations, and guided by state and national educational standards.

Plan Admission Requirements

• An earned bachelor's degree in an acceptable field of undergraduate study
• A GPA of at least 2.75 overall or 3.00 in the last 60 credits of undergraduate study
• At least 3 years of professional experience
• Individuals seeking a Nevada endorsement as an administrator of a school must hold a valid elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary or special teaching license
• Two letters of recommendation (one must be from current principal or district supervisor)
• A resume indicating educational and professional experience
• Leadership statement
• Summary of leadership experiences
• Statement of support from applicant's current principal or district supervisor
• A valid elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary or special teaching license
• All applicants will be interviewed as part of the application process

Plan Requirements

• Total Credits Required: 36
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses - Credits: 14
    • EPL 720 - Introduction to Leadership and Organizations
    • EPL 737 - Systematic Professional Development and Instructional Supervision
    • EPL 751 - Educational Law & Policy: Student Issues
    • EPL 753 - Human and Fiscal Resource Management
    • EPL 755 - Law for Exceptional Students
    • EPL 757 - Education Law and Public Policy: Teacher/Staff Evaluation
    • EPL 758 - Financial Entrepreneurship & Educational Innovation
  • Research Core Courses – Credits: 6
    • EPL 722 - Educational Research Methods
    • EPL 735 - Leadership for School Improvement
  • Elective Courses – Credits: 8
    • EPL 700 - Special Topics
    • EPL 731 - Leadership in a Digital Age
    • EPL 732 - School and Community Leadership
    • EPL 740 - Educational Systems
  • Internship and Capstone Courses – Credits: 8
    • EPL 742 - Leadership Field Experience
    • EPL 780 - Capstone Seminar: Educational Leadership

Degree Requirements

• Students must complete 36 credits of approved coursework
• Students will meet with an academic advisor and complete a formal degree plan
• Students must obtain a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate
• A student can have no more than one grade less than B-

Graduation Requirements

• The student must successfully complete a culminating project
• Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements
• All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway

Documents and Downloads

• Plans of Study
• Syllabi
• Degree Worksheets
• Graduate Handbooks
  • Program Handbook

Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education

The department provides instruction in and the delivery of innovative research to inform the educational process from early childhood through higher education via master's and doctoral degree programs as well as graduate certificates.

College of Education

The College of Education creates an intellectual environment that promotes quality instruction, significant research, and professional service. With four unique departments, graduates receive the necessary tools and experiences to make an impact on local, national, and global scales.