Program Overview

M.Ed. K12 School Leadership Program

The M.Ed. in K12 School Leadership with Licensure Program is a four-semester degree for experienced educators with a current Utah Professional Educator license. The program is designed to provide future administrators with the knowledge and skills essential for leadership in K12 schools. As a professional program, coursework and course-assigned field practicum experiences develop both the conceptual understandings and practical skills that lead to the development of excellent and effective school administrators.

Program Details

• Applications are accepted for summer and fall semesters;
• Program completion in four semesters (36 credit hours);
• Students attend as a flex cohort, enrolling in two content courses (3 credit hours each) and one field-based practicum course (3 credit hours) per semester while working full-time;
• All courses are offered in the evening hours (class start time is 4:35 p.m.);
• Classes are scheduled one night per week in the fall and spring semesters and two nights per week in the summer semester block (7 weeks);
• Classes will be held on the University of Utah Campus.
• Courses are designed using a project-based learning approach – with an expectation of learning through practice.

At a Glance

• Program Emphasis: K-12
• Credit Hours: 36
• Application Deadline:
  • 03/15 - Summer Semester
  • 06/15 - Fall Semester
• Application Fee: $55 domestic/$65 international
• Degree Conferred: M.Ed.

Admissions

Applicants for the K12 School Leadership M.Ed. program must meet the following minimum requirements:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher;
• current Utah Professional Educator License;
• minimum three years' experience as a licensed educator (teacher, social work, counselor, etc.) in a public, charter, or private school.

Application Requirements

• Statement of Intent: Explain why you have chosen school administration as a future career path. Describe how you have demonstrated your leadership potential as an educator. Include why the University of Utah program is the best fit for you. Please limit your response to 400 words or less.
• Writing Samples:
  • Prompt #A: Describe a time in which you have made a positive impact to a student’s learning through the lens of student advocacy. Please limit your response to 400 words or less.
  • Prompt #B: The University of Utah ELP program emphasizes the importance of school leaders who can understand and empower schools in providing safe, positive, learning environments. How would you describe yourself as a school leader in creating this environment for students and teachers? Provide examples. Please limit your response to 500 words or less.
• Resume: Submit a resume that outlines your educational professional history. Be specific in the roles you have had that demonstrate leadership potential.
• Recommendation Forms:
  • A confidential letter of recommendation from your current supervisor (waive right to read).
  • Two other letters of recommendation from either a supervisor (current or previous) or a professional colleague. All letters must address your leadership capabilities and potential.
• Current Copy of Your Educator Evaluation and Copy of Current Utah Professional Educator License

Curriculum

The program includes the following courses:

• ELP 6020 Systems Thinking and Student Support
• ELP 6120 Evidence Informed Leadership for Learning
• ELP 6230 Ethics, Law, and Policy
• ELP 6250 Leadership for School Improvement
• ELP 6350 Leadership for Teaching and Learning
• ELP 6412 Designing and Leading Professional Learning
• ELP 6420 Leveraging Educational Resources
• ELP 6511 Leadership for Equity and Social Change
• ELP 6710 K12 Practicum

Practicum

In addition to the required content courses, students in the school leadership licensure programs will have a hybrid practicum course each semester. This will serve as the (fieldwork) experience for school leadership licensure candidates. This course combines an individualized approach to field experiences with seminar and workshop support. The practicum experience supports the student’s progress towards requirements designed to meet ELP Department expectations and USBE School Leadership Licensure requirements.

Student Resources

• University Information:
  • Graduate School Information
  • University of Utah Catalog
  • University of Utah Academic Calendar
• Department Information:
  • ELP Department Student Handbook

Info Sessions

Program Information Meetings are held via Zoom. For more details, please note the following dates:

• Tuesday, May 20, 4:00 PM
• Tuesday, June 3, 4:00 PM
• Tuesday, June 10, 4:00 PM