Educational Leadership, MED with Emphasis Areas

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Program Description

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership program is designed for candidates who wish to prepare for school leadership in the areas of School Leader (principal), Reading, Gifted Education, or Instructional Coach. This degree program emphasizes the multifaceted-roles in the changing paradigms of school leadership. It consists of a core curriculum of 6 hours and an additional 30 hours of electives per emphasis.

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership courses are designed to meet the Professional Standards for Education Leaders. The coursework is foundational, theoretical, applicable, and uses a common language for results aligned to a standards-based approach for determining performance levels. The courses are designed for students who are currently working in the field of education and desire advancement in their careers.

Students Who Hold a Missouri Teaching Certificate

All emphasis areas in the M.Ed., except Instructional Coach, prepare students for Missouri certification in that area. To add on one of these certificates, the student must already hold a Missouri teaching certificate.

School Leader (K-12) Certification Emphasis
The School Leader (K-12) Certification emphasis meets the requirements for Missouri Initial School Leader (K-12) Certification and prepares students to take the State of Missouri’s Building Level Administrator Exam. In addition to a valid Missouri teaching certificate, the School Leader (K-12) Certification Emphasis also requires three years of classroom teaching experience and passing scores on all state of Missouri assessments.

Instructional Leadership, Special Reading Certification Emphasis
The Special Reading Emphasis prepares students for Missouri Certification in Special Reading. In addition to a valid Missouri teaching certificate, this emphasis also requires courses in Child Psychology and Adolescent Psychology (or a 3-hr combined course in Child and Adolescent Psychology); a 3-hr course in Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Child; a course in Counseling Techniques; two years of classroom teaching experience; and passing scores on all Missouri state assessments.

Instructional Leadership, Gifted Certification Emphasis
The Gifted Education Emphasis prepares students for Missouri Certification in Gifted Education. In addition to a valid Missouri teaching certificate, this emphasis requires two years of classroom teaching experience.

Instructional Leadership, Instructional Coach Emphasis
The Instructional Coach Emphasis prepares students for instructional coaching positions (Missouri does not currently offer certification in this area). In addition to a valid Missouri teaching certificate, this emphasis requires two years of classroom teaching experience.

Students Who Do Not Hold a Missouri Teaching Certificate

Students who hold a teaching certificate from another state and hope to apply their Educational Leadership certification to other states must first obtain a Missouri teaching certificate. This can be completed through the Non-Missouri Graduate Application process through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). DESE will evaluate transcripts based on current Missouri requirements and does not guarantee immediate issuance of a Missouri certificate. DESE’s fee for this application is $100.

After completion of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, the student will then apply for Missouri certification in their area of emphasis. Once that certification is granted, the student may then apply for reciprocity in their state.

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is not currently available in all states. Students who reside outside Missouri should be aware that the program is undetermined to meet licensure or certification prerequisites in other states. It is up to the student to check their state or country for reciprocity. Students may contact the Columbia College Education Department at EducatorPrep@ccis.edu for help determining program eligibility in their state and whether the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership does meet, does not meet, or is undetermined to meet licensure or certification prerequisites in their state.

Program Requirements

Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements of the College.
Students must complete a minimum of thirty-six graduate semester hours in an approved course of study. The program is composed of a core of 6 hours of courses required of all students, and an emphasis consisting of 30 hours. Students must choose one or more of the emphases listed. Students who wish to complete more than one emphasis will have more than 36 hours upon completion.

Required Graduate Core Courses (6 sem. hrs)

EDUC 502 - Foundations and Psychology of Educational Leadership 3 hours *
EDUC 562 - Behavior Management Techniques 3 hours Required for Reading Specialist Emphasis Area or
EDUC 564 - Classroom Management 3 hours

School Leader (K-12) Certification Emphasis

The School Leader (K-12) Certification Emphasis also requires a valid Missouri teaching certificate, two years of teaching experience, and passing scores on all state of Missouri assessments. It is up to the student to check their state or country for reciprocity.

Note: The School Leader (K-12) Certification program, special reading certificate, and gifted certificate are for Missouri certification only. In order to add on one of these certificates, the student must already hold a Missouri teaching certificate. Out-of-state students who wish to obtain a Missouri teaching certificate based off of their state’s teaching certificate must apply through the Non-Missouri Graduate Application process. (Educator Certification [DESE] will evaluate transcripts based on current Missouri requirements and does not guarantee immediate issuance of a Missouri certificate. There is a DESE fee for this application.)

Instructional Leadership, Reading Specialist Emphasis

A course in Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, or a combined 3 hour course in Child and Adolescent Psychology is also required for this emphasis area. A valid Missouri teaching certificate is required, and two years of teaching experience.

Instructional Leadership, Gifted Certification Emphasis

A valid Missouri teaching certificate is required, and two years of teaching experience.

Instructional Leadership, Instructional Coaching Emphasis

A valid teaching certificate is required, and two years of teaching experience. Missouri Certification is not available for this emphasis area.

Assessment

Achievement and Proficiency will be determined through development and oral defense of a Standards based portfolio, based on the Professional Standards for Education Leaders. Anticipated length of the portfolio is approximately 80-100 pages, including artifacts which delineate standards as they are applied in the selected setting through the Practicum for each area. The PSEL Standards are adopted by the National, Association of Elementary School Principals, The National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the University Council of Education Administration, and are appropriate for all Leadership Emphasis Areas.

Minimum Total Semester Hours: 36 hrs

Transfer credit for courses already completed before admittance to the program may be substituted for required courses upon recommendation of the Education Department. After being admitted, the student must complete all course work at Columbia College unless specific permission is obtained from the M.Ed. Graduate Program Coordinator. A maximum of nine graduate hours may be accepted in transfer. Petitions for consideration of transfer credit must be made prior to the successful completion of 12 hours of graduate course work at Columbia College.