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M.A. in Educational Leadership

Meaningful and sustainable change is dependent upon strong leadership. The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is designed to prepare educational professionals to become effective leaders and administrators in organizational training and development, higher education, and/or K-12 education.  This degree provides a strong foundation in leadership, management, and supervisory practice; educational strategies for learners of all ages; communication, creativity, and personal coaching skills; today's diversity issues; and current trends in ethics and law.  Students develop strategies for becoming effective change agents within an organization.

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program has been a vital part of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus since 1989.  Delivery of the program is course-based, engaging the adult learner in a rigorous and relevant learning experience. The courses focus on providing students with the attitudes, skills, and knowledge to become better teachers and leaders in their classrooms, schools, and districts. Students examine educational theory and research and are guided through the development of applications to enhance their current educational practices.

The degree opens career opportunities in:

  • Higher education administration;
  • Administration in private, parochial and charter schools;
  • Dean of students, administrative intern, team leader or athletic director and;
  • Organizational trainers and developers or chief learning officers.

Program Structure

The program consists of 33 credits, 27 required and six elective. Thirty are required credits and the remaining three credits are elective.  Students may transfer up to six graduate semester credits from regionally accredited institutions of higher education if the credits were earned during the 10 years before admission, are administrative in nature, have been approved by the program director and the dean, and have not been used as part of another degree program. After acceptance into the program, all courses must be taken from Saint Mary's University.

Prior to graduation, each student is required to complete an action research study, write a summary paper of the research, and provide a presentation of the study to a panel of program members.  The action research project provides students an opportunity to substantiate their academic work and demonstrate how they have integrated their coursework into their professional life.


Location

Sarah Fisher
(612) 728-5122

Admissions
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs
2500 Park Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55404

tc-admission@smumn.edu (Letters for Reference, Resume and Personal statement can be sent via email to this address.)
Phone: Toll Free at (866) 437-2788 or (612) 728-5100


 

 

 

 Course Information

    Degree Requirements

     

    Core Requirements 30 cr.
    Electives 3 cr.
    Total 33 cr.

  • EL600 Orientation and Writing Assessment (0)
  • EL602 Facilitation Through Communication (2)
  • EL603 Foundations of Educational Leadership (3)
  • EL612 Coaching and Team Building (2)
  • EL613 Fundamentals of Management (3)
  • EL622 Supervision (2)
  • EL623 Curriculum and Instruction (3)
  • EL630 Educational Research (2)
  • EL632 Improvement Through Assessment (2)
  • EL633 Ethics and Law (3)
  • EL634 Action Research Project (2)
  • EL652 Adult Learning (2)
  • EL662 Promoting Change (2)
  • EL672 Integrating Diversity for Growth (2)
  • EL699 Project Presentation and Exit Interview (0)
 Elective Courses

    Electives chosen must equal 3 credits.

  • EL661 Administration and Assessment (1)
  • EL671 Leadership Roles of Activities Directors (1)
  • EL681 Learning in Adulthood (1)
  • EL691 Charter School Leadership (1)
  • EDUC645 Creativity (3)
  • EDUC672 Emotional Intelligence in the Classroom (1)
  • GM605 Creative Problem Solving and Critical Thinking (2)
  • GM629 Project Management (2)
  • GM630 Quantitative Methods (3)
  • GM645 Marketing Management (2)
  • GM667 Information Technology (2)
  • HD568 Designing Corporate Training (2)
  • HRM607 Managing Reward Systems (3)
  • HRM609 Labor Relations (3)


Program Staff
TC - Education Administration Licensure / MAI Instructor, TC - MA in Ed Leadership/EdS in Ed Admin - Program Director/As