Spotlight on retiree Jack McClure, Ph.D.
Title: Dean of the School of Education How many years have you worked at Saint Mary’s? 18 and a half... Read More
Education Specialist Degree in Teacher Leadership
Lead outside the classroom.
Elevate your career as an educational leader in teacher leadership with our Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in Teacher Leadership.
This degree program is designed for experienced teachers with a master’s degree who want to focus on instructional and leadership expertise instead of licensed administration.
Gain skills in curriculum development, cultural competence, and behavioral interventions, positioning yourself for leadership roles as a mentor and coach for colleagues. This program supports career advancement, enabling a master’s level lane change. It empowers you to become a reflective, morally-grounded educator-leader school leader who fosters a positive learning environment for both students and teachers.
Are your ready to elevate your career? Apply now to get started in our School of Education Use the form on this page to request info.
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Program Highlights
- Receive personalized support from a dedicated advisor to guide you throughout your higher education journey
- Participate in our annual one-day Summer Institute, a graduation requirement that connects you with faculty, peers, and inspiring speakers from across the state.
- The Ed.S. program fosters wise leadership, emphasizing moral integrity, virtuous decision-making, and excellence in character for educational leaders.
- Check if your district is part of our Trusted Partnership Program, offering scholarships through partnerships with school districts, learn more.
What You'll Learn in Our Education Specialist Program
- Effective leadership to support colleagues in enhancing teaching
- Advanced knowledge of instructional strategies
- Collaborative relationships for positive learning
- Mentoring and coaching practices for educator-leaders
- Appreciation and cultivation of diversity
- Ethical leadership and professional integrity
Information Session
Admissions Requirements
Ready to apply to our education specialist degree program? Learn about taking the next steps.
Applicants may apply for admission to the specialist degree at any time during the year. A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, for which applicant maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, is required for admission. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework. All applicants must complete an interview with the program administrators.
Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States or a waiver country listed here are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.
Saint Mary’s accepts:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
- International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
- Duolingo with a minimum score of 100.
Applicants must submit:
- Completed application form and,
- An official transcript issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed master’s degrees and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.) Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted.
Students with transcripts issued in the U.S. may be admitted without an official transcript. Students must provide an official transcript by the last day to add/drop classes in their first term of attendance. In cases where students are completing coursework while simultaneously applying for admission, students may be admitted with an in-progress transcript, and an official transcript posting final grades and, when appropriate, degree attainment, must be submitted before students are allowed to register for subsequent semesters.
Please note: Application materials should be sent to the Office of Admission on the Minneapolis Campus:
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
- December 6, 2024
- August 2, 2025
- Spring 2025
- Fall 2025
You can expect to be notified about your acceptance into the education specialist degree program approximately two weeks following your application completion date.
Tuition and Fees
We’re committed to making your investment as accessible and affordable as possible. Our counselors will guide you to find a financial aid plan that works for you. Explore all the ways to help pay for your educational leadership degree.
Course Catalog
Your coursework will include:
- School Leadership: Purpose and Motivation
- Ethical Decision Making for School Leaders
- Leading Flourishing Schools
- Continuous Improvement for Learning
The course catalog provides complete information about course requirements.
Careers & Salary
An Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership opens doors to various opportunities in the field of education beyond the classroom, including positions such as peer evaluator, department chair, and other education leadership leader roles.
Curriculum Leader (Minnesota)
$77,114 per year*Instructional Coach (Minnesota)
68,235 per year*Academic Coach (Minnesota)
$66,147 per year*Related Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Teacher Leadership Degree
At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom:
Student Central: Your one-stop for student services.
Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.
Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students.
Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education.
The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership prepares current teachers for administrative roles in various educational settings, focusing on broader organizational leadership such as a K-12 principal, director of special education, or superintendent. Learn more here.
The Ed.S. in Teacher Leadership emphasizes instructional leadership and collaboration among educators, preparing experienced teachers to serve lead within their classrooms and schools as educator-leaders.
Instead of enrolling in another M.A. in Education program with a licensure focus, such as a K-12 reading certificate or ESL licensure, you can choose the Ed.S. degree. This pathway allows you to advance on the pay scale at the same credit cost as a master’s, eliminating the need for the required field experience.
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Indeed, Curriculum Leader Salary in Minneapolis, MN at https://www.indeed.com/career/curriculum-leader/salaries/Minneapolis–MN (visited Oct. 10, 2024).
Salary.com, Instructional Coach Salaries in Minnesota at https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/instructional-coach-salary/mn (visited Oct. 10, 2024).
Salary.com. Academic Coach Salary in Minneapolis, MN at https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/academic-coach-salary/minneapolis-mn (visited Oct. 10, 2024).