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Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership

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Institute for Management and Leadership in Education

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Strengthen the leadership skills and strategies you need to manage change effectively within your higher education institution, as well as address current and emerging challenges.

Upcoming Sessions

• Jun 2, 2024 - Jun 8, 2024 Application Deadline: Apr 16, 2024 Tuition: $8,595.00

Change is an inevitable part of today’s complex higher education landscape, yet effective change management remains a challenge. The Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE) offers experienced administrators the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of issues that affect their institutions. When you join us at Harvard, you’ll acquire core knowledge and learn strategies that will help you determine how well-positioned your college or university is to meet future challenges and manage the impact of organizational change.

"MLE introduced me to extraordinary leaders, new research, and a much broader array of institutional contexts. I have reflected on my MLE experience again and again throughout my transitions from faculty to provost to president." Elizabeth L. Hillman, President, Mills College

Program Details

During the on-campus MLE institute, you’ll learn to identify the elements of your institution’s mission and culture that are critical to future success. And you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to close the gap between your leadership goals and what you can ultimately deliver.

MLE can help strengthen your leadership abilities at the system level, throughout your organization, among your teams, and within your individual practice. MLE also offers you the opportunity for professional assessment and renewal, including time to reflect on your leadership strengths and define areas for growth. The institute takes place in a supportive learning environment that includes Harvard faculty and accomplished higher education leaders from across the country and around the world.

While the program takes place on campus, it may also include such virtual components as a virtual orientation, pre-program preparation work, in-program sessions, and post-program follow-up.

Learning Goals

• Understand and overcome the challenges of organizational change.
• Master new approaches to leadership in complex academic settings.
• Think and act strategically with attention to people, financial resources, partnerships, initiatives, and emerging opportunities.
• Assess the impact of changes in the higher education environment.
• Foster institutional cultures that prioritize equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Who Should Attend

MLE is designed for experienced higher education leaders who have oversight and responsibility for their school, department, division, or functional area, including:

• Deans (with accrued leadership experience) 
• Assistant/Associate Vice Presidents 
• Assistant/Associate Provosts 

Educational Chairs

Francesca Purcell

Francesca Purcell is a specialist in higher education policy and practice, with expertise on topics including college completion, student transfer, and developmental education.

Hanna Rodriguez-Farrar

The tuition covers all instructional materials, a daily continental breakfast and lunch, and beverages and light refreshments during our scheduled breaks between sessions.

Travel, lodging expenses, and most dinners are not included in this fee. We have blocked a limited number of rooms in select hotels in the Cambridge/Boston area. The daily rates for these hotels typically range from $250 to $375 per room, plus applicable taxes. Once your applicants are accepted into the program, they will receive detailed information about these hotel options.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition assistance is available for this program on a need and application basis. Tuition assistance is granted based on participant and institutional needs. Requests for tuition assistance do not affect an applicant's prospects for admission. You may access the tuition assistance application after you have submitted your program application. Tuition assistance applications should be submitted at least one month prior to the final application deadline.

Considering this program?

Related programs.

• Higher Education

Organizational Change In Uncertain Times: A Leadership Program for Higher Education

Aligning strategic priorities with financial resources in higher education, the online classroom: strategies for higher ed teaching and learning.

• Apr 24, 2024 - May 21, 2024 Price: $425.00

Leadership in Education Fellowship

Application deadline: january 5, 2024.

Leadership in Education Fellowships are given to top Ed.M. degree candidates with strong leadership potential and demonstrated financial need as determined by the HGSE Financial Aid Office. Leadership in Education Fellowship recipients are given a fellowship close to one half of tuition during the one year program. Preference is given to alumni of Teach for America, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps/VISTA, TeachFirst or other comparable full-time volunteer service programs.

How to Apply

To be considered for the Leadership in Education Fellowship, you must complete the 2024-2025 HGSE Admissions Application , and submit:

• HGSE Financial Aid Application
• FAFSA (U.S. citizens and permanent residents only)

Eligibility

• International Students, U.S. Citizens, and U.S. Permanent Residents
• Full-time Ed.M. Students

Equip Yourself to Lead Change

Leadership and Management Programs at Harvard

Maximize team productivity, drive breakthrough innovation, and gain a competitive edge for your company. Through hands-on exercises and dynamic discussions, you’ll learn management theories and leadership best practices to help you navigate complex challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Current Programs

Authentic leadership.

Develop mindfulness and authenticity to build trust, create engagement, and promote productivity.

Becoming a Leader: Developing Your Style and Making Sound Decisions

Explore the symbiotic relationship between decision making and leadership to maximize organizational performance.

Business Management Course: From Management to Leadership

Expand your business acumen to reach your full potential as a manager and leader within your organization.

Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Training Program

Expand your leadership capacity and create an environment that fosters emotional intelligence.

Essential Management Skills for Emerging Leaders

Acquire the core skills you need to succeed as a leader.

Foundations of Data-Driven Decision Making

Understand the characteristics and applications of data sets in order to communicate effectively with your teams and develop business strategies.

Inclusive Leadership for a Diverse Workplace

Unlock your team’s full potential by building, promoting, and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Influence and Persuasion in Leadership

Improve your ability to influence and motivate your audience to accomplish your goals.

Introverts as Leaders: Quiet Power as a Leadership Strength

Challenge the conventional definition of leadership.

LGBTQ+ Leadership Program: Leading with Pride

Make a change within your organization and propel your career forward.

Leadership Coaching Strategies

Learn leadership coaching strategies to help your team navigate business challenges and maximize performance.

Leading More Effective Teams

Enhance your team’s productivity to boost your organization’s capabilities.

Managing Yourself and Leading Others

Evolve your leadership style to lead better and motivate others to accomplish your company’s goals.

Managing Yourself and Leading Others For Healthcare Professionals – Leadership Training Program

A specialized program designed to help managers in healthcare-related organizations become more effective leaders.

Strategic Sales Management

Learn proven sales management strategies and techniques to lead yourself, your direct reports, and your organization.

Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives: Mastery Session 3-Day Program

Master the key skills requisite to lead your teams through critical change initiatives.

Strengthening Business Relationships: Creating Strategic Alliances and Building Trust, Online Course

Foster innovation and creativity by learning new ways to stimulate effective relationships and build powerful alliances.

Supply Chain Management: Frameworks for Resilient and Agile Supply Chains

Learn how to use supply chain analytics to reduce costs, manage inventory as consumer needs evolve, and make strategic decisions.

The Art of Workplace Engagement: Creating a Positive Environment to Engage Employees

Learn strategies to increase workplace productivity by improving employee satisfaction and reducing friction in times of stress.

Women Leaders: Advancing Together, a Multi-Week Leadership Program

A leadership program for rising women leaders and senior managers to collaborate, mentor, and advance.

Women in Leadership: Online Program for Emerging Leaders

Become a strategic leader by developing your key strengths and attributes.

How Classes Work

We offer three different types of formats for programs: on campus, live online, and hybrid.

• On-campus programs take place in our dedicated state-of-the-art classroom space on Harvard’s campus at One Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA.
• Online programs are held via Zoom where you receive the same content online as on-campus, but from the convenience of your home or office.
• Hybrid programs are available both live online and on campus. Online participants are fully integrated into the program with the ability to see, hear, contribute, and network alongside your in-person counterparts.

Who Should Enroll

Each leadership and management course is designed to meet the needs of different industry leaders and professionals. Many of them are appropriate for a wide range of individuals, but some are specifically tailored to senior leaders, emerging leaders, or executives. More information about who should enroll in each program can be found on each program’s page.

Want to bring one of these leadership programs to your organization? Our team will work with you to find the way to engage with our programs that works best for your needs.

What You Earn

After completing a program, you receive a Certificate of Participation from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, further validating your expertise in the field. Taking the step to earn a certificate from a professional development program can signal to your employer that you are open to new experiences and enthusiastic about continuing to learn and grow.

Some leadership and management programs may count toward a Certificate of Leadership Excellence (CLE).

When Courses Are Offered

Many of our programs are offered multiple times a year in several formats. Miss the deadline to register? We bring popular programs back year after year — sign up to get notified when new dates are available .

The cost of a Professional & Executive Development program depends on the format you take it in and the length of the course. For more information about pricing, please visit your desired program page.

A 10% discount is available to participants taking more than one program, and discounts are also available for groups of two or more from the same organization. To take advantage of our discounts, please email [email protected] for further instructions.

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.

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Education Leadership

Here you will find information that looks at the all-important issue of education leadership in our schools. Posting here does not imply  Georgia Partnership  endorsement. Entries go back to 2016.   Broken links should be reported here.

Additional Education Leadership Resources ASCD – Educational Leadership …  Center for Educational Leadership, University of Washington College of Education … Council of Chief State School Officers … Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement … Harvard Graduate School of Education … Institute for Educational Leadership … New Leaders … New Teacher Center … Southern Regional Education Board … The Leader In Me School  (Student) Leadership Program … Wallace Foundation – School Leadership

Preparing Educators and School Leaders for Effective Arts Integration Education Commission of the States

Arts integration is a holistic approach to educating students that involves incorporating arts competencies into core school curricula. Introduction . (May 14)

Hire Expectations: Big-district Superintendents Stay in Jobs Longer Than We Think The Broad Center

This report examines data from the nation’s 100 largest school districts over 15 years to find that the average superintendent’s tenure is actually about six years, as opposed to the commonly cited three. Related story. (May 10)

50 State Comparison:  School Leader Certification and Preparation Programs Education Commission of the States

This state comparison includes four data points for preparation, and three for certification and licensure. Explore how your state — and how all states — approach specific school leadership policies. (April 26)

Joint Study Committee on the Establishment of a Leadership Academy – Final Recommendations to Gov. Nathan Deal

The committee offered six recommendations based on an instruction focused, collaborative concept of school leadership with five core concepts. (December 20)

School Leadership – New Challenges and Opportunities Saporta Report

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education policy and research director, Dr. Dana Rickman, wrote this piece that underscores the importance of leadership at all levels of the education pipeline. (November 21)

School Leadership Counts New Teacher Center

School and teacher leaders increase student achievement.  This report shows how.  Related story . (October 31)

A Big Push in States for PD, Leadership Skills for Superintendents, Principals Education Week Market Watch

In 2017, at least 33 states introduced legislation focusing on school and/or district leadership. (October 27)

2017 State Policy Review: School and District Leadership Education Commission of the States (ECS)

This special report provides context and examples of new legislation impacting preparation, certification, induction, professional development, evaluation, and compensation for leaders of schools and districts.  Introduction.  (October 17)

Want to fix schools? Go to the principal’s office New York Times

Gregory Jones, the principal of Kenwood high school, has learned that when spring finally arrives in Chicago, trouble often arrives with it. He saw it happen again on a warm afternoon last May, when students were lingering outside the school, on the city’s South Side, and a fight broke out. (March 10)

What Research Studies and State Polices Address Incentives to Recruit and Retain Effective Principals? Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

During November 2016, legislators from Alabama and North Carolina asked SREB to share research studies and state policies that address incentives to recruit and retain effective principals. This briefing summarizes five research studies that provide guidance on how to design principal incentive strategies and construct measures to rate administrator performance. (February 20)

Identifying Team Leaders: Getting the Right People in the Right Positions GLISI – Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement

Most new principals learn quickly that their new job is simply too big for one person. While the principal’s role is taking on ever-increasing complexity, research is clear that instruction and student learning improve most when leadership is distributed effectively throughout a school, beyond formal, titled leaders.  Introduction.  (November 10)

Principals’ Time. Tasks, and Professional Development: An Analysis of Schools and Staffing Survey Data Institute of Education Sciences/U.S. DOE

This study shows that principals regularly clock more than a standard, full-time workload every week. On average, principals work nearly 60 hours a week, with leaders of high-poverty schools racking up even more time.  Related story.  (November 10)

Why Educators Should Be Paying Close Attention to Pharr, Texas The Urban Edge

Pharr — a Texas border city with a population of 73,000 — sits so close to Mexico that it’s connected to the country via a bridge. Like many of its neighboring cities along the Texas border, Pharr is home to a large population of immigrants and struggles with high poverty and low educational attainment levels. And yet, it’s also home to one of the most successful superintendents in the country. (July 5)

State Policy Leadership for the Future:  History of state coordination and governance and alternatives for the future ECS Policy Report

This report from Education Commission of the States and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems highlights how states constantly revisit governance arrangements to support student success and state goals.  Introduction .  More.  (May 17)

Starting With Why:  How District Leaders Drive Change Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI)

How did leaders in a rural school district in middle Georgia consistently improve math outcomes for traditionally underperforming students? That is the driving question of GLISI’s third report in its  Conditions for Success  case study series.  Introduction.  (April 12)

Leadership Turnover: 2015 Year of Significant Change in State Education Leadership Achieve

This report details the changes that took place across the country in 2015 and early 2016 in four key state leadership roles: Governor, State Boards of Education, Chief (leader of the K–12 system), and State Higher Education Executive Officer.  Introduction.  (February 2016)

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THE VOICE OF VIETNAM - VOV World

Deputy pm addresses executive leadership program’s opening at harvard university.

(VOVWORLD) -Vietnam wishes to continue to coordinate closely with the US to deliver their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development between the two countries in all fields, especially education and training, said Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai.

In his opening remarks at the 2024 Executive Leadership Program (VELP) at Harvard University, Boston, the US, this week, Deputy Prime Minister Khai said Vietnam always determines that external forces play a groundbreaking role, including policy advice, management experience and human resource training.

He expressed his belief that the Executive Leadership Program will help reveal strategic issues, shape a vision and provide specific and practical recommendations for Vietnam.

VELP has focused on discussing three topics:  Prospects and notable developments of the world and Asian economies, and assessment of major transformation trends and impacts on Vietnam economy; promoting new growth drivers in Vietnam, especially innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and emerging technologies; and solutions to overcome the middle-income trap and transform the growth model.

At Monday’s discussion, participants said Vietnam is one of the economies with the most successful transformation in the world over the past two decades.

Appreciating Vietnam's potential and opportunities of participating in global supply chains for emerging technology industries, experts recommended Vietnam take advantage of the shifting investment sources, build an ecosystem to develop emerging technologies, capitalize on AI human resource advantages, and focus on investing in digital infrastructure and renewable energy.

VOV VOVworld Deputy PM addresses Executive Leadership Program opening Harvard University AI

Deputy PM receives US Senator

NA Chairman applauds US Congress’s bipartisan support for closer ties with Vietnam

FM addresses seminar on Vietnam-US relations in Washington D.C.

Vietnam, US work to make bilateral ties more extensive, substantive and effective

Winners of the Denmark in Your Eyes contest on Green Future announced

Vietnamese weightlifter wins International Weightlifting Federation World Cup

Dien Bien Culture, Sports and Tourism Festival features various activities

Roadmap for 2021-2030 national electricity development plan approved

Grilled pork patties – a popular Vietnamese dish

Fish porridge, a delightful dish for Tet

Short film urges for sea turtles protection

UN General Assembly passes International Day of Play resolution proposed by Vietnam

Viettel named world’s 2nd strongest telecoms brand: Brand Finance

Vietnam vehemently condemns terrorist attacks in Russia

“Central Heritage Connection” train route launched

Vietnam-US first foreign ministerial-level dialogue fulfills new relationship framework

Vietnam's maritime sovereignty.

UIM F1H2O World Championship Grand Prix of Binh Dinh for powerboats opens

Whale Worshiping Festival 2024 organized in Son Tra

“I Love My Homeland Sea and Islands” contest reaches the final round

All activities in East Sea must comply with int’l law: deputy spokesperson

Media contributes to protecting Fatherland’s sovereignty over sea and islands

Music on the go ♫.

MELODY OF THE HOMELAND - Songs dedicated to Hanoi

MUSIC ON - Album Cam On

21-02-2024 MUSIC NEWS

MELODY OF THE HOMELAND - New V-Pop songs

MUSIC ON - WeChoice 2023 Album

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Master of Education in Educational Leadership

• Kennesaw State University
• Degrees and Programs
• Master Degrees

Effective Fall 2024, the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership offers two concentrations to reach your career objectives.   

K-12 Concentration: The Master's Degree (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership K-12 concentration will provide you with the content knowledge and credentials necessary to effectively lead schools, districts, multi-million dollar educational organizations, and/or post-secondary educational institutions.  Graduates of the K-12 concentrations - after completing their coursework and meeting all GaPSC certification requirements - will be eligible for Tier I Leadership Certification. If you already have a master's degree in a teaching field, you can choose the 18-hour “certification only” option. 

Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Concentration - Students completing the Higher Education Administration concentration will be eligible for a variety of leadership positions in post-secondary education including, but not limited to, positions in student affairs units, university administration, and college athletics administration. 

Both of the Master’s in Educational Leadership options are 30-credit hour online programs and are typically completed in five semesters (spring/summer/fall).  

While in the Master of Educational Leadership degree program, you are expected to be employed in a professional role in an organization where you are providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education).   

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REQUEST INFO

Program Snapshot

Program Format: All Online

Number of Credit Hours: 30 Total Hours

Entry Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer

Time to Complete: Five Semesters

Application Deadlines:

• Spring, November 1 st
• Fall, July 1 st
• Summer, April 1 st

Admissions Requirements

• Online Graduate Application  -  There is a non-refundable $60 application fee.
• 2.75 GPA in bachelor’s degree coursework or most recent graduate degree
• Transcripts -  Official transcripts from  EACH  College and/or University you have attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly to  [email protected] .
• Employment - Candidates must be employed in a professional role in an organization providing educational services.
• Admissions Portfolio (content differs based on concentration)

Applicants in the K-12 concentration must also include the following: 

• Resume or Professional Vitae  - Should document your education, years of teaching experience, current school and district, volunteer and service activities in which you have participated, and any leadership involvement. Resume MUST reflect at least TWO years of professional teaching or administrative experience prior to admission consideration.  Upload to the online application portal.
• Reference Form
• Mentor Form (with GaPSC L5 or higher certified mentor) - You can find the  mentor form with instructions here.  Upload to the online application portal. 
• Evidence of two years of teaching experience
• Evidence of Initial Certification in Georgia or completion of Program Admission Assessment

Applicants in the Higher Education and Student Affairs Concentration must include the following:

• Résumé or Professional Vitae – Uploaded to graduate application.  
• Recommendation/Evaluation Form (1) – Forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letter of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. This recommendation should come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
• Mentor Form – Completed by a mentor. Mentor requirements may be found within the HESA Mentor form .

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases:

• Students classified as non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. This program will not provide graduate level course work for certification renewal purposes. 

Educational Leadership Degree Benefits at Kennesaw State

Schools in the U.S. that students want to attend reported by U.S. News and World Report

Companies recruited students and alumni from KSU in 2020

K-12 Approved by the GPSC — The Georgia Professional Standards Commission has fully approved the K-12 concentration.

Focused Concentration Choices —  Choose one of two concentrations: K-12 or Higher Education and Student Affairs 

Advocate for Education Resources —  Many educational professionals must also learn to advocate for their student's needs. You will have the knowledge, experience, and resources necessary to support your students — at the local, state and, even national levels.

What can you do with an Educational Leadership degree?

Depending upon your choice of concentration, a master's degree in educational leadership prepares you for teaching or executive positions at public, private and independent and charter schools or colleges and universities.

Below are some positions that you may want to pursue with your master's degree in educational leadership.

• Assistant Principal
• College Athletics Administrator
• College/University Provost
• Dean of Students or Faculty
• District Administrator
• Education Administrator
• Instructional Coordinator
• Student Affairs Administrator
• University Registrar

Educational Leadership Salary and Career Information

Related degrees & programs.

Teacher Leadership

Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Instructional Technology

Department of Educational Leadership

Phone:  470-578-4377

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Marietta Campus 1100 South Marietta Pkwy Marietta, GA 30060

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Teaching and Teacher Leadership

The Master’s in Education (Ed.M.) prepares students with the skills needed to change the world through education. HGSE’s Ed.M. centers on three pillars of study: Foundations, which focus on core skills and knowledge; Programs, which focus on specific areas of practice; and Concentrations, which are opportunities to deepen contextual knowledge. Together, these pillars empower students to create transformative learning at every level and in every role. The Teaching and Teacher Leadership Program is designed for both aspiring teachers and experienced educators committed to deepening their craft. Students will build competencies, work alongside faculty and school-based mentors in meaningful and lasting networks, and pursue a wide range of career goals. The TTL curriculum enables novice teachers to pursue Massachusetts initial licensure in secondary education, while experienced teachers will focus on the art and craft of teaching to enhance their own practice or to lead others in transforming learning.

Catherine Neill PLC 2021, MC/MPA 2023 is helping build cities and movements

Catherine Neill has been interested in city systems and how people relate to their environment practically her entire life. 

“Growing up in Ireland, my family moved around quite a bit,” she says. “From a very young age, I realized how much where you live affects your opportunities—everything from where you work to where you send your kids to school is dependent on your housing situation.”

Today, Neill works as a senior planner at the Boston Planning and Development Agency. Before that she was an urban planner in Vancouver, Canada, working on that city’s first comprehensive plan resulting in transformative change. And while she has always had a deep appreciation for the importance of equitable housing, it was Harvard’s Public Leadership Credential (PLC) that really inspired her to take action and help make that happen.

“The opportunity the PLC gave me was to engage with changemakers from all over the world who were impacting areas like public education, health, and government affairs at all levels,” Neill says. “That encouraged me to step up and cofound an organization called Peer City Convening: an online forum of urban planning practitioners who meet to generate new approaches to improving affordable housing access for vulnerable communities across North America.”

Of course, Neill didn’t enroll in her first PLC course with that goal in mind. She found the convenient, self-paced format of each course and the opportunity to learn online at the renowned Harvard Kennedy School of Government an amazing opportunity for self-development. 

“The opportunity the PLC gave me was to engage with changemakers from all over the world who were impacting areas like public education, health, and government affairs at all levels.”

Catherine neill plc 2021, mc/mpa 2023.

“The great thing about the program is the way it challenges you to think about how you can enhance your effectiveness as a leader from a number of different angles. You can register, try out one or two courses, decide if you like it, and keep going from there,” she says.

Harvard’s Public Leadership Credential consists of six six-week courses in three curricular areas, plus a capstone project. Since it was first introduced in 2018, the program has welcomed thousands of learners from over 121 countries and continues to grow.

“I’m always looking for ways to improve myself, be more effective and ensure the public sector can operate more effectively, too,” says Neill, who after completing the PLC program also worked as a research assistant with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. “The policy analysis, group facilitation, and leadership skills I acquired in the program had an immediate impact on my ability to scale the Peer City Convening organization from three cities to 14 over the course of two years and move the dial on affordable housing policies nationally.” 

The PLC was a huge reason behind Neill’s decision to apply to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration, from which she graduated last year. She often tells people, “Because of my time at Harvard, I’m not just building cities. I’m building movements.”

More from HKS Magazine

Janhavi nilekani phd 2018 is working to provide a good childbirth for every mother, bully pulpit: jacinda ardern, mick mulvaney, hepsi barnett mpa 2000, and more, education for a better world.

Bagwell College of Education

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TUITION & FEES

M.Ed. In Educational Leadership – Tier I Leadership

Program overview.

The Master's Degree (M.Ed) in Educational Leadership provides candidates with the content knowledge and credentials necessary to effectively lead schools, districts and multi-million dollar organizations providing professional educational services. Applicants accepted into the program beginning in the summer of 2016, completing all degree requirements, will be eligible for a GaPSC Tier I Leadership Certification. For those with a Master's Degree in a teaching field, we also offer an eighteen (18) hour certification only option .

Beginning in Fall 2021, the Master's Degree is a thirty (30) hour program that is typically completed in six (5) semesters (spring/summer/fall) in under two (2) years. Two of the degree concentrations - Leadership in Urban Schools and Leading Independent and Charter Schools - are available in a fully online format. The other concentration, Coaching for Performance (which also leads to a GaPSC approved endorsement) is delivered through a face to face format.

The Master's Degree, as of summer 2016, leads to a clear renewable Tier I leadership certification in Georgia, and is fully approved by the Georgia Standards Commission. Candidates earning the degree who move to states in which leadership certification is also conferred at the M.Ed. level may be eligible for professional licensure in that state through reciprocity.

The program is highly professionally oriented, and candidates for the program are expected to currently be employed in a professional role in an organization providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education).  Field activities accompany the semester’s work to provide synthesis of the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for today’s educational leader. At the conclusion of the program, candidates will possess the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to lead schools to higher levels of achievement for all students.

While the master's degree in educational leadership is a meaningful step toward successful leadership for all educators, ours is particularly beneficial to those in non-traditional educational environments, such as public charter and independent schools, with quality leadership in those schools being one of our concentration areas.  In the past three years, approximately half the students completing the MED in Educational Leadership have been from the public charter or independent school sectors.

* Please note: The GaPSC requires that students complete assessments prior to enrollment and completion in programs that lead to certification (M.Ed. and Tier I Certification Only). The GACE Leadership Ethics Exam must be taken prior to enrollment in certification programs, and the GACE Educational Leadership content exam must be taken in order to be certified. Students who have taken the Ethics Exam in a M.Ed./Tier I program do not need to re-take for enrollment into the Ed.S./Tier II.

MED at a Glance

• Fully Online for most students (those who elect to pursue the “Coaching for Performance” concentration may meet face-to-face for three courses) 
• Thirty (30) hours
• Typically Completed in 5 semesters (less than 2 Years), Taking 2 Courses Per Semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer)

Core Courses (21 hours)

EDL 7101 Critical Analysis of Policy, Theory, and Praxis for Educational Leaders EDL 7201 Leading Curriculum and Assessment EDL 7315 Data Analysis School Leaders EDL 7401 Instructional Leadership for Learning & Change EDL 7415 Human Resources, Law, and Ethics for school leaders EDL 7601 School Operations and Organizational Management EDL 7615 Communication and community relations for school leaders

Concentration Courses (9 hours)

All candidates must select and complete at least one (1) concentration

Coaching for Performance Option (9 hours)

(9 hrs. yields a PSC Approved Coaching Endorsement) EDCO 7010 Introduction to Coaching EDCO 7020 Using Data for Coaching EDCO 7030 Applied Coaching

Leadership in Urban Schools Option (9 hours)

EDL 7700 Leadership in Urban Schools I EDL 7701 Leadership in Urban Schools II EDL 7780 Practicum (3 hours)

Leading Independent & Charter Schools Option (9 hours)

EDL 7800 Financial Management and Leadership EDL 7801 Institutional Advancement and Governance EDL 7780 Practicum (3 hours)

Admission Requirements

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements: 

• Degree – Bachelor’s degree.
• Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching or Service Certificate, out-of-state equivalent, OR Educational Leadership Department Chair/Program Coordinator approval. To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account .
• GACE Leadership Ethics Assessment – Completion Certificate must be uploaded to graduate application.  More information may be found on the GACE Leadership Ethics website . You may print a copy of your completion certification from the GACE Ethics test taker website.
• Employment – Employed in role within an organization providing educational services.
• Résumé or Professional Vitae – Uploaded to graduate application.
• Experience – Minimum of TWO (2) years of teaching experience required.
• Recommendation/Evaluation Form (1) – Forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letter of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. This recommendation should come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
• Mentor Form – Completed by a mentor holding a GaPSC clear, renewable Tier I or Tier II Leadership certificate. The Leadership Mentor Form provides instructions and requirements.  Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance.
• Partnership Agreement – PSC rule 505-3-.77 requires “a partnership agreement…for the purpose of collaborative work…Such partnership shall permit self-selection for Tier I programs provided the partner district has the capacity to mentor the candidate.”  Kennesaw State University must hold a Performance-Based partnership with the Candidate’s School District or Charter/Independent School.  Reach out to the Program Coordinator , for Tier I Leadership, to confirm that one exists with your school system. 

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases:  Students classified as non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. This program will not provide graduate level course work for certification renewal purposes. 

Transfer Credits 

• M.Ed. may accept up to 9 hours of approved credit with a “B” or better and no more than 5 years old.
• Tier I Certification Only may rarely accept 3 hours of approved credit with a “B” or better and no more than 5 years old. 

Deadlines for Applications

Spring , November 1 Summer , April 1 Fall , July 1

For additional questions, please email the Program Coordinator, Dr. Cathey Goodgame, at [email protected] or call (470) 578-6888 or email [email protected] for additional information.

Contact Info

Kennesaw Campus 1000 Chastain Road Kennesaw, GA 30144

Marietta Campus 1100 South Marietta Pkwy Marietta, GA 30060

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Phone 470-KSU-INFO (470-578-4636)

kennesaw.edu/info

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