Program Overview

The program aims to prepare you for leadership in Pre-K-Age 22 educational organizations. The curriculum highlights an integrated and interdisciplinary skill-based focus on leadership, management and administrative development. With a nationally and internationally recognized faculty and a tradition of quality, the Master of Arts in School Leadership will provide you with a unique blend of theory and practice in preparation for positions of leadership. The School Leadership Concentration leads to the State of Illinois Principal Endorsement. It will prepare you for a career as a practitioner and scholar to lead and transform a wide variety of Pre-K-Age 22 educational organizations. Our graduates serve in leadership positions at the district and school levels.

Principal Endorsement

On Sept. 7, 2012, the Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB) approved Northeastern Illinois University’s new principal preparation master’s degree program in school leadership leading to the new State of Illinois Principal Endorsement. Students who complete the 12-course master’s degree program in school leadership at Northeastern matriculate to positions of leadership in their schools and communities and receive the new State of Illinois Principal Endorsement.

The sequence of courses and the objectives of the school leadership program have been designed to develop exemplary school leaders and to foster their continued growth and effectiveness. Our program includes three internship experiences, thus providing for a unique blend of theory and practice in preparation for positions in leadership. Successfully completing the course concentration in school leadership will develop your competencies in effective leadership, educational management practices and staff development at the school level. 

Accreditations

The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Program Objectives

The program objectives for the School Leadership Concentration have been designed to:

  • Develop exemplary administrative school leaders.
  • Foster a school leader’s continuing growth and effectiveness.
  • Serve diverse communities.
  • Develop competencies and skills related to effective leadership.
  • Master management practices and staff development at the school level.