MASTER OF ARTS IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

Program Overview
The program aims to prepare you for leadership in Pre-K-12 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–12 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 National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

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.

Required Courses

Course Number

Course Name

Credit Hours

36 Total

Sequence I

LEAD-424

Introduction to Evaluation of Certified and Support Staff

3

LEAD-421

Educational Leadership and Organizational Analysis

3

LEAD-429

Research Design and Analysis of Educational Data

3

LEAD-436

Human Resources Administration in Education

3

Upon successful completion of Sequence I and admittance to the program, Part I of the Comprehensive Exam must be taken.

Sequence II

LEAD-401

Instructional Leadership

3

LEAD-422

The Principalship

3

LEAD-431

School and Community Relations

3

LEAD-432

School Finance and Budgeting

3

LEAD-433

School Law and Ethics

3

LEAD-434, 435, 437

Internship (three-course sequence)

3 each = 9

Upon successful completion of at least three of the five Sequence II courses (not including the internships) Part II of the Comprehensive Exam must be taken.

Locations and Program Availability
Northeastern Illinois University
5500 N. St. Louis Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625

University Center of Lake County
1200 University Center Drive
Grayslake, IL 60030