K-12 Leadership Programs

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively lead schools and meet the needs of 21st Century Learners. The purpose of this degree is to provide an academic foundation for school leadership and to develop the skills and abilities of educational leaders through performance-based learning. Applicants selecting this program are educators who would like to broaden their career options to include school administration. Students completing this program can apply to the Michigan Department of Education and receive initial administrator certification. This certification is a state requirement for school principals. The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership is a nationally accredited program by the NCATE.

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Specialist in Education in General Educational Administration
The Specialist in Education in General Educational Administration is an advanced degree program that prepares professional educators with instructional and leadership skills beyond the master's level of competence. The purpose of this degree is to extend the academic foundation, skills, and abilities of educational leaders and to build leadership capacity in a variety of educational settings. The Ed.S. degree is based upon the satisfactory completion of 30 semester hours of graduate-level coursework. Applicants may choose one of two concentrations areas (Administrative Leadership K-12, or Instructional Leadership K-12). The program is aligned to state standards and is approved by the state of Michigan.

Applicants who complete the Administrative Leadership K-12 concentration may apply to the Michigan Department of Education for administrative district-level certification.

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Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
The Ed.D. degree in Educational Leadership is designed to provide in-depth knowledge and skills to educational leaders who seek to develop and refine their knowledge and skills to help transform through practice in the educational institution. The program emphasizes the application of scholarship (theory) to the improvement of educational practice. It is intended for individuals in educational leadership careers. Students accepted into the program will be part of a cohort.

The Ed.S. degree program was also designed for a seamless transition into the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership program if the applicant meets department requirements. Students entering the Doctor of Education program, who have an earned Specialist in Education degree in Educational Leadership from an approved institution, may receive up to a maximum of 27 credits toward the Doctor of Education. The remaining Doctor of Education requirements must be completed at Central Michigan University.

NOTE: As of November 20, 2020, GRE use was suspended and will ot be required for Fall 2021 admission. Once a student has completed the application progress, a writing sample with prompts will be emailed to students. Their submissions will be evaluated by EDL faculty using a shared rubric.

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Educational Leadership

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Department of Educational Leadership
College of Education and Human Services
Central Michigan University
195 Ojibway Ct.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
EHS Building

Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
989-774-3204
edlead@cmich.edu

K-12 Leadership Programs

Educational Leadership

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