University of Delaware
School
of Education
  M. Ed. In Educational Leadership

Program Policy Statement



Part I.  Program History

A. Purpose Statement
B. Origin of the Program
C. Administration and Faculty

D. Degrees Offered

Part II.  Admission

A. University Policy on Admission
B. University Admission Procedures
C. Specific Requirements for Admission into the M.Ed. in Reading
D. Admission Status

Part III. Degree Requirements for the M. Ed. in Reading

A. Course Requirements

B. Non-Registered Degree Requirements

Part V. General Information

  1. Financial Assistance
  2. Application for Advanced Degree
  3.  Graduate Grade Point Average
  4. Time Limits for the Completion of Degree Requirements
  5. Extension of the Time Limit
  6. Transfer of Credit Earned as a Continuing Education Student at the University of Delaware

G.   Transfer of Credit from Another Institution
H.   Transfer of Credit from the Undergraduate Division at the University of Delaware

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised October, 2006
 


 

 

Part I.  Program History

A.      Purpose Statement

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership is a thirty-three-credit hour, non-thesis program consisting of 18 credits of required core courses, 12 credits in one of two specializations, concentrations and 3 credits in an educational leadership practicum. This is a part-time, nonresidential, evening and weekend program designed for students who are employed full-time. In accordance with the general mission of the School of Education represented in its conceptual framework, this program facilitates students' development as reflective practitioners who bring a variety of decision making skills to the enterprise of solving problems, as scholars who are able to study their own practice as well as the practice of others in their field, and as leaders who are able to accommodate diversity among people with whom they work.

The curriculum draws upon students' work experience to integrate theory and practice as it prepares them for positions of leadership in educational settings. Those settings include elementary, secondary, postsecondary, public, private, and vocational schools as well as adult and continuing education programs. There are two program specializations concentrations: School Administration and Adult and Postsecondary Education Administration.  The concentration in School Administration is designed to prepare teachers to advance to positions as K-12 School Principals

The program goals, as established by the program faculty, include:

1.        The development of candidates' ability to read critically and to analyze theoretical and empirical research on administration and leadership.

2.         The improvement of candidates' ability to write coherent analytical arguments by means of varied writing assignments.

3.         The development of candidates' ability to use research and theory for the analysis and evaluation of organizational issues occurring in their work settings.

4.        The encouragement of candidates' questioning current administrative and leadership practices and investigating the improvement of those practices.

5.      The development of candidates' administrative and leadership skills.

B. Origin of the Program

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is one of the older master’s programs developed in the previously existing College of Education.  It was housed in the Department of Educational Development, and originally included specializations in School Administration and Adult and Post-secondary Education Administration.  The School Administration specialization concentration of the current M.Ed. program in Educational Leadership is designed to reflect the standards based criteria of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), which is the professional organization that provides the professional standards for this degree.  The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership was reviewed by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in 2002-2003 as part of a University-wide accreditation renewal process.

C. Administration and Faculty

The Committee on Graduate Studies in Education (CGSE) is the SOE-level committee that administers all the graduate programs, including the M. Ed. in Educational Leadership.  The committee is composed of five faculty members from the School of Education, a graduate student member selected by the Education Graduate Association, and the Assistant Director of the School of Education who serves as the Graduate Coordinator for the School of Education.

The SOE is committed to the recruitment, support, and retention of full-time, tenure-line faculty members in educational leadership.  Faculty members who teach graduate courses and advise graduate students in the School of Education must have a doctorate or equivalent.  In some instances, faculty members with a master’s degree and special expertise in an area of Education as a result of concentrated study, employment experience, or service may be recommended for graduate teaching.  In such cases, the faculty member must have a record of successful teaching in a specialized area of Education, proven scholarly ability, and the endorsement of the leadership faculty and the Director of the School of Education.

Faculty members in educational leadership review candidates for admission to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, serve as advisors to candidates admitted to the program, teach courses, and evaluate candidates’ exhibits and internships.

D. Degrees Offered

The degree awarded to candidates who complete this program will be an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Most graduates of the School Administration specialization concentration will earn this degree and then seek state Department of Education certification as school principals. 

Part II.  Admission

A. University Policy on Admission

Admission to the graduate program is competitive.  Those who meet stated minimum requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

B. University Admission Procedures

Applicants must submit all of the following items to the Office of Graduate Studies before admission can be considered:

Admission decisions are made twice a year.  Applications are due by December 1 November 1, or July 1 April 1 and applications will only be reviewed and decisions made at the time of the application deadlines.  Admission application forms are available from the Office of Graduate Studies, from the departments, and are available online at (http://www.udel.edu/admissions/appinfo.html). http://www.udel.edu/gradoffice/applicants/index.html

A $60 nonrefundable application fee must be submitted with the application. Checks must be made payable to the University of Delaware. Applications received without the application fee will not be processed. Foreign students may utilize either a check or an International Postal Money Order to remit payment in U.S. currency.

An official transcript of all previous college records must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of Graduate Studies. Students who have attended the University of Delaware need not supply a transcript from Delaware. Transcripts issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by an official translation into English. If the rank of the student is not displayed on the transcript or diploma, an official letter of explanation and ranking from the institution where the degree was earned is required.

Applicants must submit at least three letters of recommendation.   The educational leadership faculty recommend that one letter come from a teaching supervisor (e.g., principal or curriculum specialist), and the other two may come from a faculty member or another individual who is familiar with the quality of the applicant’s academic ability. 

International student applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in the English language if English is not their first language. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is offered by the Educational Testing Service in test centers throughout the world. TOEFL scores more than two years old cannot be validated or considered official. International students must be offered admission to the University and provide evidence of adequate financial resources before a student visa will be issued. The University has been authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students. International students are required to purchase the University-sponsored insurance plan or its equivalent.

It is a Delaware State Board of Health Regulation and a University of Delaware mandate that all entering graduate students born after January 1, 1957 give proof of proper immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella. If immunization requirements are not met, the student will not be eligible to register. Specific information may be obtained from the Student Health Service (302) 831-2226.

C. Specific Requirements for Admission into the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership

Admission decisions are made by the full-time faculty in educational leadership.  Students will be admitted to the program based upon enrollment availability and their ability to meet the following minimum recommended entrance requirements.

·         Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.

·         Transcripts showing an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher. Applicants with lower than expected performance are not automatically disqualified, but should provide an explanation for their prior performance and describe the experiences, skills, and dispositions they believe indicate the ability to succeed at the graduate level.

·         Transcripts showing a minimum GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses completed (if applicable). This GPA applies to graduate level courses taken through continuing education or graduate programs at the University of Delaware and other institutions.

·         Three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to assess the applicant’s academic potential. Letters should be from professors who can attest to the candidate’s suitability for graduate study and supervisors who can comment on the candidate’s professional commitment and experience. Letters from family, friends, and professional peers are strongly discouraged.

·         For students whose native language is not English, an officially reported minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test) or 250 (computer-based test).

·         A written statement of goals and objectives. This three-question essay response is part of the standard Graduate Studies application and should (a) clearly describe why the applicant wishes to pursue a MED in Educational Leadership and (b) indicate and explain which of the two specializations concentrations the applicant wishes to be considered for.

Any applicant seeking Delaware certification as a School Principal must have a valid teaching certificate and three years of teaching experience (or two years of teaching experience and one year internship).

D. Admission Status

 Students admitted into the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership may be admitted into one of two categories.

1)  Regular. Regular status is offered to students who meet all of the established entrance requirements and who have the ability, interest, and commitment necessary for successful study at the graduate level in a degree program.

2)  Provisional. Provisional status is offered to students who are seeking admission to the degree program but lack one or more of the specified prerequisites. All provisional requirements must be met within the deadline given before regular status can be granted. Students admitted with provisional status are generally not eligible for assistantships or fellowships. 

 

 

 

Part III. Degree Requirements for the Master of Education  in Educational Leadership

A. Course Requirements

The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership requires a minimum of 33 credits of graduate-level coursework.  The required coursework is as follows:

 

I.                        General Requirements (15 credits)

 

    • EDUC 664 Legal Issues for School Managers
    • EDUC 678 Human Resource Management
    • EDUC 695 Introduction to Leadership Theory
    • EDUC 694 Organizational Management
    • EDUC 863 Principles of Educational Evaluation

 

II.                        Research Requirement (3 credits, select one with advisor consent):

 

    • EDUC 600 Teacher as Researcher OR
      EDUC 607
      Educational Research Procedures OR
      EDUC 665
      Elementary Statistics

 

III.           Specializations Concentrations (must select either A or B)

 

A.                                          School Administration Specialization Concentration (12 credits)
This option meets
Delaware state certification requirements.

    • EDUC 661 School Business Management
    • EDUC 693 Supervision: Purposes and Effects
    • EDUC 640 Introduction to Curriculum
    • EDUC 689 Administration of Elementary and Middle Schools OR
      EDUC 690 Administration of Secondary School

 

OR

 

B.                                          Adult & Postsecondary Education Administration Specialization Concentration (12 credits)

    • EDUC 699 Foundations of Adult & Postsecondary Education
    • EDUC 883 Administration of Adult & Postsecondary Education Programs
    • EDUC 662 Adult Learner
    • EDUC 698 Instructional Strategies for Adults OR
      EDUC 670 Program Design for Adults OR
      EDCE 642 Seminar in Higher Education Administration
    • EDUC 670 Program Design & Instructional Strategies for Adults

 

     III.            Educational Leadership Practicum (3 -6 credits)

 

All students are required to complete the graduate course, EDUC 879 Internship in Education. Students in the School Administration Concentration will complete a 6-credit internship; students in the Adult & Post-Secondary Education Administration Concentration will complete a 3-credit internship plus one additional 3-credit course selected with the approval of their faculty advisor.

 

To describe and analyze the field experience, students will complete a portfolio. The portfolio must document what was done and explain how the student achieved the objectives. In addition, the portfolio must reflect statements of how the field experience manifested the Delaware administration standards. School of Education faculty will evaluate the portfolio.

Part V. General Information

A. Financial Assistance

 

Financial assistance for full-time students in the M.Ed. program is obtained from a variety of external sources and will therefore vary in form and availability.  Assistance will be awarded on a competitive basis to applicants who best fit the needs of the granting agencies and sponsoring faculty.  Students receiving full stipends will be expected to work up to 20 hours per week on faculty projects and students are expected to maintain full-time status.
 

B. Application for Advanced Degree.

 

To initiate the process for degree conferral, candidates must submit an "Application for Advanced Degree" to the Office of Graduate Studies. The application deadlines are February 15 for Spring candidates, May 15 for Summer candidates, and September 15 for Winter candidates. The application must be signed by the candidate's adviser and by the Director or the Assistant Director of the School of Education. There is an application fee of $50 for master's degree candidates and a $95 fee for doctoral degree candidates. Payment is required when the application is submitted.

 

C. Graduate Grade Point Average.

Students must have a minimum overall cumulative grade point average of 3.0 to be eligible for the degree. In addition, the grades in courses applied toward the degree program must equal at least 3.0. All graduate-numbered courses taken with graduate student classification at the University of Delaware are applied to the cumulative index. Credit hours and courses for which the grade is below "C-" do not count toward the degree even though the grade is applied to the overall index. Candidates should see that their instructors have submitted all final grades.

 D. Time Limits for the Completion of Degree Requirements.

Time limits for the completion of degree requirements begin with the date of matriculation and are specifically expressed in the student's letter of admission. The University policy for students entering a master's degree program is ten consecutive semesters to complete the degree requirements. Students who change their degree plan and have transferred from one degree program to another degree program are given ten consecutive semesters from the beginning of the first year in the latest program.

E. Extension of the Time Limit.

An extension of time limit may be granted for circumstances beyond the student's control. Requests for time extensions must be made in writing and approved by the student's adviser and the Director or Assistant Director of the School of Education. The Director/Assistant Director will forward the request to the Office of Graduate Studies. The Office of Graduate Studies will determine the student's eligibility for a time extension and will notify the student in writing of its decision to grant an extension of time.

F. Transfer of Credit Earned as a Continuing Education Student at the University of Delaware.

Students who complete graduate credits with the classification of CEND (Continuing Education Nondegree) at the University of Delaware may use a maximum of 9 graduate credits earned with this classification toward their graduate degree. The CEND credits, grades, and quality points become a part of the student's academic record and grade point average. CEND credit can be transferred provided that: (a) the course was at the 600 or 800 level, (b) the course was taken within the time limit appropriate for the degree, (c) the course was approved by the student's adviser and the Director/Assistant Director of the School of Education, and (d) the course was in accord with the requirements for the degree.

 

G. Transfer of Credit from Another Institution.

Graduate credit earned at another institution will be evaluated at the written request of the student. Such a request should be submitted first to his or her advisor using a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form. A maximum of 9 credits required for the degree will be accepted provided that such credits: (a) were earned with a grade of no less than B-, (b) are approved by the student's adviser and the Director/Assistant Director of the School of Education, (c) are in accord with the requirements of the degree, (d) are not older than five years, and (e) were completed at an accredited college or university. The credits, but not the grades or quality points, are transferable to University of Delaware graduate records. Graduate courses counted toward a degree received elsewhere may not be used. Credits earned at another institution while the student was classified as a continuing education student at that institution are not eligible to be transferred to one's graduate degree at the University of Delaware. Credits from institutions outside of the United States are generally not transferable to the University of Delaware.

H. Transfer of Credit from the Undergraduate Division at the University of Delaware.

Students who wish to transfer credits from their undergraduate record to their graduate record may transfer a limited number by arranging with the department to have these courses approved by their instructors before the courses are taken. These courses must be at the 600-level, and the student must perform at the graduate level. They must be in excess of the total required for the baccalaureate degree, must have grades of no less than B-, and must not be older than five years. The credits, grades, and quality points will transfer.