Educational Leadership, Principal Preparation Endorsement / Master of Education (M.Ed.)
The Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement is designed to assist current licensed teachers to move into principal positions that deal with school governance and management, transformational leadership, supervision for school improvement, school and public policy and research. This program includes the ELCC, ISLLC and SRE standards for building level leadership.
See complete admission requirements in College of Education introduction.
Prerequisites
- Professional Educator License with Teacher Endorsement.
- Four years successful teaching experience.
- Interview with the Principal Preparation Team.
- Fulfillment of Survey of Exceptional Child requirement (105 ILCS 5/21-2a).
Course of study for the Master of Education degree: total of 33 semester hours plus comprehensive exam.
Degree Requirements
Core Courses (27)
| 51-522 | Ethical and Moral Foundations of Educational Leadership | 3 |
| 51-538 | Critical Issues in School Law for Educational Leaders | 3 |
| 51-548 | Organizational Systems in Educational Leadership | 3 |
| 51-557 | Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for School Improvement | 3 |
| 51-558 | School Finance | 3 |
| 51-577 | Supervision for Professional Development | 3 |
| 51-578 | The Principal as Critical Transformative Leader | 3 |
| 51-588 | Internship 1 | 3 |
| 51-589 | Internship 2 | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 27 |
Comprehensive Examination Required
Non-core courses (6)
| 51-576 | Multicultural Foundations for Educators and Counselors | 3 |
| 52-575 | Practical Research for Learning Communities | 3 |
Transfer credit accepted: A maximum of six (6) credit hours may be accepted for transfer from a regionally accredited institution, earned within the last five years, with no grade lower than a B; transcript must be accompanied by a performance portfolio indicating that the courses requested for transfer have addressed the appropriate ISLLC, ELCC amd SREB standards.
Special Education non-core courses beyond M.Ed. (8)
| 51-581 | Supervision and Administration of Special Education | 3 |
| 51-586 | Principles of Counseling: Guidance, Supervisory, and Special Education Personnel | 3 |
| 51-570 | Special Education Finance | 1 |
| 54-566 | Special Education Law | 1 |
Master of Arts Option (6)
XX-XXX-
| 3 credit hours elective approved by advisor | 3 |
| 51-599 | Thesis | 3 |
Director of Special Education Endorsement
Candidates who have an administrative endorsement on their Professional Educator License may elect to complete additional coursework leading to Illinois State Board of Education approval for the Director of Special Education Endorsement. The Director of Special Education Endorsement is granted by the ISBE not Lewis University via individual transcript evaluation. Candidates who apply for the Endorsement should submit all transcripts to ISBE for review. ISBE will notify the candidate if any additional coursework is required.