Graduate Studies
Immaculata University’s Educational Leadership Program is committed to excellence in preparing educational leaders.
Immaculata’s Educational Leadership Program will empower you to contribute to your school’s effectiveness in its ethical practices and conduct by enabling you to collaborate with other professionals and parents, to use community resources, and to work as an advocate to improve opportunities for student learning.
- Understand the role of a school leader from theoretical, research, and pedagogical bases
- Place the needs of students as a first priority in the complex, fluid school setting
- Enhance your skills in collaborative and focused interactions with other professionals
- Become skilled in systematic inquiry
- Use deliberate reflection in decision-making and problem-solving
Program Highlights
- Accessible: cohorts on campus in Malvern, PA and at various off-campus locations.
- Flexible: classes offered face-to-face, online, and in hybrid and accelerated formats, during evenings and weekends, year round
- Experience: Immaculata University’s faculty members have been practitioners in the K-12 arena and have vast experience in research on policy and practice.
Each of the tracks in the program will support you in your efforts to think systematically about practice, learn from experience, seek the advice of others, draw upon educational research and scholarship, and grow professionally.
Flexible Program Delivery
Accelerated, seven-week classes allow you to start the M.A. in fall, spring, or summer and complete the program in as little as one year. You may pursue your studies full time or part time, and courses are available online, hybrid, or face-to-face. Face-to-face classes are offered in the late afternoon or evening at our campus in Malvern, PA as well as at several off-campus locations. If you are interested in starting a cohort at a location near you, please contact us at gradadmission@immaculata.edu or call 484-323-3005.
Course Preview
Instructional Needs of English Language Learners
Course participants are introduced to the socio-cultural, second language acquisition, and academic needs of English language learners.
Technology in Education
A focus on the application of technology to the local school setting. Students will become knowledgeable of the latest innovations in computer and multi-media technology as they apply to classroom and administrative tasks.
School Law and the Legal Practice
The purpose of the course is to provide students with a basic understanding of the legal system and the fundamental principles of law as they apply to education, as well as the social and political influences between state and local governments, organizations, and their influences on public education.
Instructional Accommodations
This course includes introductory level instructional adaptations and accommodations for all school-age students who are academically and functionally at risk for learning and/or for students identified as needing special education.
Required Common Courses for All M.A. in Educational Leadership Tracks (18 credits)
| Course Name | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| GEN 501 | Human Development | 3 |
| GEN 502 | Methods of Research | 3 |
| GEN 503 | Interpersonal Relations | 3 |
| EDL 599 | Comprehensive Exam in Educational Leadership and Administration | 0 |
| EDL 614 | Instructional Needs of ELL or PSYCH 640 Div. Counseling | 3 |
| EDL 615 | Contemporary Professional Ethics | 3 |
| EDL 622 | Curriculum and Instruction | 3 |
Administrative Track
In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the administration track concentration (12 credits):
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDL 621 | Administration | 3 |
| EDL 623 | Supervision | 3 |
| EDL 625 | School Law | 3 |
| EDL 626 | School Community Relations | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- Express a clear, detailed vision and an explicitly stated philosophy in shaping a coherent curriculum and in fostering an effective school
- Demonstrate instructional leadership, which provides purpose and direction for student achievement
- Demonstrate organizational skills to implement school plans of action efficiently and effectively
- Make systematic use of information to access the needs and accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff
Instructional Track
In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the instructional track concentration (12 credits):
| Course Name | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| EDL 629 | Introduction to Special Education | 3 |
| EDL 634 | Content Area Reading or EDL 641 Diff. Reading | 3 |
| EDL 637 | Technology in Education or EDL 613 Test. & Assessment | 3 |
| EDL Elective | Select one course | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structure of the specific discipline to be taught
- Understand how students learn and develop learning opportunities to support their development through good instructional planning, effective learning environments, a variety of teaching strategies, and appropriate assessment tools
- Create opportunities that foster the achievement of diverse learners in an inclusive classroom by encouraging positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation
Instructional Coaching Endorsement Track
In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the instructional coaching endorsement track (12 credits):
- EDL 660 Instructional Strategies for Standards Aligned Curriculum in Literacy (3)
- EDL 661 Literacy in Education (3)
- EDL 664 Literacy Assessment and Intervention (3)
- EDL 665 Teacher Leaders: Coaching Principles (3)
Learning Outcomes
- Know and understand deeply the literacy content across PreK-12 and acquire habits of the mind as they relate to concepts and skill development.
- Identify and assist teachers with implementing evidence-based practices that effectively meet the unique academic and behavioral needs of students.
- Develop and implement instructional strategies to improve academic literacy in specific content areas.
- Be well-versed in characteristics of adult learners and processes for successful coaching.
Mathematics Coaching Endorsement
Curriculum
- EDL 662 Instructional Strategies for Standards Aligned Curriculum in Mathematics (3)
- EDL 663 Literacy in Mathematics Education (3)
- EDL 664 Literacy Assessment and Intervention (3)
- EDL 665 Teacher Leaders: Coaching Principles (3)
Learning Outcomes
- Know and understand deeply the mathematics content across PreK-12 and acquire habits of the mind as they relate to concepts and skill development.
- Identify and assist teachers with implementing evidence-based practices that effectively meet the unique academic and behavioral needs of students.
- Develop and implement instructional strategies to improve mathematical literacy.
- Be well-versed in characteristics of adult learners and processes for successful coaching.
STEM Education Endorsement Track
Immaculata’s 30-credit M.A. in Educational Leadership combined with a STEM Education endorsement will help prepare educators to implement best practices in integrative education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Whether you are teaching in an early childhood, elementary, or secondary classroom, you will learn to use innovative problem-based approaches, appropriate technology and assessment tools to enhance STEM teaching, learning, student achievement and college and career readiness. Educators need to be prepared to teach students not only STEM content but also various ways of thinking critically through complex problems. Teachers with a STEM endorsement added to their certificate will have greater employability as school leaders strive to develop a teaching workforce that fosters critical thinking in the STEM subjects.
Program Highlights
Several faculty members in this program have participated in a program with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center designed to assist educators in increasing their content knowledge and improving their teaching strategies. Faculty worked with NASA scientists and NASA science educators in inquiry-based and problem-based learning, studying a range of topics aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards. The courses and field experiences in this program are grounded in inquiry-based, project-based and problem-based pedagogies, informed by Next Generation Science Standards, Pennsylvania Core State Standards for Mathematics, and International Technology and Engineering Educators Association’s standards for technological literacy.
Curriculum
In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses (12 credits):
- EDL 654 Foundations of Integrative STEM Education K-12
- EDL 655 Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment in STEM Education K-12
- EDL 656 Engineering and Technology Design and Project-Based Learning for Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers OR EDL 657 Engineering and Technology Design (ETD) and Project-Based Learning (PBL) for Secondary Teachers
- EDL 658 STEM Integration and Application in the Classroom
Abigail Wilt: One Special Teacher Mastering the Art of Special Education
Wilt knew that she wanted to attend a university that was close to home and work and offered convenient class schedules. Besides the convenience, she has made friends with her classmates, many of whom are at different stages in their educational career, which makes for lively class discussions and unique perspectives.
Just the facts
10
Classes required for program completion
35
Alumni Superintendents
95
Alumni Principals
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