Educational Leadership, M.A.

• 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.

Required Common Courses for All Tracks (18 credits)

Through this coursework, you will:

• 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

In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the administration track concentration (12 credits):

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

In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the instructional track concentration (12 credits):

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

In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the instructional coaching endorsement track (12 credits):

Learning Outcomes

• Know and understand deeply the literacy content across PK-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.

In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses in the mathematics coaching endorsement track (12 credits):

Learning Outcomes

• Know and understand deeply the mathematics content across PK-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.

The Reading Specialist PK-12 certification curriculum for master’s students includes 12 credits of the required common courses (GEN 502, EDL 614, 615 and 629), and the following courses in the Reading Specialist PK-12 Certification Track (18 credits, 30 total credits):

Learning Outcomes

As a candidate for this certification, you will develop your understanding and demonstrate competency related to the following areas:

• Addressing the literacy needs of individual students, as well as the broader needs of the school community
• Analyzing data and identifying best practice in core and intervention instruction
• Providing literacy-related leadership to teachers and administrators
• Leading instructional initiatives to promote literacy development
• Designing and delivering instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners

You will have the opportunity to integrate and apply best practices in instruction and assessment in a hands-on manner during EDL 692, the Reading Specialist Practicum.

In addition to the 18 credits of required common courses, you will take the following courses (12 credits):

Learning Outcomes

1. Knowledge of standards, design processes, and the important role of STEM in workforce preparation.
2. Implementation of best practices in Integrative STEM education.
3. Assessment of Integrative STEM learning in the classroom.
4. Application of STEM skills and the ability to demonstrate them.

In addition to the 21 credits of required common courses (18 credits of required common courses along with a 3 credits Master’s Level elective), you will be required to take the following courses in the Social, Emotional and Behavioral Wellness PK-12 Endorsement track (10 credits):

Learning Outcomes

As a candidate for this endorsement, you will develop your understanding and demonstrate competency related to the following areas:

• Social and emotional wellness Learning and youth development
• Characteristics and impact of adverse childhood experiences, trauma, and mental illness on PK-12 students
• Behavioral and mental health literacy
• Prevention and intervention to support social, emotional and behavioral wellness across PK-12 educational environment
• Collaboration with families, agencies, and the community

You will also complete 45 hours of on-site clinical experiences closely integrated with coursework, assessment practices and program goals.