BECOME A CRITICAL TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.
The Master of Education in Educational Leadership with Principal Endorsement program at Lewis University prepares individuals to become principals who understand and navigate complex issues surrounding opportunity differences for students, educators and families while working toward social justice ends. Upon graduation, candidates will be prepared in crucial areas such as ethical and moral leadership, school governance, school law, curriculum, instruction and assessment, school finance, and other practices related to leadership of schools.
The Educational Leadership graduate program meets all state, national, and professional standards. The program also exceeds them by establishing a deep understanding of what it takes to be a critical transformative leader for social justice in turbulent times. This graduate program is fully approved by the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board and the Illinois State Board of Education.
100% ONLINE
For added convenience, we offer this program in a flexible online format.
Internships can be completed in your own setting without the loss of work time.
TUITION DISCOUNTS AND SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS
Lewis University is proud to offer discounts on tuition through its partnership programs. We have a number of partnerships with public and private school districts.
Visit the Financial Aid for Educational Studies page for more information on education scholarships.
Sample Courses
- Critical Issues in School Law for Educational Leaders
- Ethical and Moral Foundations of Educational Leadership
- Organizational Systems in Educational Leadership
- Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment for School Improvement
- Supervision for Professional Development
- Critical Transformative Leadership
- School Finance
Admission Requirements
A maximum of 6 credit hours may be accepted for transfer from a regionally-accredited institution, earned within the last 5 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 NELP standards.
- Professional Educator License (PEL)
- Fulfillment of House Bill 150 (Survey of Exceptional Children and Adolescents or Exceptional Learners in Inclusive Communities)
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) for the final 60 credit hours completed
- Official college transcripts from all institutions previously attended
- Four years successful teaching experience
- Submission of graduate application
- Two completed College of Education and Social Sciences recommendation forms
- Meet with the appropriate Department Chair or Program Director for a personal interview to discuss educational goals
Please refer to the Office of Admissions for application requirements and specific next steps.
Principal Preparation (Endorsement Only)
Discover how you can impact the educational world for the better in a leadership role. Designed for educators interested in a principal, assistant principal, or leadership position and already have a Master’s degree. While the coursework meets all state, national, and professional standards, the program exceeds them by establishing a deep understanding of what it takes to be a critical, transformative leader for social justice in these turbulent times.
The program is 27 credit hours and will take approximately 18 months to 2 years to complete. Classes meet online. Prerequisites for this program, you must possess:
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field
- Professional Educator License
- Four or more years of successful teaching or school support personnel experience
- Fulfillment of House Bill 150 (Survey of Exceptional Children and Adolescents or Exceptional Leaners in Inclusive Communities)
- Interview with the Principal Preparation team
Visit the catalog page to learn more about this program and the list of required courses.
Director of Special Education Endorsement Option
Candidates who have an administrative endorsement on their Professional Educator License and coursework in special education may elect to complete additional coursework leading to Illinois State Board of Education approval for the Director of Special Education Endorsement via individual transcript evaluation. Candidates who apply for the Endorsement will work with Lewis University’s Licensure Officer to review all transcripts to determine what additional coursework is needed to fulfill ISBE requirements. Courses for the Special Education Director may include but are not limited to the following:
EDLD-58100 Supervision and Administration of Special Education (3)
EDLD-57000 Special Education Finance (1)
SPED-56600 Special Education Law (1)