Master's Degree in Educational Leadership

Three Master's concentrations are offered: School Leadership toward Administrative Licensure Instructional Leadership Leadership for Community and Organizational Learning Application Deadlines: Spring semester       October 1 Fall semester             June 1 Summer session       February 1

All graduate students are required to work under the supervision of an assigned advisor and to develop and follow a planned Program of Study composed of required courses and, where appropriate, additional courses selected with the approval of the advisor and/or the Program of Study Committee.  Courses taken without prior approval may not be accepted toward the completion of the degree. Students in all programs must maintain a 3.3 cumulative GPA in all Program of Study coursework.

Policy on Employment/Load

Faculty and graduates have found that students who give themselves time to concentrate and reflect on their academic studies during their brief time at the University not only achieve academic excellence but excel later in their professional careers.  Therefore, the faculty of the Educational Leadership Program strongly recommends that students who are employed full time enroll in nine or fewer hours of course work fall and spring semesters in order to optimize their educational experience.  Students will not be allowed to enroll in more than nine hours during the fall and spring semesters without prior approval. 

Degrees Offered

The degree and certificate programs in Educational Leadership are designed to prepare individuals to assume leadership positions in complex educational organizations at successively higher levels of responsibility.  All rely heavily on concepts drawn from the social sciences for insight into leadership behavior and are premised on 5 Core Domains:

• Strategic Leadership
• Organizational Leadership
• Leadership for Learning and Professional Development
• Community & Political Leadership
• Informed Leadership

Note: The State Public Education Department, not UNM, awards administrative licensure.  Students seeking licensure must meet all UNM requirements in order to be eligible to apply for state licensure through our programs. 

The Educational Leadership Program provides a variety of career pathways for students pursuing licensure; contact the Program Office for information and advisement.

Educational Leadership: M.A., Ed.S., Internship and Practicum

All applicants for admission into the M.A. program in Educational Leadership must meet the requirements set forth in the College section of the UNM catalog and in the sections on graduate studies at the University of New Mexico.  The M.A. in Educational Leadership can be pursued through one of three concentrations, each of which requires 15 hours in the Core Domains, as described below.  In addition to University requirements for graduation, students must successfully complete a leadership project and exit assessment.

School Leadership toward Administrative Licensure Concentration
Intended for future school building leaders, this concentration provides a set of standards-based core courses aligned with state administrative competencies.  Applicants must hold a valid Level II or Level III New Mexico teaching license. Beginning with applicants admitted in summer 2008, students must hold a Level III teaching license at the time they intend to participate in the internship.  Students with a Level II license may complete the M.A. Concentration and subsequently enroll in an Ed.S. Internship Experience option, to complete state licensure requirements.

Note: Administrative internships follow a fall-spring sequence.

EDLEAD courses, including either
6 hours of LEAD 596 Administrative Internship, plus one 3cr LEAD
course for those holding a Level III teaching license 
-OR-
3 hours of LEAD 594: Practicum for those entering in or after  
summer 2008 for those holding a Level II teaching license,
plus two 3 cr LEAD courses

Instructional Leadership Concentration
This concentration is intended for educators desirous of career paths that focus on leadership for curricular and instructional improvement: curriculum directors, instructional coaches, or program coordinators, for example.

                                                          
LEAD coursework, including                                       
6 hours of LEAD 594, plus one 3 cr LEAD Course

Leadership for Community and Organizational Learning Concentration
Educators who want to pursue leadership positions outside of a pk-12 venue, such as higher educational institutions and community groups, can enroll in this program concentration, designed to prepare individuals for visionary leadership that transforms educationally-oriented organizations into dynamic learning environments for all. 

                                                                
LEAD courses, including                                      
6 hours of LEAD 594, plus one 3 cr LEAD Course