educational leadership

Educational Leadership (M.S., Certificate)

Graduate
  • Online
  • Certificate
  • Master's

About this Program

The educational leadership programs apply principles and theory directly to today's K-12 school settings.

Program Overview

Tuition & Fees 
Funding Opportunities
Download Educational Leadership Brochure

Online Learning

Classes are fully online and are taught by proven public school administrators who speak the language of 21st century education. They know how to motivate staff and students, and connect with families through a shared vision. The result is instruction firmly grounded in sound, practical knowledge.

Internship

Hood’s unique school-based internship offers an authentic, real-world leadership opportunity before graduation. Under the mentorship of a working principal, students participate in scheduling and staffing decisions, conduct action research, mentor a teacher and generally immerse themselves in the culture and challenges of the school year.

Two Tracks, Top Results

The completion of the courses in both the master’s program and the certificate program permits students to earn the State of Maryland Administrator I license, which enables a student to apply for school-based assistant principal and central office supervisor positions. When students earn their master’s degree or their certificate, and then take and pass the Educational Testing Service (ETS) School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), they will qualify for the State of Maryland Administrator II license that enables a candidate to apply for school-based principal positions and central office director and above positions. All courses are offered fully online.

Please note the Educational Leadership master's and certificate programs are not open to F1 students.

NC Sara
Hood College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Degrees Offered

  • MS

Related Graduate Programs

Program Requirements and Course Listings

To apply for the educational leadership master’s or certificate programs, a candidate must complete the online application, which includes:

  • One official transcript for the institution where the highest degree was conferred
  • A copy of the Maryland Educator’s Certificate issued by the Maryland State Department of Education
  • A letter of recommendation for the current principal or supervisor

Once the application is complete, the program director will contact the candidate to set up a virtual interview. 

Note: Applicants for the partnership program with Montgomery County Public Schools are required to have completed three years of tenure with MCPS to be eligible for the in-county cohort program.

The Graduate School offers rolling admission, and applicants are eligible to apply during our Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Click here to find our application deadlines.

Transfer credit policy for admitted students

Students may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credits from an external, accredited institution, or another Hood graduate program prior to the first semester of study in the current program. Please review the full graduate transfer credit policy in the College catalog.

Candidates for the master’s degree must complete the following courses. Candidates should follow the sequence of the courses as listed as much as possible. 

EDUC 502Technology for Literacy,Leadership & Learning3.0
EDUC 577Introduction to Educational Research3.0
EDUC 581Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment3.0
EDUC 582Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society3.0
EDUC 513School Law3.0
EDUC 514Administration of Student Services3.0
EDUC 578Educational Leadership and Group Dynamics3.0
EDUC 583Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal3.0
EDUC 584Systemic Change Processes for School Improvement3.0
EDUC 586Principles of Educational Supervision3.0
EDUC 589School Business & Personnel Administration3.0
EDUC 587AAdministrative Internship (fall)1.5
 and 
EDUC 587BAdministrative Internship (spring)1.5
 

Program Completion

Students who complete the coursework for the master’s degree and who maintain a 3.0 GPA are eligible for the State of Maryland Administrator I license. Students who take and pass the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) are eligible for the State of Maryland Administrator II license.

Program Follow Up

After finishing either program, students will complete the following activities:

  1. Assessment of Dispositions and Program Exit Survey at the end of the yearlong internship.
  2. Program survey one year after program completion.

Students enrolled in this certificate must have a master's degree in a related education field and must complete 18 credit hours in the following  required courses. Completion of the coursework enables a student to qualify for the State of Maryland Administrator I license. Students who successfully complete the coursework and who take and pass the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment may qualify for the State of Maryland Administrator II license. Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to transfer in any credits.

EDUC 513School Law3.0
EDUC 583Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal3.0
EDUC 584Systemic Change Processes for School Improvement3.0
EDUC 586Principles of Educational Supervision3.0
EDUC 589School Business & Personnel Administration3.0
EDUC 587AAdministrative Internship (fall)1.5
 and 
EDUC 587BAdministrative Internship (spring)1.5

Program Contact

Daniel Shea

Program Director

Phone
301-696-3766
Tanith Fowler Corsi

Director of Graduate Admission

Phone
Office: 301-696-3603

Fast Fact

Educational leadership involves working with and guiding teachers toward improving educational processes.

All Faculty
Daniel Shea

Daniel Shea

  • Visiting Instructor of Education
  • Program Director, Master's in Educational Leadership
Johnathan Dunn

Graduate Alumni Spotlight | Johnathan Dunn

Johnathan Dunn, M.S. Educational Leadership Alumni Graduate School Graduate Student

"The M.S. in educational leadership program has equipped me with the tools necessary to lead and serve school-based staff and students. In addition, I also learned how to navigate those challenging conversations that can frequently emerge between parents and students."

  • Academics
  • Education
Frank Vetter and Shabana Sayed

Graduate Faculty and Student Focus | Frank Vetter and Shabana Sayed

Frank Vetter, Adjunct professor of Educational Leadership and Shabana Sayed, M.S. Educational Leadership Faculty Graduate School Graduate Student

"Attending Hood College has helped me to connect and collaborate with other FCPS educators across the county. I believe that my time at Hood will help me in my career because of the connections I have been able to make with FCPS leaders and administrators."

  • Academics
  • Experiential Learning
  • Education