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
National Board Certification Prep Program
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.
NBC Certification
The Educational Leadership program accepts the National Board Certification (NBC) process, the certificate after completion, to transfer in credits for EDUC 581 and EDUC 583.
Please note the Educational Leadership master's and certificate programs are not open to F1 students.
Hood College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
Degrees Offered
- MS
Related Graduate Programs
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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 502 | Technology for Literacy,Leadership & Learning | 3.0 |
| EDUC 577 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3.0 |
| EDUC 581 | Research-Based Teaching,Learning & Assessment | 3.0 |
| EDUC 582 | Educational Philosophy in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
| EDUC 513 | School Law | 3.0 |
| EDUC 514 | Administration of Student Services | 3.0 |
| EDUC 578 | Educational Leadership and Group Dynamics | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| EDUC 584 | Systemic Change Processes for School Improvement | 3.0 |
| EDUC 586 | Principles of Educational Supervision | 3.0 |
| EDUC 589 | School Business & Personnel Administration | 3.0 |
| EDUC 587A | Administrative Internship (fall) | 1.5 |
| and | ||
| EDUC 587B | Administrative 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:
- Assessment of Dispositions and Program Exit Survey at the end of the yearlong internship.
- 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 513 | School Law | 3.0 |
| EDUC 583 | Principles of Curriculum Development & Appraisal | 3.0 |
| EDUC 584 | Systemic Change Processes for School Improvement | 3.0 |
| EDUC 586 | Principles of Educational Supervision | 3.0 |
| EDUC 589 | School Business & Personnel Administration | 3.0 |
| EDUC 587A | Administrative Internship (fall) | 1.5 |
| and | ||
| EDUC 587B | Administrative Internship (spring) | 1.5 |
36-48 Months
Average Completion Time
36 Total Credits
Program Contact
Program Director
Phone
301-696-3766
Email
Director of Graduate Admission
Phone
Office: 301-696-3603
Email
Daniel Shea
- Visiting Instructor of Education
- Program Director, Master's in Educational Leadership
Graduate Alumni Spotlight | Johnathan Dunn
"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."
Graduate Faculty and Student Focus | Frank Vetter and Shabana Sayed
"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."