Educational Leadership (M.S., Certificate)

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. 

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.
    

Real-Time Online Learning
Classes are held live via video conference, fostering collaboration, dialogue, and peer relationships that often extend into professional networks.

Flexible Program Structure
Students can follow a consistent schedule or take breaks between semesters. With a seven-year window for completion, the program adapts to individual professional and personal needs.

Faculty Mentorship
All instructors are seasoned administrators—superintendents, principals, and central office leaders—who provide academic support and real-world mentorship.

Graduate Support Services
Students have access to academic and writing support through Hood’s Graduate School, ensuring success beyond the virtual classroom.

Graduates of the Educational Leadership program will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of educational leadership foundations, including curriculum development, instructional supervision, and school law

• Apply leadership theory to real-world school and district settings

• Effectively manage school operations, personnel, and community relationships

• Understand the responsibilities of school leaders as advocates, decision-makers, and instructional leaders

• Fulfill the requirements for Administrator I licensure in Maryland

• Advance into leadership roles, including assistant principal, principal, and central office administrator

• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to promote school improvement and equity 

  
  Graduates of the Educational Leadership program are prepared for:

• Assistant Principal

• Principal

• Central Office Administrator

• Curriculum Supervisor

• Instructional Leader

• District Director of Teaching and Learning

• Dean or Department Chair in P–12 settings

  Leadership opportunities span public, private, charter, and parochial school systems. The MSDE Administrator I license ensures eligibility for leadership advancement throughout Maryland and is widely recognized by neighboring states.