Home >>
Educational Leadership: Online Master’s Degree
Degree details
The 33-hour master of education degree with an emphasis in learning and instruction was designed and intended for practicing teachers who have completed undergraduate teacher education programs and wish to pursue a master's degree online. This program is composed of 15-hour focus in educational leadership and 18 hours of core courses. Completion of the degree leads to Missouri Initial Principal Certification at either the Elementary or Secondary Level.
Focus courses (15 hours)
The content of the focus courses includes the study of organizational leadership, school culture, professional development and school improvement. These courses are web-assisted with a combination of online course work and in-class meetings.
Core master's course work
The 18 hours of core course work in this program include study in learning theory, instructional technology, instructional leadership, instructional strategies, and measurement and assessment. These courses are designed to enhance the process of teaching and learning in the elementary, middle or high school classroom.
All core courses:
- Are online, accessible through the Internet from any computer with an Internet connection
- Include the same types of experiences as in-class courses (including instructor and peer interactions, research, projects and readings).
Terminal or comprehensive project
M.Ed. candidates shall complete an electronic portfolio as the program's capstone project as opposed to completing a manuscript. The candidate must be enrolled at the University during the semester in which a master's project is presented or completed.
All ELPA master's students must enroll in 8413 (Action Research Internship) the first semester after they have been admitted into the program. The responsibilities related to that course must be completed throughout the duration of the program of study. The final grade for the 8413 course is given when the student completes the master's program, the action research internship and their "program portfolio." The portfolio is the comprehensive exam and is a requirement for program completion and administrator certification.
Students seeking administrator certification following completion of their master's program must also register for and complete the Missouri administrator certification assessment process. More information on that assessment may be obtained from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and/or your academic advisor.
It generally takes five or six semesters to finish the 33-hour program when enrolling in six hours each semester.
Students may start the program as either post-baccalaureate (formerly non-degree-seeking) or degree-seeking.