Educational Leadership

Students will take five additional courses specific to their concentration. Available concentrations are higher education and student affairs, literacy and PK-12 leadership.

The Educational Leadership program upholds UD's Marianist tradition of educating the whole person and leading through service to others.

Through a balanced instructional approach that integrates both learning and practical application, we prepare students to become leaders in their communities by developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and values essential to helping others expand or refine their instructional effectiveness. Over the course of the program, you will develop the critical thinking skills you need to serve in public, private and parochial education; non-profit; or other learning organizations.

All students complete five foundational courses as part of the core curriculum:

• EDA 505: Educational Leadership
• EDA 507: Internship
• EDA 551: Research
• EDA 555: Community Relations
• EDA 556: Leadership in Diverse Communities

Higher Education and Student Affairs

The concentration in Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) prepares you for a variety of academic and student affairs positions in higher education or similar adult learning-focused organizations. Our graduates go on to a variety of roles in career and academic advising, training and development, and college student services. The concentration courses focus on integrating theory and practice as you learn about foundational perspectives of the profession, student development, environments and cultures and learning design.

Courses include:

• EDC 540: Perspectives in Higher Education
• EDC 550: Student Development's Role in Learning
• EDC 557: Learning in Community
• EDC 562: Learning Design
• EDC 658: Fieldwork in Higher Education and Student Affairs

Literacy

This combined concentration offers advanced study in literacy education and includes all requirements needed for an Ohio-issued reading endorsement. It prepares educators to address the needs of diverse learners and improve literacy outcomes in various educational contexts. This concentration is ideal for those seeking to support literacy development.

Courses include:

• EDT 605 Advanced Study in Reading/Language Arts
• EDT 606 Assessment and Evaluation of Reading Difficulties
• EDT 607 Practicum in Reading Intervention Techniques
• EDT 608 The Writing Classroom
• EDT 609 Issues, Trends, and Research in Reading

Students will also have the option to add a graduate-level TESOL certificate (two additional courses) or a dyslexia certificate (two additional courses) to their degree coursework. All certificates are also available independent of the master's degree; please contact us for a transcript audit to determine how many courses you'd need for a standalone certificate (and which ones might be applied to the master's degree in literacy if you decide down the road to pursue it!).

PK-12 Leadership

This program is suited for students looking to advance their careers by serving in administrative roles and leadership positions in educational settings and amongst their peers. This particular program can be completed in a little over two years. Previous educational experience is preferred but not required.

Program Overview:

• 30 credits
• One 200-hour internship
• As little as 21 months (five semesters) when attending full-time

Students who want to pursue principal licensure are invited to add the certificate in principal preparation to their master's degree. The certificate adds 12 credits to the program and includes additional coursework to equip students for administrative roles such as principal or assistant principal. It can be completed in seven semesters. Students must hold a valid teaching license. It is also required that you have taught for at least two years at the grade levels for which you are licensed.

Designed for current and aspiring educators and administrators in PK-12 settings, this concentration focuses on developing the skills needed for effective school leadership. Coursework emphasizes organizational management, educational policy, and fostering equity and community engagement in schools. Graduates are prepared to take on roles such as principals, assistant principals, and instructional leaders.

Courses include:

• EDA 510 Instructional Leadership
• EDA 511 Curriculum
• EDA 515 School Law
• EDA 557 School Finance
• EDA 509 Supervision and Professional Development

This program is offered in flex format and online with three available concentrations.

With the same curriculum and faculty as our on-campus format, the online program upholds our Marianist tradition of educating the whole person and leading through service to others.

Our online learning platform enables you to seamlessly connect and collaborate with University of Dayton faculty and classmates, without having to commute to campus. The online MSE program features:

• Live weekly classes, bringing you face-to-face with professors and classmates to develop lasting relationships
• Interactive coursework that can be accessed 24/7, including video lectures and case studies
• Field experiences in your local community, so you can apply what you’ve learned to the real world.

Visit the Catalog to view additional details about educational leadership, including degree requirements, course descriptions and a sample plan of study.

Internship and Practicum

Graduate students studying educational leadership participate in internships and practicums, where they gain real-world experience tailored to their chosen concentration.

The University of Dayton's Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) in Educational Leadership online program, with an optional path to principal licensure, offers class start dates three times per year: in January, May and September.

Early application is strongly recommended, and the sooner you apply, the earlier you will receive an admissions decision. If you apply by the priority deadline, you will receive an application fee waiver. Contact your admission counselor prior to submitting your application, to find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver.

Application Requirements

If you are looking to grow as an educational leader, share ideas and experiences, and learn from others, then we’re looking for you. Ideal candidates are committed to the field of education, literacy or higher education leadership and thrive in collaborative learning environments.

To be eligible to apply to the MSE in Educational Leadership online program, you must:

• Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Have a strong academic record.
• If applying to the PK-12 Educational Leadership concentration with the optional principal licensure, you must provide proof of a standard or professional teaching license or professional pupil personnel services license.
• No teaching license is required for the Literacy or Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) concentrations. A teaching license is required to add the Ohio K-12 Reading Endorsement upon completion of the coursework.

Application Submission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MSE in Educational Leadership program, applicants must submit the following items:

• Online application.
• Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV).
• Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic).
• Personal statement.
• $50 application fee if applying after the priority deadline.
• Valid teaching license if applying to the optional principal licensure program.
• If applying to the optional principal licensure program, a Work Verification Form must be completed and returned by the school district superintendent, human resources director, or charter or private school administrator of the school or district. Form is sent to the applicant following submission of the application.
• Official academic records of all previously attended colleges or universities sent directly from the colleges or universities to the Office of Graduate Admission Processing.

International Students

Additional requirements apply for international students.

Application Links

Please use the application link for the concentration you want to pursue. Please contact us at edadmin@udayton.edu if you have questions.

• Higher Education and Student Affairs
• K-12 Leadership
• Literacy

Additional Educational Administration Programs

• Educational Leadership (Ed.S.)
• Educational Leadership (Ph.D.)
• Leadership for Organizations (Ed.D.)
• Applied Social Science Research Methods (Graduate Certificate)
• Principal Preparation (Graduate Certificate)
• Superintendent Preparation (Graduate Certificate)

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success.

Financial aid may be available for degree-seeking graduate students, file the FAFSA to be considered. Once you have applied and been accepted to a graduate program, we will prepare your applicable aid for the upcoming year.