Educational Administration - P-12 School Leadership Master of Education (M.Ed.)
New applicants to our P-12 School Leadership programs should look into our Big Red Leader tuition remission program as they might be eligible for a 15% tuition discount.
Program Length
2 years
Credits
36
Format
Hybrid
GRE/Entrance Exam
Not Required
Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders
The challenges for school leaders have never been greater. No longer are principals expected to simply manage budgets and student behavior. Today’s building-level leaders are at the forefront of school leadership and everything that comes with it, from improving instruction and student learning, to providing optimal learning environments for teachers, students, and staff, and ensuring a safe, welcoming culture and climate for all. For us, the principal is the decisive element in the building.
The Nebraska Difference
That is why we have built a program focused on standards, supported by research, and founded on relationships. Our program is aligned with the National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards (NELP) as well as the Nebraska Teacher and Principal Performance Standards (NTPPS). But we didn’t stop there. Our faculty have used research and practical experience to identify three core competencies we seek to develop in future school leaders. We call it The Nebraska Difference.
Learning the research interests and expertise areas of potential faculty advisors, particularly at the doctoral level, is an important consideration for prospective students. We encourage prospective applicants to learn about faculty advisors via the links below and through the “Meet our Team” link on the “About EDAD” tab.” Based on capacity, the following faculty members serve as advisors in this program:
Our Unique Program
Award-Winning Faculty
- Students learn from faculty who conduct and share leading research on authentic school leadership challenges. These scholars are devoted their careers to teaching, researching, discovering, and sharing what works in school leadership.
- Students also learn from faculty with decades of real world experience as school leaders. These leaders have walked the walk of school leadership as principals, superintendents, and more.
Individual Attention & Hands-On Learning
- Students identify and utilize their unique Strengths, according to the Gallup StrengthsFinder, and have access to a Certified Strengths Coach.
- Students complete an authentic internship experience in their districts with support from a field-based mentor and faculty member.
Accessible Courses
- Students form meaningful relationships with classmates, faculty, and others through a unique combination of face-to-face and online courses.
Extra Opportunities
Learning Opportunities
- As a rising leader in the UNL program, you’re connected to unique resources to enhance your skills and perspective, including:
- The opportunity to learn from scholars and practitioners from across the nation at the Women in Educational Leadership Conference in Lincoln—an event we’ve hosted for more than 30 years;
- Cost-free attendance the Sybouts Student Research Symposium;
- Full access to our award-winning Student Success Center, which offers a wide array of online resources for success in graduate education at a distance;
- Many no-cost, extra learning opportunities available through the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)
Access to Leading Authorities
- Students learn from leading authorities who share well-established expertise on particular topics, such as instructional leadership, school culture and climate, technology, grading and assessment, curriculum, and other key topics.
Launching Your Journey
Program Curriculum
The program is designed to be completed in two years and features an authentic, field-based internship. It begins with two courses in the summer delivered in a hybrid (face to face and online) format. Students meet in Lincoln for two days in June, two days in July and culminate with students presenting research of an authentic problem of practice during Nebraska Administrator Days in Kearney. Attendance is mandatory during the summer. Students come together in the same format for the last course (Principal Internship). Other courses in the program are offered in an online format.
Upon completion of courses, students are prepared to take the state-required PRAXIS exam and upon passage, apply for Nebraska administrative endorsement.
The heart of school leadership today is leading instruction and addressing authentic challenges. Your UNL journey begins with this in mind.
- EDAD 800: Foundations of Research A written report is required. Investigation and analysis of current problems in education administration and supervision.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 830: Administrative Theory in Educational Organizations Introduction to classic and contemporary administrative theory as applied to educational organizations. The theoretical nature of the course content is relevant to those with an interest in a broad variety of educational institutions. General organizational theory, organizational models, historical schools of administrative theory, authority, power, motivation, and leadership. Frequently students are involved in studying problems of practice as a means of testing theory.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 852: School Culture and Behavior School culture and student behavior in P-12 schools. Personalized teaching and learning environments that address student diversity, needs and interests.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 890 The P-12 school principalship reflects an dynamic and evolving educational role in American society. This course examines the evolution and present roles principals must play to promote success for school communities and the future of building level leaders through the lenses of the EDAD Core Competencies and the Nebraska Department of Education's NTPPS (Principal Appraisal Standards).
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 833: Educational Finance Critical analysis of the political and economic elements impacting K-12 school finance. Content and activities address both building and district level concerns with an emphasis on principles, programs, and trends in school finance.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 903: Issues in Community Relations Principles of community relations and public relations; development of school and community understanding; collaboration of educators and community agents and agencies; communication tools and evaluation.
- Credit Hours: 3
- SPED 856/857: Supervising Special Education/Special Education Administration For principals or other administrators who have special education programs in their buildings. Overview of disabilities, related law, special education programs, personnel issues, etc., and instructional methods and administrative support for effective integration of disabled students into regular programs.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 851: Faculty and Staff Appraisal Faculty and support staff in P-12 schools: appraisal, professional learning communities, high standards/high performance and accountability.
- Credit Hours: 3
- TEAC 948: Instructional Leadership: Emerging Trends and Practices Changing roles for persons engaged in instructional and curricular leadership in educational institutions. Literature on staff development, assessment and evaluation, and effective schools serve as the basis for studying and applying this information to a variety of educational settings. Issues such as teacher empowerment and site-based management, along with cooperative learning provide the focus of the activities.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 811: Internship May be repeated for credit. Rating and supervision of teachers; principles and procedures in the development of school policies; selection and promotion of teachers; courses of study and professional ethics.
- Credit Hours: 3
- EDAD 920: Diversity & Equity in Educational Organizations Understanding the individual and organizational issues of diversity and multiculturalism in P-20 schools. Increase the students' knowledge and appreciation of: cultural, social, political, and economic realities of our complex, pluralistic society in relation to our educational system. Through the integration of relevant information from history, law, interpersonal development, organizational development, and philosophy, students will develop a complex, comprehensive understanding of diversity and equity.
- Credit Hours: 3