Master of Education (MEd) in Teacher Leadership
The context for teachers has changed in the past 10 to 15 years – not only in Washington state, but also in our nation and beyond. Taking up where the previous Curriculum and Instruction program left off, the new Master of Education in Teacher Leadership degree program leverages current scholarship and the latest teacher leadership standards to help you analyze and improve instructional techniques at both the classroom and school levels.
Who Should Pursue This Degree
This new program will equip you to assume a variety of roles in education: from early career mentor or instructional coach, to department chair, staff development leader, assessment coordinator, and curriculum coordinator.
Graduates are eligible for admission into the Principal Certification or Program Administrator Certification programs and will carry forward educational administration credits toward these certification programs.
Benefits
A master's degree qualifies you for salary increases and provides a sizeable financial advantage over the course of a long-term teaching career. But of course you have many more reasons to consider this program:
- Building your career. The Teacher Leadership program offers up-to-date educational theory, research, and professional practices. Curriculum is aligned with standards-based competencies outlined by the ProTeach Certificate (Professional Educator Standards Board) and linked to the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards. This program is also connected to the Learning Sciences Marzano Center.
- Advanced leadership preparation. Upon graduation, you will have taken three of the seven classes required for Principal or Program Administrator Certification. The other four courses, plus a 9-credit internship, can then be scheduled within one calendar year.
- Flexible, hybrid delivery. The program combines online and face-to-face classes on campus. The online program's user-friendly system enables you to interact with students and faculty through discussions, group work, and individual assignments. Six elective credits are also included, allowing you to focus on areas of special interest.
- Cohort advantages. Candidates for the 2014 SPU cohort will begin courses in Summer Quarter. The application deadline is May 15, 2014.
- Distinguished faculty. Courses are typically taught by full-time faculty with doctorates and extensive work experience in K-12 education. As leaders in their field, they regularly conduct research in classroom and school settings, make presentations at professional conferences, serve as consultants or on boards and state committees, lead various professional organizations, and publish numerous journal articles and books.
- Fully accredited. SPU holds the highest accreditations for its School of Education, including NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education), WSBOE (Washington State Board of Education), and NWCCU (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities).
- Affordable. Tuition is comparable to other area institutions, and financial aid is available through a federally insured student loan program. A limited number of non-teaching graduate assistantships are also available.
- District Partnership Discounts. SPU is actively building partnerships with local school districts for delivery of the Teacher Leadership program at the district level. Upon approval, tuition will be reduced with at least 10 of the district's teachers are admitted into the program as a cohort. To inquire about a Teacher Leadership cohort for your district, contact Tracy Williams at williamst@spu.edu or 206-281-2293.
Program Outline
The program outline includes a description of program components. Official degree requirements for this graduate program are stated in the SPU Graduate Catalog in effect when you are accepted into this program.
Admission Information
The official admissions requirements for this graduate program are stated in the SPU Graduate Catalog in effect when you apply to this program. Or learn more about admission requirements and procedures online.
SPU Teachers on Teacher Leadership
Recently, five alumnae of Seattle Pacific University’s School of Education discussed what it means to be a teacher leader in today’s school environment. Watch this video to see how their SPU graduate programs gave them the confidence to make a difference in their schools.
What Happened to the MEd in Curriculum and Instruction?
As of Summer 2013, the Master of Education (MEd) in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) program at SPU’s School of Education has been discontinued and is no longer admitting new students.
In its place is a new Master of Education (MEd) in Teacher Leadership degree program. Current C&I students are encouraged to transfer into the new program, but will be allowed to finish the C&I degree if they so choose.
