Master's in Teacher Leadership (MEd) | Seattle Pacific University

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Master's in Teacher Leadership (MEd)

Shape the future. Change the world

NOW FULLY ONLINE, SPU’s MEd in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership bolsters your leadership qualities so that you can serve as a classroom or school leader, helping to influence the curriculum and make the changes that can impact the quality of education. Let’s get started.

At a Glance

Upcoming Application Deadline 8/15/2021 for Autumn Quarter
Accreditation
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Expected Time to Completion 24 months
Format
Designed for working professionals, this program offers a fully online option and district-based cohorts.
Credits to Graduate 45
Cost
$1,000 scholarship available! More info

Program Overview

The School of Education Difference

Seattle Pacific was founded more than 125 years ago, and the University has been preparing some of the most sought-after educators in the region for more than 90 years. Today, entrance to School of Education graduate programs is highly competitive. Faculty members – each teaching his or her own courses and each holding a doctorate – have worked to develop rigorous programs of quality.

The School of Education at Seattle Pacific University offers more than a dozen graduate programs. You can choose from three doctoral programs, seven master’s degree programs, and five certification programs, all of which focus on developing competence, character, leadership, and service in educators. While many students train to become teachers, others prepare for roles as school counselors, principals, superintendents, district office personnel, or professors in higher education. SPU's reputation in P–12 education in Washington and across the country is strong, and students who complete our graduate degree and certificate programs enjoy a higher rate of employment than the state's average.

Why Seattle Pacific for your MEd in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership?

The Master of Education (MEd) degree in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership prepares individuals to serve as teacher leaders. This 45-credit program also offers a built-in program option for a pathway to principal certification. MEd in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership graduates have advanced to become mentor teachers, instructional coaches, and more, while others take on roles within their district to support improving learning for students and teachers. Choose between a fully online option, or a flexible, hybrid delivery that combines online courses and face-to-face classes in a district-based cohort near you.

Accomplished Faculty
Expert, caring faculty have a desire to help students succeed. Faculty are known for mentoring their students during and following their educational programs. These professors model lifelong learning through scholarly activities of their own, publishing frequently, and presenting at professional conferences.
AACU Membership
Seattle Pacific is a member of the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) and of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. SPU certification programs are approved by the Washington state Professional Educator Standards Board. The School of Education is also a member of the Association of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges for Teacher Education, and has a chapter, Sigma Phi Upsilon, of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling.
Deep Character Emphasis
Built on an character education foundation, the graduate programs at SPU offer first-class education through the lens of Christian faith and values. Students take ethics courses, and character issues are integrated throughout the curriculum.
Flexible Format
Designed for full-time working educators, courses are offered online via an aynchronous meeting platform, and in a hybrid format for district cohort members.
Connected Alumni
School of Education graduates move on to purposeful careers in schools and district-level leadership throughout the country. When you obtain a graduate degree from SPU’s School of Education, you join a community of alumni who stay connected.

Related Master’s Programs

Curriculum

You can complete this degree in two years. In addition to required coursework, you will also need to create a portfolio and pass a comprehensive examination.

Program Components

General course listing

Foundations and Research (12 credits)

EDU 6085 Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3)
EDU 6600 Communication and Collaboration (3)
EDU 6979 Action Research in School Settings (3)
EDU 6980 Applying Research in School Settings (3)

Teacher Leadership Focus (15 credits)

EDU 6528 Accomplished Teaching (3)
EDU 6525 Culturally Responsive Teaching (3)
EDAD 6580 Leadership in Education (3)
EDAD 6589 Engaging Communities (3)
EDU 6990 Teacher Leadership Capstone (3)

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Focus (12 credits)

EDU 6524 Curriculum Design (3)
EDU 6526 Survey of Instructional Strategies (3)
EDU 6613 Standards-Based Assessment (3)
EDTC 6433 Teaching with Technology (3)

Elective options (6 credits)

EDU 6120 American Education: Past and Present (3)
Any 6000-level EDAD course (3)
Any 6000-level EDRD course (3)
Any 6000-level EDSP course (3)
Any 6000-level EDTC course (3)
Any applicable continuing education credits as approved by program chair

Total required credits for degree: 45

Comprehensive exam and electronic portfolio

Students will take a comprehensive exam to complete the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership program. The comprehensive exam includes three randomly selected questions from the 12 program standards. In addition, students will put together an electronic portfolio including artifacts which are aligned to each of the 12 Teacher Leadership standards. Both the comprehensive exam and the portfolio are evaluated based on coverage of content, examples and illustrations, reference to authorities and research, organization of responses, logic and coherence, and vocabulary and expression.

Online and cohort information

Teachers are increasingly looking at fully online graduate degree programs that align with their need for flexible learning. Many teachers are interested in progressing through the MEd in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership program, yet opt for an online program because of the ease of access and flexibility. Earning a graduate degree also means higher placement on the salary schedule, resulting in an additional $4,000 of yearly pay.

The MEd in Teaching, Learning, Leadership program is a 45-credit program that aligns with three major areas of experiences:

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Teacher Leadership
Foundations and Research

33 of the credits will include courses within these three areas, while 12 credits will be an emphasis that needs to align with one or more of these areas, but will encourage coursework within teaching leadership.

The Master of Education in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership is designed to help teachers strengthen instructional skills while developing leadership abilities for such roles as peer coach, mentor, department chair, staff development leader, or curriculum coordinator.

Sample course checklist with Teaching, Learning, and Leadership Emphasis

Electives (12 credits required)

All courses will be offered online, via asynchronous or synchronous.

Electives will be chosen based on emphasis selected. Recommended Teaching Learning, and Leadership Emphasis electives already included in course sequence below.

Options include:

Any 6000-level EDU course (3)
Any 6000-level EDAD course (3)
Any 6000-level EDRD course (3)
Any 6000-level EDSP course (3)
Any 6000-level EDTC course (3)

Required Foundations Course

EDU 6085 Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3) (required; choose to take at any time)

Autumn I
- EDU 6528 Accomplished Teaching (3 credits)
- EDTC 6433 Teaching with Technology (3 credits)
Winter I
- EDU 6979 Action Research in School Settings (3 credits)
- EDU 6525 Culturally Responsive Teaching (3 credits)
Spring I
- elective EDAD 6589 Engaging Communities (3 credits) *recommended elective for TL emphasis
- EDU 6526 Survey of Instructional Strategies (3 credits)
Summer I
- EDU 6524 Curriculum Design (3)
- EDU 6613 Standards-based Assessment (3 credits)
Autumn II
- elective EDAD 6580 Leadership in Education (3 credits) *recommended elective for TL emphasis
- EDU 6600 Communication and Collaboration (3 credits)
Winter II
- EDU 6980 Applying Research in School Settings (3 credits)
- elective (3 credits) (*teacher leadership emphasis recommended)
Spring II
- EDU 6990 Teacher Leadership Capstone (3)
- Comprehensive Exam

Principal Certification Pathway

Upon graduation, you will have completed three of the seven classes required for Principal or Program Administrator Certification. The remaining four courses, plus a 9-credit internship, can be completed within one calendar year. You may also have the option of substituting more principal certification courses if interested.

ARCSE Pathway

This option is for students who want to earn a master’s degree by merging ARCSE program requirements with select coursework and requirements from the Teaching, Learning, and Leadership program. Providing a degree option for ARCSE students enables applicants to improve their school settings through specific preparation in teacher leadership. Offering a degree in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership also optimizes the experience of ARCSE students who have been employed within schools as paraeducators or teachers working under limited certification.

The program includes completion of ARCSE requirements and earning Residency Teacher Certification, with two years of additional study to earn a Master of Education in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. A student who has completed ARCSE program requirements would be eligible to apply to the ARCSE to MEd in TL program, which includes courses listed below:

ARCSE to MEd in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership program requirements (27 credits)

EDU 6528 Accomplished Teaching (3)
EDU 6979 Action Research in School Settings (3)
EDAD 6589 Engaging Communities (3)
EDU 6524 Curriculum Design (3)
EDU 6600 Communication & Collaboration (3)
EDAD 6580 Leadership in Education (3)
EDU 6990 Teacher Leadership Capstone (3)
EDU 6085 Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3)
EDU 6613 Standards-Based Assessment (3) or EDU 6526 Survey Instructional Strategies (3) for those with an endorsement in Special Education

Checklist

All courses will be offered online, via asynchronous or synchronous.

Required Foundations Course
- EDU 6085 Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3) (Required; choose to take at any time)
Autumn I
- EDU 6528 Accomplished Teaching (3 credits)
Winter I
- EDU 6979 Action Research in School Settings (3 credits)
Spring I
- EDAD 6589 Engaging Communities (3 credits)
- EDU 6526 Survey of Instructional Strategies (3 credits) or EDU 6613 Standards-Based Assessment (taken in summer)
Summer I
- EDU 6524 Curriculum Design (3)
- EDU 6613 Standards-Based Assessment (3)
Autumn II
- EDAD 6580 Leadership in Education (3 credits)
- EDU 6600 Communication and Collaboration (3 credits) (can also take this during winter)
Winter II
- EDU 6085 Moral and Theological Issues in Education (3 credits) (recommended to take winter II)
Spring II
- EDU 6990 Teacher Leadership Capstone (3)
- Comprehensive Exam

Faculty

Faculty Chair

Daniel Bishop

Assistant Professor; Chair of Teacher Leadership
EdD, Seattle Pacific University

Email: bishod@spu.edu
Phone: 206-281-2593
Office: Peterson Hall 313

Continuing Education

To meet the changing needs of adult learners, Seattle Pacific University offers a wide range of programs and courses to meet the needs of today’s professionals. With competitive credit and program rates, these personal and professional development opportunities make lifelong learning very affordable. As the largest provider of continuing education credits for teachers in Washington state, SPU’s Center for Professional Education is focused on the current needs of K–12 educators.

Courses taken for credit and numbered at the 5000 level are graduate-level courses and are designed primarily with the needs of teachers and other professionals in mind for the purpose of meeting certification, endorsement, district pay-lane requirements, and other professional needs. These graduate-level courses may be considered to meet elective requirements in some cases.

Still have questions? Review the FAQs.

Costs

TUITION AND FEES FOR 2020–21

$712

per credit

$50

application fee

45

credits to complete

FINANCIAL AID

Before applying for aid, you must first be admitted to a graduate program. Make sure you:

Enroll in at least 3 credits (or half-time) toward a degree or eligible certificate each quarter.
Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year.

You may take advantage of scholarships and loans. SPU does not have a deadline for graduate financial aid, though earlier is always better than later!

Learn more about the FAFSA and applying for financial help.

Learn more about scholarships, assistantships, and loans available to graduate students.

TLL 2020 ONLINE SCHOLARSHIP

Receive a $1,000 scholarship award to be used during the first year of a two-year online program. New students who begin courses in fall 2020 are eligible. Students should be enrolled full-time (minimum of 6 credits), and the scholarship will be distributed evenly over 4 consecutive enrolled terms.

FEES

Find out more about administrative and other School of Education program fees.

Application

Admission requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a current teaching certificate.

Application requirements

Applicants must submit the following items:

Application and $50 application processing fee
Copy of current teaching certificate
Official transcript — bachelor’s degree (including official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended)

Note: To be considered official, transcripts must be received in a sealed envelope from the college or university. Transcripts may be delivered to Graduate Admissions as long as they remain in their original, unopened university envelope. Electronic transcripts received via eSCRIP-SAFE or Parchment Exchange is also acceptable.

Résumé
Personal statement (1–2 pages)
Present a GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0 = A) in the last 45 quarter credits of coursework completed.*
Two letters of recommendation — supervisor, professional, or academic. At least one of these recommendations must address your leadership abilities and potential.

*The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) or (MAT) Miller Analogies Test will be required if GPA is less than 3.0. On the GRE, preferred minimum scores of Verbal: 148 and Quantitative: 147. On the MAT, preferred minimum scaled score of 400.

Application deadline

Space is limited. Apply now to join the Autumn cohort. Early applicants will receive priority consideration.

Application and admission questions?

Contact Graduate Admissions at 800-601-0603 or gradadmissions@spu.edu.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How selective is admission to the SPU School of Education graduate degree programs?

This varies by program. Admission to some programs, such as the Accelerated Master in Teaching Mathematics and Science (AMTMS), Accerated Master of Arts in Teaching (AMAT), and MEd in School Counseling, is very competitive. Admission to each of SPU's graduate programs in education is standards-based, and all applicants must meet all standards for admission.

Can I continue to work while enrolled in a graduate degree program in the SPU School of Education?

Yes, in most cases. Most of the graduate degree programs offered by the School of Education are part-time programs, with classes offered in a variety of worker-friendly venues. Education graduate courses are scheduled at SPU or off campus, in the evenings, occasionally on Saturdays, and during the summer.

The Acclerated Master of Arts in Teaching (AMAT) and Accelerated Master in Teaching Mathematics and Science (AMTMS) programs are exceptions. They are one-year full-time programs due to their full-time internships.

Is it possible to complete a graduate degree from SPU's School of Education online?

The School of Education offers several fully online programs, including the AMAT-Online, AMTMS-Online, Digital Education Leadership, and Teacher Leadership programs. Please review the program pages for eligibility requirements.

Is a graduate program at SPU more expensive than comparable education programs at other universities?

SPU's graduate tuition rates are competitive with other accredited universities in Washington.

How does a graduate degree or graduate certificate from SPU compare with a similar degree or certificate from other universities?

SPU's School of Education has been offering a wide range of fully accredited master's and doctoral degrees in addition to graduate certificates for more than 20 years. SPU's reputation in P–12 education in Washington and around the country is strong, and students who complete our graduate degree and certificate programs enjoy a higher rate of employment than the state's average.

School of Education

Master of Education (MEd) in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership