Nov 12, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Instructional Leadership, M.Ed.


The Master of Education in Instructional Leadership is for education professionals who are seeking administrative certification in order to pursue leadership roles in their school system. The goal of our faculty is to provide candidates with the tools to become reflective professional educators. Candidates must complete 36 credit hours of coursework, including 6 practicum credits. Courses are offered in both eight and sixteen week formats.

Required Courses (36 credits)


A majority of courses will be offered in an eight-week hybrid format.

Program Information


Gateway Assessment

In order to earn a Master of Education degree students must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA, complete at least 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework including a 6-credit practicum, have successfully completed a research capstone, and have passed each gateway.

Gateway 1: Entrance

Occurs for M.Ed. candidates at the time they make initial application to the M.Ed. program. Candidates move to Gateway 2 when all conditions for admissions have been met.

Gateway 2: Pre-Practicum

Requires that candidates meet with the program director to discuss assessment requirements of the appropriate specialized professional association. As applicable, the program director ensures that candidates have proper clearance to work in schools or other workplaces and that program requirements have been maintained.

Gateway 3: Transition

Occurs upon successful completion of Practicum I. The supervisor and candidate consult to develop goals for Practicum II.

Gateway 4: Program Completion

Successful completion of the practicum (with a rubric score of 2.0+), research capstone, and all program assessments and requirements as determined by a transcript analysis.

Program Completion Capstone

M.Ed. students are required to complete a graduate research capstone. MEDUC 630  and MEDUC 631  support capstone development.

Academic Policies

Admission and Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy may be awarded to those who have fulfilled all admission requirements. Upon advancement to candidacy, M.Ed. and MAT students have five years to complete their program. If necessary, students may petition for an extension. All graduate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA

Admission and Advancement Decision Appeals

Applicants who wish to appeal a decision regarding special student enrollment or advancement to candidacy decisions must submit a written request to the Chair of the Division of Education.

Academic Sessions

Sessions are offered on a year-round basis.

Clinical Experiences

Practicum

Master of Education students culminate their program of study with a practicum. A practicum provides prospective professionals with scaffolded opportunities to experience the multiple roles of the profession. With an experienced educator as a mentor and a university supervisor, participants will develop a Professional Development Plan so as to further develop and demonstrate their proficiency with the appropriate specialized professional association standards. Lab fee applies.

Incomplete Policy for School of Education Practicums

Due to the nature of advanced practicums, a student receiving a grade of I (Incomplete) may be required to defer the completion of the practicum until the next time the experience is offered, which may be during the following academic year.  Requirements of practicum assessments, and/or reassigned practicum placements could require the candidate to participate in the experience in its entirety.

Technology

Mount St. Mary’s University emphasizes the integration of technology into teaching as outlined by the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE) and their National Education Technology standards for students (NETS-S) and educators (NETS-E). Coursework models best practice in uses of technology as tools to enhance student learning.

TThe Mount uses Canvas as its course management platform. M.Ed. candidates use Chalk and Wire, an e-portfolio system, to develop their practicum portfolio.

Program Completer Status and Certification

Candidates are recommended for Administrator I certification upon successful completion of the M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership. To achieve the Administrator II certification, candidates will take the Praxis II School Leaders Licensure Assessment. Candidates will need to achieve the minimum Maryland qualifying score.