Educational Leadership, M.Ed.

WITH ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PRINCIPAL ENDORSEMENT

The purpose of the Master of Educational Leadership Degree (M.Ed) is to develop principals and assistant principals who have the vision, perspective, and skills to lead educational communities. The program provides students with an understanding of the school environment and how an administrator–through his/her abilities at the technical, managerial and institutional levels–creates and fosters a professional learning environment that facilitates the learning of students, teachers, and staff. Students are provided a breadth of theory in leadership as well as a foundation of knowledge, practical experiences and performances necessary for the enterprise of educational leadership. The North Central College program provides a strong foundation of knowledge, dispositions and performance based on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL, formerly ISLLC) leadership standards to prepare candidates to become successful school assistant principals and principals.  It is also aligned to NELP and Illinois Performance Standards for School Leaders.

The North Central College Educational Leadership Master’s Degree admission standards address the new Illinois State Board of Education requirements for candidates, including appropriate educators license and two-years of professional experience in schools.  Latest updates to admission requirements are available on the graduate admissions web page.

The program and its internship requirements can still be completed while employed full-time in a school setting.  It does not require a candidate to take a leave of absence.  The year-long internship is taken by enrolling in MEDU 691, MEDU 692, and MEDU 693 (optional order as approved).

This one-year internship requires the selection of a principal mentor. As prescribed by the State of Illinois requirements, the principal mentor must have a minimum of two years of experience, an Illinois license and evidence of student growth in two of the past five years as a principal. As part of the program, candidates will be required to participate in training by certified staff in accordance with provisions of Section 24 A-3 of the School Code (105 ILCS/24A-3). This training will involve completion of the State-prescribed teacher supervision modules.  Students are also required to take Principal exams as designated for the principal endorsement, currently Principal Exam 195 & 196. 

The program includes requirements for fulfilling licensure requirements for the principal endorsement.

Candidates successfully completing a principal preparation program shall obtain a principal endorsement and are eligible to work as a principal or assistant principal. (Section 21-7.1 of the School Code; also see 23 Ill. Adm.Code 25.337)