Teaching and mentoring people puts you in a position to lead educational or community organizations. Your degree program is designed for master’s prepared professionals from every career path. Highly individualized, with mentoring and dissertation support built-in from the start, USF’s Ed.D. program is literally designed for you.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership program at the University of St. Francis brings together practitioner-scholars to support doctoral candidates in learning and scholarship. The program is a combination of research, experiential learning, and shared knowledge about the key skills needed to lead, inspire, and educate.
Experienced faculty provide personalized guidance throughout the program, which offers the following concentrations:
Leadership, Learning, and Stewardship (60 credit hours) offers meaningful skills and perspectives on educational, social, political, and organizational leadership. It is designed for those pursuing higher level educational, corporate, health care and other leadership positions in public organizations, private sector companies, and service-oriented organizations.
Instruction in this concentration may be offered in blended, hybrid, and online modalities enhanced through virtual support.
Superintendent Endorsement (60 credit hours) is approved by the Illinois State Board of Education for administrative endorsement on the Professional Educator’s License. It is designed for educators who hold a General Administrative or Principal endorsement on their Professional Educator License and want to pursue district-level leadership.
Instruction for this concentration is delivered face-to-face and online.
Candidates may be eligible for a focused program to earn the Superintendent endorsement only.
The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. College of Education programs are further approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (isbe.net).
Post-graduate students will be considered for admission to the university after completing the program application and additional admission requirements noted. All admission requirements are subject to final approval by the dean of the college.
Applicants may request that transfer credit from an accredited doctoral program approved by the Illinois State Board of Education be accepted.
The M.S. in Educational Leadership provides educators with an opportunity to develop leadership skills through relevant coursework and experiences. It is delivered 100% online. Rolling admission allows flexibility to begin the program in the fall, spring, or summer. Educators can expect to complete the program in six semesters or less and participate in internship courses without teacher-release time.
Coursework in this program aligns with National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Program Standards, ensuring educators completing all requirements will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to serve as leaders in an evolving educational landscape.
Online
$555/credit hour
24 Months
This program cultivates educational leaders committed to fostering positive change within their schools and communities. It prepares aspiring leaders to serve diverse student populations with integrity, cultural competence, and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in today’s educational landscape. The program emphasizes ethical decision-making, collaborative leadership, and the ability to work with families, staff, and stakeholders to drive meaningful improvements in school outcomes. Delivered in a flexible online format, this program ensures that future school leaders can learn while continuing to serve their current roles. The Educational Leadership (M.S.) has two tracks: Principal Preparation and Teacher Leader.
Tailor your degree to fit your career goals! The Educational Leadership (M.S.) program at the University of St. Francis includes a competitive curriculum, with several concentrations to choose from, including:
Principal Preparation Concentration
This concentration prepares educators by developing the leadership skills necessary to serve as a school or district administrator. School building roles may include assistant principal, principal, deanor director.
Teacher Leader Concentration
This concentration provides educators with the tools to be successful as a school leader in roles such as curriculum specialist, department chair, and program leader.
RELATED PROGRAMS
Bridge Program:
Graduate Certificate:
The University of St. Francis is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and is authorized to operate as a post-secondary institution by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (ibhe.org). College of Education programs are further approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (isbe.net).
Our programs are top-ranked! U.S. News & World Report has placed the University of St. Francis on several of its annual listings, year after year, including its “Best National Universities,” “Best Value Schools” and “Best Online Programs” lists.
“Like my cohort peers, I began the Educational Leadership program at the University of St. Francis with an array of leadership skills built upon intrinsic values and previous experiences. However, the program, its respective courses, and knowledgeable professors guided me toward shaping these skills into applicable tools and strategies for future leadership positions. Grounded in ideals and centered on service to others, the entire experience allowed me to become the professional administrator that I am today.”
Clayton Theisinger, Program Graduate
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