Program goal
The leadership studies concentration of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership is a 30-credit-hour program for individuals who hold or expect to hold leadership positions in educational organizations but who do not wish to obtain the administration/supervision endorsement from the Virginia Department of Education. Applicants are expected to have at least two years of experience in an educational setting. The program includes 15 hours of credit in required courses and 15 hours in a concentrated series of electives chosen with approval of the student’s adviser.
Student learning outcomes
- Content knowledge: Candidates demonstrate content knowledge in educational leadership as evidenced by case study analyses.
- Develop supervisory plan for learning: Candidates demonstrate the ability to develop a supervisory plan for classroom-based learning as evidenced by the clinical supervision model.
- Assess ability to support student learning and development: Candidates demonstrate ability to support student learning and development as evidenced by the leadership to support student learning assessment.
- Assess application of content: Candidates demonstrate application of content as evidenced by the action research project.
- Assess management and community relations: Candidates demonstrate organizational management and community relations skills as evidenced by the educational intervention plan.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Degree candidacy requirements
A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. | Fall | May 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate discipline
- Three letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- Transcripts of all previous college work
- At least two years of experience in an educational setting
Please visit the School of Education website for further information.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
- Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours.
- Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| ADMS 618 | Leadership for Educational Change and Improvement | 3 |
| ADMS 622 | Understanding Diversity and Leading for Social Justice | 3 |
| ADMS 630 | Understanding and Engaging School Communities | 3 |
| ADMS 633 | Multiple Dimensions of Leadership | 3 |
| EDUS 660 | Research Methods in Education | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Any planned, concentrated series of courses from ADLT, ADMS, EDUS, PADM, SEDP and TEDU designed by student or student group and adviser to meet the needs of student or student group | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 30.
Contact
Communications and Enrollment Management
soeinfo@vcu.edu
(804) 827-2670
Additional contact
Barbara Driver, Ph.D.
Assistant professor and graduate program director
bdriver@vcu.edu
(804) 828-8736
Program website: soe.vcu.edu/academics/masters-programs/med-educational-leadership