Educational Leadership-Principal Preparation (MEd)
As a principal, you'll have the opportunity to lead a school community and create programs and initiatives with a last impact on students, tackling equity issues along the way.
Designed by Loyola’s School of Education faculty along with community partners, the Educational Leadership Principal Preparation MEd ensures all candidates acquire the skills necessary to be effective, justice-oriented, school principals. Through focused, in-depth coursework, candidates gain skills, perspectives, and knowledge for immediate application towards positively transforming schools, and improving student performance.
CURRICULUM
This program is for students who are seeking a Master's degree and principal licensure. A student may pursue this Master's degree without also pursuing the ISBE Principal Endorsement, but the course curriculum is designed to prepare students for licensure in Illinois. Students admitted to this program must be practicing educators or administrators with at least two years of work experience in the field.
Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ELPS 406 | Foundations Using Data for Continuous Improvement | 3 |
| ELPS 407 | Leading for Data-based Decision Making | 3 |
| ELPS 408 | Leading for Diversity | 3 |
| or ELPS 465 | Workshop (Variable Topics) | |
| ELPS 471 | MTSS for Instructional Leaders | 3 |
| ELPS 474 | Curriculum Development for Instructional Leaders | 3 |
| ELPS 481 | Mission Driven Leadership for Principals | 3 |
| ELPS 482 | School Supervision for Principals | 3 |
| ELPS 483 | Human and Fiscal Resource for Principals | 3 |
| ELPS 484 | School Law, Policy Formation, and Community Involvement | 3 |
| Required Internship Courses | ||
| ELPS 566 | Principal Internship One | 3 |
| ELPS 567 | Principal Internship Two | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Hours | |
| ELPS 483 | Human and Fiscal Resource for Principals | 3 |
| ELPS 484 | School Law, Policy Formation, and Community Involvement | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall | ||
| ELPS 481 | Mission Driven Leadership for Principals | 3 |
| ELPS 482 | School Supervision for Principals | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ELPS 471 | MTSS for Instructional Leaders | 3 |
| ELPS 474 | Curriculum Development for Instructional Leaders | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Summer | ||
| ELPS 408 or ELPS 465 |
Leading for Diversity or Workshop (Variable Topics) |
3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fall | ||
| ELPS 406 | Foundations Using Data for Continuous Improvement | 3 |
| ELPS 566 | Principal Internship One | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ELPS 407 | Leading for Data-based Decision Making | 3 |
| ELPS 567 | Principal Internship Two | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Program Format
The Principal Preparation MEd is an online program which means that all courses, including internship, are offered online. All advising sessions for leadership development and support will be hosted online.
Program Length
The program is 33 credit hours and can be completed part-time in two years (including summers).
Program Requirements
MEd plus ISBE Principal Endorsement Option
- Must be a practicing teacher or administrator with at least two years of work experience in your field
- Will earn ISBE Principal Endorsement pending the passing of exam 195/196
- Must pass teacher evaluation modules through ISBE
- 33 semester hours of completed coursework (6 credit hours per semester, summers included)
- 2 semesters of internship
MEd without Principal Endorsement Option
- Must have at least two years of work experience in your field (not-for-profit or community organization)
- Degree-seeking only. No ISBE Principal Endorsement.
- 33 semester hours of completed coursework (6 credit hours per semester, summers included)
- 2 semesters of internship
International and Out-of-State Students
A Principal Endorsement will not be issued to out-of-state students or international students who do not hold an IL Professional Educator License and/or meet all ISBE requirements for endorsement.
Continuous Enrollments
Master's students in Educational Leadership programs are required to maintain the status of continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and the approval of the School of Education’s Assistant Dean of Student Academic Affairs.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.