Overview

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in educational leadership and policy studies (ELPS) prepares educational leaders and administrators. Students build upon their existing expertise with skills that can increase organizational effectiveness. Options of the M.Ed. in ELPS provide programs that feature higher education administration or administration in schools, kindergarten-grade 12.

About The Program

• The M.Ed. in educational leadership and policy studies degree is 30 credit hours and non-thesis.
• Programs of study emphasize higher education administration or principal certification.
• Curriculum, program delivery, and admission requirements are specific to each of the two program emphases.
• The Higher Education Administration Emphasis includes an option for 1) a dual degree, Master of Social Work and Master of Education in ELPS or 2) Master of Education in ELPS.
• The principal certification option is an online program.

Career Opportunities

Higher education administration graduates find employment in many areas of higher education, including but not limited to:

• Student affairs
• Housing
• Financial aid
• Institutional research and technology

Principal Certification graduates pursue leadership/administration positions in Pre-K-Grade 12 schools, including:

• Assistant principal
• Principal
• Central administration

Degree Options

Higher Education Administration Emphasis

This degree option is for individuals who would like to pursue a career in higher education or who work in colleges and universities and wish to enhance their knowledge of the higher education system.

This is an in-person program that includes hybrid instruction modalities. Because most students are working professionals, courses are offered in the evening.

B.A. - Ph.D. Track in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Students accepted in the M.Ed. with Higher Education Administration Emphasis can elect, with program approval, to pursue the integrated BA-Ph.D. track.

This track allows students to start doctoral work earlier and transfer into the Ph.D. program upon completion of 30 credit hours in the M.Ed. program.

Dual degree MSW/M.Ed. Master of Social Work / Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with Higher Education Administration Emphasis

Students seeking their Master’s in Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, Higher Education Administration Emphasis may wish to seek a dual degree to also obtain a Master of Social Work that offers two specialties: 1) a specialty in mental health and substance misuse supports those working in higher education to meet the needs of students challenged by mental health and substance misuse and 2) a specialty in community and administrative practice supports higher education professionals' optimal partnering with neighboring communities.

Principal Certification

• This online degree option is for students who want to work in administration in a grades K-12 environment.
• Along with earning a master’s degree, students in this program are prepared for principal certification in Texas.
• If you are out-of-state individual seeking certification in another state, you must consult with that state’s education authorities to achieve certification.

Tyler Franta / unsplash

Curriculum

In order to graduate from UTA and the College of Education, all candidates must have at least a 3.0 GPA.

Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with Principal Certificate Courses

Core Courses

• EDAD 5322 -- Educational Research and Evaluation -- 3
• EDAD 5360 -- Leadership Theory -- 3
• EDAD 5380 -- Diversity and Equity in Education -- 3
• EDAD 5399 -- Capstone Practicum in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies -- 3

Principal as Instructional Leader Certification Courses

• EDAD 5330 -- Leadership in the Instructional Setting Practicum -- 3
• EDAD 5381 -- Governance, Political and Legal Aspects of Education -- 3
• EDAD 5383 -- The Principalship -- 3
• EDAD 5384 -- Resource Management in Education -- 3
• EDAD 5389 -- Administrative Practicum -- 3
• EDAD 5305 -- Curriculum Design, Implementation, and Evaluation -- 3

Total Hours -- 30

Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, with Higher Education Administration Emphasis

Core Courses

• EDAD 5322 -- Educational Research and Evaluation -- 3
• EDAD 5360 -- Leadership Theory -- 3
• EDAD 5380 -- Diversity and Equity in Education -- 3
• EDAD 5399 -- Capstone Practicum in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies -- 3

Higher Education Administration Emphasis Courses

• EDAD 5350 -- American College Student -- 3
• EDAD 5351 -- Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs -- 3
• EDAD 5352 -- Higher Education Law -- 3
• EDAD 5354 -- The American Community College -- 3
• EDAD 5356 -- History, Principles, and Philosophy of Higher Education Administration -- 3
• EDAD 5357 -- Higher Education Trends and Issues -- 3

Total Hours -- 30

Why Choose Us?

• Fully accredited programs at the state, regional, and national levels
• Programs designed to accommodate working professionals
• 30-hour degree plans
• Experienced, high-quality professors

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies is competitive and some qualified students may not be admitted if demand exceeds the program’s capacity to serve all applicants.

All students must meet university, college, department, and Texas Administrative Code qualifications in order to participate in educator preparation programs. Out-of-state students will not qualify for Texas educator certification. Therefore, students should review their state's requirements to determine if completion of a program at UTA will lead to certification in their state.

Program areas have additional requirements including documents for TEA reporting, including 1) a written response to the given prompt (fulfills “other screening instrument” as required by The Texas Education Agency), and 2) completion of Attestation and FERPA forms. In addition, some programs require access to an approved Pre K-12 setting. The overall grade point average (GPA) of each incoming class admitted between September 1 and August 31 of each year by an educator preparation program (EPP) may not be less than 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent. Certification programs have additional TAC requirements for GPA (used by the program in addition to, not in lieu of, the requirements stated above).

Unconditional Admission Criteria

• 2 or more years of relevant work experience
• Undergraduate transcripts with a 3.0 GPA during the last 60 hours or 3.0 cumulative GPA, the higher of which will be used for admission purposes. A 3.0 GPA on the last 9 hours of graduate coursework may be considered in place of undergraduate GPA.
• 2 professional letters of reference are on file. Letters from supervisors are strongly encouraged.

Probationary Admission Criteria

• Applicants who meet requirements 2) and 3) from unconditional admission criteria but have less than 2 years of relevant work experience may be granted probationary admission. The faculty admissions committee may require additional documents (e.g., GRE scores) for consideration.
• Students granted probationary admission must maintain a 3.0 (B or better) GPA in the first 9 credit hours of graduate coursework in the College of Education program to be converted from probationary to unconditional admission.