Program Overview

The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) program in Teacher Leadership is designed for certified educators who want to remain in classroom teaching while, at the same time, extend their influence beyond the walls of their own classrooms. The program is designed to help teachers improve their knowledge and skills in teaching their own content areas as well as in leadership where they develop expertise in leading other educators to improve teaching and learning across all subject areas and grade levels. The Teacher Leadership program addresses the expanded roles and responsibilities of teachers in schools, including data-driven assessment and decision making for school improvement, leading professional learning communities, applying research to practice, improving teaching and learning, and collaborating with families and the community.

The 30-semester hour program includes six hours of foundational courses, nine hours of teacher leadership courses, nine hours of content area pedagogy courses, and six hours of internship. Candidates complete the internship during the final two semesters of coursework where they gain experience as teacher leaders under the supervision of P-12 and university coaches and mentors.  

The program integrates theoretical frameworks with practical and performance based experiences by combining academic content with field experiences and internships. The program model also provides candidates access to graduate-level instruction from faculty in multiple disciplines which allows them the opportunity to broaden their understandings of the total school community and expose them to a wide variety of P-12 educational processes.

Program of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Professional Core
EDUF 7116	Applied Educational Research: Assessing and Monitoring Student Achievement	3
EDUF 6117	Adult Learners and Learning	3
Professional Core Subtotal		6
Teacher Leadership
EDTL 7156	Developing Teacher Leaders	3
EDTL 7155	Diversity and Advocacy in Education	3
EDUL 6129	Supervision of the Learning Environment	3
EDTL 7000	Teacher Leadership Program Orientation	0
Teacher Leadership Subtotal		9
Content Pedagogy
EDTL 7157	Assessment to Improve Teaching and Learning	3
Choose two of the following:		6
EDTL 7158	Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
EDTL 7159	Differentiating Instruction in the Content Areas
EDUL 6128	Instructional Strategies for Student Success
Content Pedagogy Subtotal		9
Internship
EDTL 7685	Teacher Leadership Internship I	3
EDTL 7686	Teacher Leadership Internship II	3
Internship Subtotal		6
Total Credit Hours		30

Admission Requirements

Learning Outcomes

• OUTCOME 1: Candidates in service and leader preparation demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization so that learning and development opportunities for all P-12 students are enhanced, through applications of data literacy.
• OUTCOME 2: Candidates in service and leader preparation demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization so that learning and development opportunities for all P-12 students are enhanced, through use of research and understanding of qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research methodologies.
• OUTCOME 3: Candidates in service and leader preparation demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization so that learning and development opportunities for all P-12 students are enhanced, through employment of data analysis and evidence to develop supportive school environments.
• OUTCOME 4: Candidates in service and leader preparation demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization so that learning and development opportunities for all P-12 students are enhanced, through leading and/or participating in collaborative activities with others such as peers, colleagues, teachers, administrators, community organizations, and parents.
• OUTCOME 5: Candidates in service and leader preparation demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization so that learning and development opportunities for all P-12 students are enhanced, through supporting appropriate applications of technology for their field of specialization.
• OUTCOME 6: Candidates in service and leader preparation demonstrate their proficiencies to understand and apply knowledge and skills appropriate to their professional field of specialization so that learning and development opportunities for all P-12 students are enhanced, through application of professional dispositions, laws and policies, codes of ethics and professional standards appropriate to their field of specialization.