Educational Leadership
Overview of Educational Leadership Programs
The Educational Leadership programs prepare educators to assume a variety of leadership roles within education settings. Students gain knowledge and leadership skills necessary to support teaching and learning, to engage in data-based decision-making, to apply ethical principles to problem-solving and policy, and to champion models of high educational standards for all. Based on state and national educational leadership standards, our programs provide students with great opportunities to develop relationships and professional networks with professors and practitioners in urban, suburban, and rural settings.
For more information about the Educational Leadership programs, visit uab.edu/education/home/graduate/el.
Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership
The Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership program prepares professional educators to assume key leadership roles in schools. The minimum 30-hour program is delivered online, with some courses requiring weekly sessions via Zoom. Upon successful completion of the program and a passing praxis score, eligible students can apply for Alabama Class A Instructional Leadership (P-12) certification.
Post-Master's Certificate (Reduced-Hour Option)
The Post-Master’s Certificate program is a reduced-hour option for educators who already hold a master’s and Alabama Class A professional educator certification in a teaching or instructional support area. Like our master’s program, this minimum 18-hour option delivers courses online with synchronous class sessions via Zoom. Upon successful completion and a passing praxis score, eligible students can apply for Alabama Class A Instructional Leadership (P-12) certification.
Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program will further sharpen skills and develop new competencies for district level leadership and may lead to Alabama Class AA Instructional Leadership certification. The minimum 30-hour program is delivered online with some courses requiring weekly sessions via Zoom. Every educational leadership course has meaningful, embedded field experiences and internship activities to provide the student with district-level leadership experiences.
Admission Requirements
For all educational leadership programs that are State-approved instructional leadership certification programs, individuals must be unconditionally admitted to the program prior to enrolling in any instructional leadership courses. Admission to the Graduate School is not equivalent to "unconditional admission" to a state-approved educator preparation program.
Master's: In addition to meeting Graduate School admission requirements, applicants must meet the following requirements for unconditional admission:
- Hold a valid bachelor’s- or master’s-level professional educator certificate in a teaching field or a valid master’s-level certificate in another area of instructional support;
- Meet one of the following criteria for experience:
- A minimum of three full years of full-time, acceptable, professional educational experience in a P-12 setting which includes at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience, or
- For those with Alabama certification for library media or school counseling, a minimum of four full years of full-time employment in a school system as a library media specialist or school counselor in a P-12 setting, and provide a written recommendation from the current employing superintendent; and
- Successfully pass an admissions portfolio and interview.
Post-Master's (Reduced Hour Option): In addition to meeting Graduate School admission requirements, applicants must meet the following requirements for unconditional admission:
- Hold a valid Alabama Class A professional educator certificate in a teaching field or another area of instructional support;
- Meet one of the following criteria for experience:
- A minimum of three full years of full-time, acceptable, professional educational experience in a P-12 setting which includes at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience, or
- For those with Alabama certification for library media or school counseling, a minimum of four full years of full-time employment in a school system as a library media specialist or school counselor in a P-12 setting, and provide a written recommendation from the current employing superintendent; and
- Successfully pass an admissions portfolio and interview.
Education Specialist: In addition to meeting Graduate School admission requirements, applicants must meet the following requirements for unconditional admission:
- Hold one of the following valid Alabama Class A certificates: Professional Educator Certificate in Instructional Leadership, Professional Leadership Certificate, or one of the other Class A leadership certificate designations per Rule 290-3-3-.43(2)(b).
- Meet one of the experience criteria according to Rule 290-3-3-.43(2)(c). For example, currently serving as a school administrator, or three years of experience in an instructional leadership position, or demonstrate each of the abilities in the Class A Instructional Leadership standards (typically evidenced by completion of a Class A Instructional Leadership program).
Certification
Master’s & Post-Master’s: To be eligible for Class A Instructional Leadership certification, a candidate must:
- Satisfactorily complete the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses;
- Achieve scores that demonstrate curriculum mastery in a comprehensive assessment and portfolio;
- Hold a valid, appropriate, prerequisite Alabama certificate (e.g., Class B or Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area);
- Successfully complete internship and residency experiences;
- Receive a passing score on the required Praxis assessment; and
- Submit a certification application to the SEHS Office of Student Services during the last term of enrollment or within 60 calendar months of completing the program.
Education Specialist: To be eligible for Class AA Instructional Leadership certification, a candidate must:
- Satisfactorily complete the program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses and meet UAB Graduate School criteria for earning the degree;
- Hold a valid, appropriate, prerequisite Alabama certificate; and
- Submit a certification application to the SEHS Office of Student Services during the last term of enrollment in the program or no later than 60 calendar months following completion of the degree.
Students who plan to seek employment outside of Alabama are responsible for securing the proper professional licensure application forms from those states.
Additional Information
Visit: uab.edu/education/home/graduate/el. In addition, prospective students may access information packets that include step-by-step instructions for the admissions process in our program folder.
Note: The Graduate Catalog is published annually. For State-approved certification programs, State Board requirements may be updated more frequently than the Graduate Catalog. Please contact the Office of Student Services in the School of Education and Human Sciences or the Educational Leadership program director for the most current information. In addition, prospective students may access information packets that include step-by-step instructions for the admissions process in our program folder.
Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership
Individuals must be unconditionally admitted to the master’s program prior to enrolling in any instructional leadership courses in order to be eligible for certification. This 30-hour minimum program delivers courses online, with some classes requiring weekly sessions via Zoom. Upon successful completion of the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses and a passing praxis score, eligible students can apply for Alabama Class A Instructional Leadership (P-12) certification.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Leadership Courses: | ||
| EDL 654 | Survey of Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 655 | Systematic Inquiry for School Improvement | 3 |
| EDL 656 | Supervision & Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 657 | Law & Ethics for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDL 658 | Leadership for Diversity and Inclusive Education | 3 |
Residency: | ||
| EDL 659 | Residency in Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| Supporting Courses: | ||
| EDU 617 | Promoting Ethics & Wellness in P-12 Education | 3 |
| EDU 618 | Student Support Systems in P-12 Education | 3 |
| EDU 619 | Action Research for Educational Improvement | 3 |
Research: | ||
| EPR 594 | Introduction to Educational Research Design | 3 |
| Possible Additional Course(s): | ||
| ECY 600 | Introduction to Exceptional Learner 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 30-33 | |
- 1
Not required if course or recognized equivalent was previously completed.
Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership
Individuals must be unconditionally admitted to the post-master’s certificate program prior to enrolling in any instructional leadership courses in order to be eligible for certification. This 18-hour minimum program delivers courses online, with some classes requiring weekly sessions via Zoom. Upon successful completion of the program with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all courses and a passing praxis score, eligible students can apply for Alabama Class A Instructional Leadership (P-12) certification.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Leadership Courses: | ||
| EDL 654 | Survey of Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 655 | Systematic Inquiry for School Improvement | 3 |
| EDL 656 | Supervision & Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDL 657 | Law & Ethics for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDL 658 | Leadership for Diversity and Inclusive Education | 3 |
Residency: | ||
| EDL 659 | Residency in Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| Possible Additional Course(s): | ||
| ECY 600 | Introduction to Exceptional Learner 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 18-21 | |
- 1
Not required if course or recognized equivalent was previously completed.
Education Specialist in Educational Leadership
Individuals must be unconditionally admitted to the Ed.S. program prior to enrolling in any instructional leadership courses in order to be eligible for certification. This 30-hour minimum program delivers courses online, with some classes requiring weekly sessions via Zoom. Upon successful completion of the program with a minimum GPA of 3.25 in all courses, eligible students can apply for Alabama Class AA Instructional Leadership (P-12) certification.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Leadership Courses: | ||
| EDL 700 | School and District Resource Allocation (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 704 | Educational Law and Policy Development (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 733 | Organizational Behavior (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 734 | Ethical Dimension of Leadership (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 736 | Leadership and the Learning Spectrum (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 737 | Instructional Supervision & Human Resources (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 738 | Leading Inclusive Organizations and Building Engagement (includes field experience) | 3 |
| EDL 739 | Program Evaluation (includes field experience) | 3 |
| Research and Foundations: | ||
| EPR 608 | Introduction to Statistical Methods in Educational Research | 3 |
| EDF 702 | Critical Social Issues in American Education | 3 |
| Possible Additional Course(s): | ||
| ECY 600 | Introduction to Exceptional Learner 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours: | 30-33 | |
- 1
Not required if course or recognized equivalent was previously completed.