To earn the master's degree, students must complete three graduate certificates. Each certificate blends together term-based online courses with a synchronous capstone course held in the summer. This affordable degree has been designed for educators looking to enhance their skills and capacities as classroom teachers and leaders and to make a difference in their schools and local communities.

Students who wish to take classes and separately complete certificates without enrolling in the full MA program should see the Teacher Leadership program graduate certificate pathway.

Graduate certificates include:

Program Requirements

The MA in Teacher Leadership degree requires completion of any three teacher leadership certificates (a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved, graduate-level coursework) and a minimum cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00.

Once a student has completed three of the 10-credit online certificates that prepare them for leadership in their teaching career, they will be awarded the MA in Teacher Leadership. A comprehensive final examination is not required.

People who enroll in the MA in Teacher Leadership must currently be a practicing educator with an established education site.  This program does not offer endorsements or licensure.

Plan(s) of Study

Students must complete three of the 10-credit online certificates to be awarded the MA in Teacher Leadership. Each graduate certificate in teacher leadership requires 10 completed credits, as follows:

  • Three two-credit asynchronous classes, taken in sequence. These classes must be completed two weeks before beginning a synchronous capstone in the summer.
  • One four-credit synchronous class, taken in the summer. The last course for all certificates is a synchronous capstone course that brings together all the content and curriculum. This course runs as a 3-week intensive after academic school years end in May/June.

For a full listing of all certificates, refer to the Overview section.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge outcomes:

  • Teachers will examine and understand the central knowledge claims within each certificate domain.
  • Teachers will examine and understand the distinct instructional strategies within each certificate domain.
  • Teachers will examine and understand the particular K-12 curricular content for their students’ development.
  • Teachers will utilize this certificate domain knowledge in the creation of a classroom, school or community implementation plan.

Skill outcomes:

  • Teachers will become acquainted with and able to convey the relevant domain’s content knowledge to students, other teachers and community members.
  • Teachers will become acquainted with and able to convey the distinct instructional strategies within each certificate domain to students, other teachers and community members.
  • Teachers will be able to convey the relevant K-12 curricular content to their students.
  • Teachers will be able to engage other teachers and community members so as to further their understanding of and see the value of their chosen certificate domain.