(M.Ed., Ed.S., Ed.D.)
Study in Educational Leadership provides both a theoretical and practical understanding of educational organizations, leadership, educational program planning and evaluation, and management functions. M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs prepare leaders primarily for PK12 public and private schools, but also encompass other education agencies as well. The Ed.D. program serves as a vehicle for scholarly-practitioners to study a problem of practice that informs the analysis of organizational, leadership, and educational practices within PK-12 school settings.
M.Ed.:
The Master of Education program in Educational Leadership requires a minimum of 40 credit hours. Students enroll in a sequence of 9 required courses which total 28 credits. Students may choose 4 additional elective courses. Students may choose to take electives before, during, or after the three year program that can be used for certification purposes. The M.Ed. is designed primarily to prepare school-level leaders such as principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders.
Assistant Building Administrator Certification Pathway
Students may elect a 15-month Pathway that leads to Assistant Building Administrator (045) certification applied through the Maine Department of Education. Students typically meet once a week online using a synchronous platform and have 2-3 in-person laboratories of practice that allow aspiring administrators to apply coursework in action. Students who successfully complete the Assistant Building Administrator Certification Pathway can apply for and be accepted to the M.Ed. program and can use this coursework as the required four electives necessary to graduate with the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.
For further information about the program, see https://umaine.edu/edhd/graduate/educational-leadership-masters-cas/ or contact Dr. Ian Mette at ian.mette@maine.edu.
Ed.S.:
The Education Specialist in Educational Leadership offers opportunities for study beyond the master’s degree toward leadership roles, such as school superintendent, curriculum coordinator or to develop research capacities. A minimum of 30 credit hours is required for those with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership; 39-45 hours for those with a master’s degree in a related field.
Coursework in the M.Ed. and the Ed.S. programs is offered in the late afternoon or evening in the Fall and Spring semesters and some Saturdays. Study may be full or part time.
Ed.D.:
The UMaine Ed.D. program is designed to support scholarly practitioners who intend to address a problem of practice. The program supports educators in PK-12 leadership positions through a four year sequence of course, wherein students take two 8-week classes in the fall, two 8-week classes in the spring, and one 8-week class in the summer. The Ed.D. Program in PK-12 Educational Leadership seeks to admit post-master’s students who: 1) have leadership experience in PK-12 education and who wish to grow professionally and academically; 2) intend to make substantial contributions to the leadership of PK-12 education and are committed to making a positive difference in their leadership practice and workplace; 3) demonstrate the self-direction necessary for advanced graduate study and independent research; and 4) possess the ability and motivation to succeed in the rigorous interpersonal and academic demands of doctoral study. Students accepted into the program may elect to enroll in a superintendent internship.
For further information about the program, see https://umaine.edu/edhd/graduate/educational-leadership-edd/ or contact Dr. Ian Mette at ian.mette@maine.edu.