SPECIALIST IN EDUCATION
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP (ONLINE)
Mission
The program mission is to prepare instructional leaders to be caring, reflective decision makers
equipped to build the 21st century schoolhouse. This program will equip instructional candidates to
become change agents for positively impacting students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically.
Overview
This program is intended for educators interested in careers in public, parochial or private school
leadership. Likely career paths for program graduates include leadership roles in school districts as
principals, vice principals, superintendents, deputy superintendents of assessment or curriculum
improvement, directors of educational programs for exceptional children, and conservators of failing
school districts. The program offers two tracks of study: one in instructional leadership and the other in
instructional assessment.
Admission Requirements
No student will be admitted on a probationary or provisional basis. Students may transfer hours of
approved coursework from an institution that is fully accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
Coursework used in a previous degree may not be used toward the specialist degree.
To fulfill requirements for admission to the specialist in instructional leadership degree program, the
student must:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
Hold a master’s degree from an institution fully accredited by a recognized accrediting agency;
Meet the university’s general requirements for graduate admission;
Have a GPA of 3.50 in a related master’s program;
Have completed 30 hours of graduate work;
Have passed basic statistics and have knowledge of basic research methods;
Submit two letters of reference which may include a letter from a superintendent, professor,
principal or supervisor.
Progression
To progress through the specialist in instructional leadership degree program, the student must:
(1) Maintain a 3.00 GPA;
(2) Complete a minimum of 24 hours through William Carey University, not to include credits from
a prior degree earned through WCU;
(3) Complete all required work within a period of six years after enrolling in the program;
(4) File a signed program of study prior to completing 9 hours.
Requirements for Candidates
The academic requirements for a specialist in instructional leadership are the 30-hour program outlined
below, and successful completion of a comprehensive examination taken during the final trimester of
coursework.
Professional Academic Core (12 hours)
EDL 702
Ethical Issues in Administration
EDL 703
Learning Research Based in Instructional Theory
EDL 792
Primary and Secondary Interpretation of Quantitative Data
EDL 788
Schools and Community Safety Management
Professional Education Electives (Choose 2 courses from the following with approval of
advisor)
EDL 704
Data Driven Decision Making
EDL 701
Advanced Organizational Leadership Models
EDL 717
Innovative Approaches Leading to Administration in a Diverse Culture
TRACK ONE: Instructional Leadership Requirement (12 hours)
REQUIRED COURSES
EDL 730
School Finance Influenced by Current Trends and Issues in Public Education
EDL 727
Theories of Educational Leadership
Choose 6 hours from the following courses:
EDL 735
Employees and Faculty Conflict Resolution
EDL 736
Advanced School Law Issues
EDL 786
Qualitative Methods for Educational Research
EDL 737
Analyses and Problem Solving for Education Organizations
EDL 738
Building Professional Learning Communities Internally and Externally
TRACK TWO: Instructional Assessment Requirement (12 hours)
REQUIRED COURSES
EDL 732
Effective Data Analysis for Instructional and Performance Improvement Using
Technology Tools
EDL 791
Data Analysis Program Improvement through Professional Learning Communities
Choose 6 hours from the following courses
EDL 786
Qualitative Methods in Educational Research
EDL 789
Educational Unit Self-Study through Assessment Inquiry Research
EDL 795
Global Analysis of Student Data and its Impact on Local Instruction
EDL 796
Educational Internship through Global Learning and Assessment
EDL 797
Assessment and Curriculum Design