EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Degree
DEGREE INFORMATION
CONTACT INFORMATION
Program Admission Deadlines:
Fall:
June 1
Spring: November 1
College: Education
Minimum Total Hours: 30
Department: Leadership, Counseling, Adult, Career,
and Higher Education (L‐CACHE)
Contact Information: www.grad.usf.edu
Other Resources: www.usf4you
Program Level: Masters
CIP Code:
13.0401
Dept. Code:
LEA
Program (Major/College): CAS ED
Approved 1974
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Program Description
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership degree consists of a minimum of thirty credits of
coursework beyond the Bachelor’s degree. Students in the program engage research in order to develop socially
just decision-making strategies, engage and inform stakeholders, sustain motivation for change, and build
academic improvement opportunities for all children. Through collaborative inquiry, culturally relevant pedagogy,
leadership opportunities, and public deliberation, students address historical and perennial issues confounding
public education. Accordingly, the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership prepares schools leaders to perform their
designated tasks in an effective, equitable and ethical manner aligned to the Florida Principal Leadership Standards
(FPLS) for K-12 schools. Successful completion of coursework and degree requirements fulfills core curriculum
requirements for State of Florida Level I Educational Leadership certification.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS); The
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education/Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
(NCATE/CAEP); and the Florida Department of Education.
ADMISSION INFORMATION
Admission to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Program occurs each fall and spring semester. Admission is
based on a holistic evaluation of each applicant’s demonstrated academic potential to complete all degree
requirements successfully. Success in the M.Ed. program requires a commitment to utilizing rigorous inquiry,
developing strong analytical and writing skills, and demonstrating a commitment to purposeful inclusive practices
that lead to learning for all students. The program faculty will consider each applicant within the context defined
by her or his personal and professional qualifications.
Applicants must meet University requirements (see Graduate Admissions) as well as requirements listed below.
Program Admission Requirements
 An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or an
international equivalent.
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


A minimum 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in upper division undergraduate coursework.
For those seeking State of Florida Level I Educational Leadership certification, a valid Florida Professional
Educator’s Certificate
Two years of teaching experience
A letter of intent (brief statement outlining experience and goals for the degree).
Three letters of professional recommendation from persons knowledgeable about the applicant’s
academic and professional competence.
Proof of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training (e.g. ESOL endorsement; completion of
ESOL certification exam plus 120 hours of ESOL district in‐service training; or, completion TSL 5085; ESOL 1
or equivalent.) Note: Contact the program if you do not meet the above criteria. Non‐degree seeking
coursework or the Graduate Record Examination scores may be required if an applicant’s GPA is below
3.00.
International Students
All applicants whose native language is other than English or who have earned a degree from an institution outside
the United States must meet the University requirements relative to international graduate admission, (e.g. TOEFL
scores, etc.). In addition to these university requirements, applicants to the College of Education must provide the
following:
 An course‐by‐course evaluation of official transcripts from foreign institutions by an approved external
agency;
 A social security number in degree programs requiring practica or internships;
 Other information as required by the program of interest, (e.g. Graduate Record Exam scores, etc.).
DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Total Minimum Hours
30 hours
Educational Leadership Core Knowledge Requirements
EDA 6192 Educational Leadership
EDA 6061 Principles of Educational Administration
EDA 6213 Culturally Relevant Leadership
EDG 6627 Foundations of Curriculum and Instruction
EDA 6232 School Law
Educational Leadership Praxis and Field Experience Requirements
EDA 6106 Administrative Analysis and Change
EDA 6945 Administration Practicum I
EDA 6285 School Curriculum Improvement
EDA 6945 Administration Practicum II
EDA 6194 Educational Leadership II: Building Capacity
15 hours
3
3
3
3
3
15 hours
3
3
3
3
3
Comprehensive Exam
A comprehensive electronic portfolio is submitted for evaluation in lieu of a comprehensive examination.
Graduation Requirement
The Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE) must be passed prior to graduation. Official FELE score report
submission required.
Please be advised that program and/or course requirements are subject to change, per state legislative mandates,
Florida State Department of Education program approval standards, and accreditation criteria.
M. Ed. in Educational Leadership Program (30 credits)
Course Description Changes
EDA 6061
Principles of
Educational
Administration
3
ED
ELS
EDA 6106
Administrative
Analysis and
Change
3
ED
ELS
EDA 6192
Educational
Leadership
3
ED
ELS
Educational
administration as a
profession.
Consideration of
organization, ethical
leadership, and support
of the educational
system.
Change and change
strategies in formal and
informal organizations
are foci. Students will
develop change
strategies and will apply
them to selected
situations.
Administration course
that addresses change,
EDA 6194
Educational
Leadership
II: Building
Capacity
3
ED
ELS
EDA 6213
Culturally
Relevant
Leadership
3
ED
ELS
EDA 6232
School Law
3
ED
ELS
EDG 6285
School
Curriculum
Improvement
3
ED
ELS
EDG 6627
Foundations Of
Curriculum And
Instruction
3
ED
EDC
EDA 6945
Administration
Practicum
3‐ 8
ED
ELS
influences, and planning
systems.
Three major themes to
improve schools within a
clear/compelling moral
purpose: 1) communities
of differences; 2) teacher
development through
professional community
building; and 3) learners
and learning through
capacity building at the
school level.
This course prepares
culturally responsive
leaders to attend to
diverse needs of all
students. It is organized
with the understanding
that school leaders are
moral stewards and
public intellectuals who
advocate for
instructional
accountability.
PR: EDG 4620
Basic essentials of School
Law. A review of court
decisions affecting
American education with
emphasis on Florida
State statutes.
Open only to teachers in
service. Emphasizes
curriculum analysis and
school improvement
planning.
Open to all graduate
students. Introductory
course in curriculum and
instruction at the
graduate level, basic to
all specialized courses in
the field. Emphasis on
foundations, design,
basic concepts, theory,
and trends of curriculum
from early childhood
through secondary levels
Capstone project and
field experiences in
school systems for
identifying and analyzing
educational problems
and their solutions.
Application of concepts
developed in the
student's program.