Education Specialist in Educational Leadership

Leaders in education today are dealing with rapidly changing environments. They are managing diverse points of view and are constantly being asked to do more with less. Educational leaders need to collaborate with others to develop sound polices. And they need to listen well to diverse points of view and think critically while acting ethically.

Education specialists make a difference in their schools through their commitment to the improvement of K-12 education. Building on their foundation of leadership, leaders use their skills to create successful strategies for change and put into service leading practices for the day-to-day needs of their schools.

St. Thomas educates professionals who aspire to be leaders in their organizations, whatever their roles and responsibilities.

The Education Specialist in Educational Leadership degree is designed for busy working professionals. Classes are typically held one evening per week and occasional Saturdays.

The competency-based curriculum is founded on a practical, innovative assessment of your learning needs. The five areas of study are: pre-assessment, foundation, concentration, electives, and portfolio and reassessment.

This program is designed for:

• Individuals with a master’s degree in educational leadership looking to fulfill required competencies for:
            o K-12 Principal licensure.
            o Superintendent licensure.
            o Director of Special Education licensure.
• Individuals with a master’s degree interested in building leadership skills for specialized administration and management roles in learning settings.

Through a portfolio development process, you will demonstrate competency in the skill areas needed to lead Minnesota’s K-12 schools. St. Thomas, affiliated with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), grounds the program in the NASSP/St. Thomas Assessment Center (a program for emerging secondary and elementary administrators).

Learn the foundations of leadership by:

• Meeting the criteria for licensure as K-12 principals or superintendents as specified by the state of Minnesota.
  
• Gaining knowledge and understanding of the foundations of leadership.
  
• Increasing knowledge of content related to administrative practice in education.
  
• Expanding knowledge and understanding of organizational theory related to administrative practice.
  
• Developing skills to analyze and implement administrative policy.
  
• Adding knowledge and understanding of leadership theory.
  
• Developing and implement leadership skills.
  
• Using research skills for program planning, policy analysis and evaluation.