Degree: Master of Education or Master of Arts
Major: Educational Leadership
Hours Required for Degree: 39
Concentrations:

• Elementary School (M.Ed. only)
• High School (M.Ed. only)
• Middle School (M.Ed. only)
• Special Education (M.Ed. only)

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program consists of 39 hours of coursework that is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in educational settings as well as to improve performance of current leaders in educational leadership positions. Program content focuses on the functions of educational leaders and stresses the relationship between tested practice and applied theory. The M.Ed. program prepares students for Educational Leadership certification by the Florida Department of Education. Final program completion is assessed through portfolio assessment for all students.

Modified Program Leading to Educational Leadership Certification (no degree is conferred by FGCU) Students who already have a master’s degree may elect to take a modified program for Educational Leadership certification. This program does not lead to a master’s degree. Beginning July 1, 2008, the State of Florida Department of Education requirements have changed for the preparation of school leaders in university Educational Leadership programs. The Modified Program in Educational Leadership is for students who have a Master’s degree in another field and wish to qualify for certification in Educational Leadership that is granted by the state. The state requires a program that meets the new state standards for Educational Leadership. The only required course will be EDA 6945 Internship in Educational Leadership (6 credit hours). The remaining credit hours in a student’s program will be individualized based on previous student coursework. These hours will be selected from those courses required in the M.Ed. program in Educational Leadership that will provide the student with the required state competencies. This program must be approved by the student’s advisor. Program completion also requires a final portfolio assessment based on the state standards in Educational Leadership and a passing grade on all portions of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE).

M.A. in Educational Leadership program for students not seeking certification. This program is designed for students who are seeking a career in educational leadership in non k-12 school settings. Students typically work in educational or training divisions in business, healthcare, public service institutions. This program is composed of the program core, plus 12 elective credits from other program areas approved by faculty advisors. These electives may be taken from inside or outside the College of Education.