Graduate Major
A graduate degree in Educational Leadership prepares compassionate, ethically-centered education professionals to become transformative leaders. Students in the program engage research in order to develop decision-making strategies, engage and inform stakeholders, sustain motivation for change and build academic improvement opportunities for all children.
DEGREE OPTIONS
The College of Education offers a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts (MA) in Urban Educational Leadership on the St. Petersburg campus. The M.Ed. is designed for Florida-based educators. International students seeking a graduate degree should apply to the MA in Urban Educational Leadership.
View more information about options on the USF Tampa and Sarasota-Manatee campuses.
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AT USF ST. PETERSBURG
Students in this graduate program will learn relevant knowledge focused on the essential obstacles of schooling, leadership and administrative practices; engage in collaborative relationships; align with quality leadership standards that are informed by current scholarship; and engage in ongoing programmatic evaluation and enhancement.
Students who choose the St. Petersburg campus will benefit from an on-site academic advisor and faculty who can provide guidance to students in the Educational Leadership program. Students enrolled in this program choose from one of three concentrations:
- K-12 Public School Leadership
- Curriculum Leadership
- Urban Leadership
K-12 Public School Leadership
The K-12 Public School Leadership concentration is a Florida state-approved program that provides coursework and internships leading to Florida Level 1 Educational Leadership Certification. Completing coursework and degree requirements, including passage of the Florida Educational Leaders Examination (FELE), fulfills core curriculum requirements for Florida Level I Educational Leadership Certification.
While the program aligns with the Florida Principal Leadership Standards, which emphasize instructional leadership for student learning and achievement, this program also reflects the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program's commitment to equity, excellence, culturally relevant leadership and community partnerships.
Curriculum Leadership
Graduates of this concentration bring leadership skills to curriculum-focused roles in schools, district offices and education-related organizations. The concentration is designed to teach and assess the knowledge, skills and dispositions of effective leadership in curriculum, instruction and professional development for K-12 teachers or other educators. This concentration does not satisfy the requirements for administrator certification.
Urban Leadership
This concentration prepares students to work in urban contexts in and beyond the United States, including metropolitan, inner and outer ring cities. It aims to promote their global awareness of intractable issues plaguing education in densely populated communities through engagement with various leadership frameworks and practices. Students in this major are prepared to influence policy, curriculum, pedagogy, andragogy and professional development with an emphasis on educational quality and equity, whether working in or consulting with ministries, think tanks, non-governmental agencies, boards or departments of education.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A MASTER OF EDUCATION IN LEADERSHIP
Always refer to the Graduate Catalog for degree requirements. Students are urged to consult with the Education advisor to create the most beneficial set of courses.
QUESTIONS?
For questions on applications and advising on the St. Petersburg campus, contact Arleyna Loss at arleyna@usf.edu.