Educational leadership
Education Specialist, Educational Leadership
Lead change
Prepare to become a district superintendent ready to direct change, lead technology integration and encourage student achievement with the Education Specialist, Educational Leadership degree in educational leadership.
You may have been an educator for several years and have experience developing lesson plans and interacting with students and their guardians. Now you seek to support others by stepping into a director or administrative position. University of Idaho’s program outlines a path toward your goal.
Building off your master’s degree, the Ed.S.Ed.Ldrshp. in educational leadership aligns with state competencies for school principals and superintendents. Once enrolled, you’ll acquire a leadership mindset and essential skills for enacting and influencing policy, developing new initiatives and shepherding schools and their communities — toward educational equity, academic success and a love of learning.
You’ll learn to contribute to the conversation around educational leadership from local to national levels. The program’s curriculum touches on key theories, ethics and state standards, plus strategies for creating long-term plans and strengthening relationships with the surrounding neighborhood, town or city. Become a more culturally knowledgeable educator who’s ready to handle staff or community disputes, plan and maintain new facilities and manage finances in relation to resources and productivity. At the same time, you’ll explore ideas rooted in psychology and sociology to discover your leadership style and gain a clear understanding of what schools and districts expect of their superintendent.
Program fast facts:
- Prepare to become a district superintendent, program administrator or classroom educator.
- Earn a total of 60 credit hours between your Ed.S. and master’s degrees. The program involves a two-semester internship, and no thesis is required.
- Completing the Ed.S. degree in Educational Leadership makes you eligible to sit for the Standard Administrative Certificate with a principal, special education director and superintendent endorsement.
- We’re a statewide leader of educational leadership: for 30 years, graduates from the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences have shaped classrooms and school districts across the state of Idaho.
- Approved by the state of Idaho and CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation).
- Available online, on campus or in a mix of formats.
- Rolling admissions mean you can apply for the next available semester at any time.
Overview
Related Topics
Educate and elevate
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Have an academic and professional background in education
- Have a desire to make positive changes in education
- Possess strong leadership and communication skills
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,428 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and starting salaries
- Postsecondary Education Teachers
$48,689 - Education Administrators for Elementary and Secondary Schools
$84,410 - Postsecondary Education Administrators
$67,185 - Education Administrators for Preschool and Childcare Programs
$40,893
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but U of I’s Financial Aid Office is here to help. Our experienced financial aid counselors can assist you in exploring financial aid options, making informed financial decisions and addressing common concerns.
For information on FAFSA deadlines, financial aid types and eligibility requirements, visit the University of Idaho Financial Aid Office website.
Plan ahead—estimate your cost of attendance with U of I’s Cost Calculator.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Hands-on learning
The educational leadership program emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning for reinforcing new concepts. You’ll do this through an internship, where you’ll observe and learn from a practicing administrator in an elementary or secondary school or district office.
Application information
Applicants for the Ed.S.Ed.Ldrshp. program must meet the following admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS: 79/6.5
- Number of references: 3
- Other requirements: Yes
- Writing sample: Provide ONE professional sample (thesis, journal article, term paper or handbook, etc.) previously completed by you.
- Prior degree requirement: The Educational Leadership Ed.S. requires for admission the achievement of a prior master's degree in a related field of education. If you do not meet this requirement, please switch your degree selection to Educational Leadership M.Ed.
- Letters of recommendation: Demonstrated support for your potential as an eventual school administrator is one of the criteria for admission into the Educational Leadership Program. Please include at least one Letter of Recommendation from a recent supervisor such as a principal or superintendent.
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Note: Due to the nature of this program, immigration regulations prohibit students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa admission to this program. Other visa categories may be eligible to study in the U.S.
Contact the International Programs Office for rules governing enrollment while in the U.S. prior to application submission.