Application Deadline for the Fall 2013 Cohort is May 1, 2013
The Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership (Higher Education Specialization) is designed to prepare candidates for leadership positions in private PK-12 residential schools and in public and private colleges and universities, in areas such as development, Student Affairs, admissions, human resources, and residential life. It is also designed for leaders of non-profit agencies whose mission is related to education. The curriculum is designed in accordance with national professional standards and empirical evidence on effective educational leadership. Extensive field experience in which students immediately apply their learning is a key component of the program.
The Southern Methodist University M. Ed. in Educational Leadership is based on a Conceptual Framework developed on research-based principles of effective leadership. The foundational principles are to prepare educational leaders for positions in they will provide support in one or more of the following areas:
- Organizational Leadership: Identifying, implementing, and sustaining effective organizational practices
- Academic Leadership: Supporting the selection and development of appropriate curriculum
- Information Leadership: Interpreting and evaluating research evidence when making decisions
- Faculty and Staff Effectiveness: Recruiting, developing and supporting effective educators
To this end, the program offers the following unique features:
- Multidisciplinary field-based projects (internship experiences) integrated throughout the program, with projects that mirror the responsibilities of leaders in higher education;
- Input from other programs that provide related essential content (e.g., Cox School of Business, Dedman School of Law);
- Quarter system enabling students to complete the M.Ed. program in 2 years while continuing full-time employment or pursuing a graduate assistantship; and
- Courses based on the competencies established by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA), and the Council for Advancement Standards (CAS), the leading comprehensive student affairs associations.
Through academic courses of study in leadership, instructional programming, resource management, legal and ethical issues, and student life, as well as field-based learning opportunities and internships, students prepare to serve in leadership roles in private PK-12 residential schools, public and private colleges and universities or non-profit agencies. Courses are based on the competencies established by the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and the CAS (Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education).
Program Structure
This 45-hour degree program is designed to be completed in 2 years for full-time enrollment. Program delivery is organized into two 7-week modules per semester during the regular academic year. Each module consists of two 2-hour courses. One course within each semester is a field studies course. Each of the academic courses will assign field-based projects to be completed in the field studies course. For students who would prefer to pursue the program on a part-time basis, a three year option is available.
Classes meet for approximately 4.5 hours on Monday and Thursday evenings and during the regular academic terms. Students will take coursework in the summer between the first and second years, which may include an optional international trip to Europe.
Cost
SMU offers a reduced tuition rate for this program. For the 2013-2014 school year, the special rate is $812 per credit hour and departmental scholarships are available for applications received by the preferential deadline. Information on the Office of Financial Aid at SMU is available at http://smu.edu/Financial_Aid/
Are you an SMU employee interested in this program? Tuition benefits through Human Resources are available.
Faculty
Michael S. Harris, Ed.D. (University of Pennsylvania) Associate Professor and Program Director
Michael K. McLendon, Ph.D. (University of Michigan) Professor and Associate Dean
Lori S. White, Ph.D. (Stanford University) Vice President of Student Affairs and Clinical Professor
For More Information
E-Mail: highered@smu.edu