What do the Educational Leadership programs encompass?
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier I Certification)
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) is a new degree program at Thomas University that will lead candidates to Georgia Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership following successful completion of coursework and state assessments for Tier I.
This program is designed for educators interested in pursuing leadership at the school or district level. Thomas University’s M.Ed. in Educational Leadership will equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in leadership roles below the principal level in the local school or in district level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.
The goal of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) program is to develop leadership and management skills through practical, job-embedded, authentic tasks and field experiences that will impact school improvement and create a positive school climate for all stakeholders.
Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification)
The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification) is a new degree program at Thomas University that will lead candidates to Georgia Tier II Certification in Educational Leadership following successful completion of coursework and state assessments for Tier II.
This program is designed for educators who have Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership and are interested in impacting educational change and pursuing higher level leadership at the school or district level. Thomas University’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership will equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in leading a school as a principal or high-level district leader.
The goal of the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership program is to develop effective leadership and management skills through application in an educational leadership setting, rigorous performance-based coursework, and job-embedded tasks that will impact school improvement and create a positive school climate for all stakeholders.
Certificate in Educational Leadership Tier I Certification-Only
The Educational Leadership Tier I Certification-Only is a new add-on certification program at Thomas University that will lead candidates to Georgia Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership following successful completion of coursework and state assessments for Tier I. This program is designed for educators who currently hold a master’s degree and are interested in pursuing leadership at the school or district level.
Thomas University’s Educational Leadership Tier 1 Certification-Only program will equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be successful in leadership roles below the principal level in the local school or in district level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.
The goal of the Educational Leadership Tier 1 Certification-Only program is to develop leadership and management skills through practical, job-embedded authentic tasks, and field experiences that will impact school improvement and create a positive school climate for all stakeholders.
What differentiates Thomas University’s Educational Leadership programs from other schools that offer similar programs?
Thomas University’s M.Ed. program in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification) are designed for working educators in the field because the program can be completed in only five semesters to include coursework and field experience. The Tier I in Educational Leadership certification-only program can be completed in only three semesters to include coursework and field experience leading to Tier I Certification in Educational Leadership.
Also, graduates of Thomas University’s M.Ed or Ed.S. Teacher Leadership Program may transfer six hours from their Teacher Leadership program resulting in the Tier 1 Certification program being completed in just two semesters.
In addition, the programs cater to the schedules of working educators as it takes place in an online format with class meetings online one night every other week, and courses are eight weeks in length. The teaching faculty in the Educational Leadership program are field practitioners with school or district level leadership experience that will link theory and practice and effectively guide candidates through job-embedded tasks that provide opportunities to engage in authentic school improvement initiatives in their own setting.
School partner mentors provide an additional layer of guidance and support throughout the program for each candidate.
Courses will develop expertise and experience in:
- Using data to improve schools
- Instructional leadership for school improvement
- Overseeing effective organizational management
- Engaging in culturally responsive leadership
- Developing teachers and teams
- Overseeing/managing school operations
- Communicating/collaborating with stakeholders
- Leading with a social, emotional, and cultural lens
In addition, the program is designed to take place with a cohort of colleagues allowing for rich learning experiences and collaboration for the duration of the degree program.
How will these programs help educators during this time of COVID and post-COVID teaching? How will it better prepare them for today’s education challenges?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the landscape of education resulting in long-term impact requiring different skillsets for educational leaders during this time of COVID and post-COVID teaching.
Thomas University’s Educational Leadership programs will equip candidates with these important skills which include building trust with their communities through effective engagement and collaboration, providing support for students, families, and staff members’ social and emotional needs while also creating an inspiring and motivating school environment while leading with a culturally responsive lens.
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Tier 1 Certification) program provides a critical skillset for educational leaders during this time of the pandemic because it focuses on the intentional integration of social-emotional learning across courses with a focus on improving student achievement by addressing student gaps and accelerating learning.
The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (Tier II Certification) program centers on leading from a culture of care with a focus on improving student achievement by addressing student gaps and accelerating learning in a culturally responsive manner focused on equity.
The Tier I Certification-Only program centers on the intentional integration of social-emotional learning across courses with a focus on improving student achievement by addressing student gaps and accelerating learning.
What career opportunities are available to students who graduate from these programs?
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership degree for Tier I Certification
- Assistant Principal
- Associate Principal
- District Coordinator
- Other district level leadership positions
Ed.S. in Educational Leadership degree for Tier II Certification
- Principal
- District Director
- Assistant Superintendent
- Superintendent
- Other high-level district level leadership positions
Tier I in Educational Leadership Certification-Only
- Assistant Principal
- Associate Principal
- District Coordinator
- Other district level leadership positions
Why should a prospective student choose these programs?
Prospective students who are looking to advance their careers into leadership in education should choose the educational leadership programs at Thomas University because they are designed for working educators to receive the skillsets needed to be successful through practical job-embedded authentic tasks guided by practitioners and mentors and focused on the critical skills needed for leading schools during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These practical experiences coupled with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required of educational leaders during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic will result in Thomas University Educational Leadership candidates being highly sought after by districts.