Master of Science in Educational Leadership

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Program is designed to produce leaders who have a deep and broad understanding of academic and organizational management, who seek to be change agents capable of initiating and sustaining positive innovations, and who are reflective learners whose research skills and acquired knowledge base will provide the opportunity for advances in a democratic environment.

A skilled professional in educational leadership often works within a school setting, either as a principal in an elementary or secondary school or in a college setting as a department head. Others may work with local school boards, manage private daycares, administrate government programs, or work as curriculum coordinators for schools or community programs. Individuals with a degree in educational leadership may even go on to work in business administration, public policy or direct programs in medical or correctional facilities.

The University of Atlanta’s curriculum in Educational Leadership has been scrupulously designed to provide comprehensive and balanced study of key areas, among them: contemporary issues in education, theory and practice of educational management, principles and methods of teaching and learning, financial dimensions of the educational process and system, public policy and politics in the educational context, personnel administration within school systems, new technologies in education, the legal aspects of school management, and applied educational research methods. Program participants will gain a refined understanding of action-research, and will be called upon to apply the products of their learning within a variety of contexts and settings, the results of which will be shared with student peers and others and will constitute the basis of extended analytical contributions.

Program Objectives

Prepare for leadership and service within a broad spectrum of educational arenas
Develop a broad, deep understanding of academic and organizational management.
Develop the tools that permit one within the educational arena to act, as appropriate, as an agent of change
Develop the capacity to initiative, implement and sustain significant innovations within the sphere of education.
Prepare to embrace and oversee global, political, social, legal, regulatory, and technological issues as they relate to education.
Hone research skills which will provide the opportunity for advances in a democratic society.
Demonstrate an understanding of economic and business theories which, via critical thinking and systematic, informed analysis, allow for strategic contributions that impact education.
Demonstrate a substantial level of technical skills acquisition – in order to ensure the ability to create an array of documents and to produce data analysis reports, as needed or desirable.
Establish a firm understanding of all aspects of educational management (financial, legal and regulatory, learning and teaching styles, public policy, personnel administration, governmental processes, action research and beyond.
Further hone communicative skills, which underpin the ability to conduct independent research and to formulate documents, reports, and publications that manifest mastery of content and execution

Career Opportunities

The successful graduate will be suitably prepared to assume positions as a skilled professional in educational leadership. Degree holders often work within a school setting, either as a principal in an elementary or secondary school or in a community or senior college setting. Others may work with local school boards, manage private daycares, administrate government programs, or work as curriculum coordinators for schools or community programs. Individuals with a degree in educational leadership may even go on to work in business administration, public policy or direct programs in medical or correctional facilities. With an intense focus on management within all spheres of education and training, the graduate should be well positioned to select suitable opportunities from a broad array of options.