School Leadership Professional Development (M.Ed.)

Front of the Education Building


The SUU Teacher Education department is now partnering with school districts and school leaders who need Professional Development courses through the School Leadership Professional Development Program. Scholarships are available for educational leaders from Title I and Turnaround Schools.

Program Overview

This program is designed for lifelong educational leadership learners. These four certificates provide continuing and ongoing professional development opportunities for all levels of educational leaders. These courses and certificates are designed to provide continued opportunities for educational leaders to hone their interpersonal and educational leadership skills.

The School Leadership Professional Development program provides all school leaders with up to 4 SUU Educational Leadership Certificates.

  • Strategic Stakeholder Operations
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Instructional Leadership
  • Educational, Political, and Community Leadership

The certificates provide learners with the theoretical and practical applications to address the challenges and opportunities that present themselves to educational leaders in today's schools. The content, as well as the excellent professional association with instructors and peer leaders provide excellent lifelong learning opportunities for 21st century educational leaders.

Core Requirements (30 Credits)

EDUC 6540 - Organization of American Schools (3 Credits)

This course provides an in-depth analysis of the function and organization of public schools in America, historical, philosophical, and reform issues are reviewed and how they impact the management, design and accreditation of K-12 education.

EDUC 6920 - Ethics and Philosophical Foundations of Education (3 Credits)

Ethics and Philosophical Foundations of Education This course provides a study of the philosophical foundations of American education as well as a theoretical and practical base from which educational leaders can make informed and ethical decisions in K-12 school settings. Multiple models and processes of critical and creative thinking will be examined and applied to current educational issues.

EDUC 6030 - Principles of Practitioner Research (3 Credits)

The study of current psychological principles of teaching and learning as they apply to positivist and constructivist research paradigms. Principles and techniques for studying one’s professional practice. The use of educational measures for evaluation and planning processes.

EDUC 6930 - Leadership Internship Portfolio Proposal (3 Credits)

The Educational Leadership Internship Proposal provides documentation of USBE-mandated artifacts created in a field experience in a K-12 educational setting under the supervision of a Mentor Principal and an Internship Coordinator. This course is available to admitted graduate students only. Students must first obtain approval from their Program Coordinator and apply for, and be admitted into an Educational Leadership Intern position before registration.

EDUC 6940 - Leadership Internship Portfolio Capstone Project (3 Credits)

The Educational Leadership Internship Portfolio Capstone Project provides documentation for USBE-mandated artifacts created in a capstone field experience in a K-12 educational setting under the supervision of a Mentor Principal and an SUU Internship Coordinator. This course is available to admitted graduate students only. Students must first obtain approval from their Program Coordinator, and apply for and be admitted into an Educational Leadership Intern position before registration.

EDUC 6500 - School Finance (3 Credits)

Offers an exploration of resources used in public school funding. Students learn the basic functions of school finance such as accounting, purchasing, bonding, budgeting, and ethical practice.

EDUC 6740 - School Law (3 Credits)

This course provides an introduction to legal foundations for public education, investigating district policy, state board rule, state and federal statutes, and case law.

EDUC 6560 - Diversity and Social Justice in Education (3 Credits)

Examines educational policy, practice, and materials using a variety of lenses informed by social justice theory and praxis. Investigates ways in which racism, sexism, economic injustice, heterosexism, ageism, and other forms of discrimination influence schools and educational access and opportunity for youth. Considers and practices what educational leaders can do to ensure that all students have equitable educational opportunities.


Capstone Courses (6 Credits)

EDUC 6080 - Leadership and the School Principal (3 Credits)

Theories in instructional leadership, including school vision and management as they apply to the principal’s role, will be explored in the context of leadership in the 21st century.

EDUC 6100 - Practices of Instructional Supervision (3 Credits)

A study of the application of instructional supervisory theories and practices of supervisory behaviors as they relate to improvement of instruction. Directed field experience will be required.

Course Offerings vary by semester and term. If you need a course taught that is not offered this term, please share that with K12Inservice at K12inservice@suu.edu and we will get that offered for you.