School Leadership Professional Development (M.Ed.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.