Educational Leadership, MEd (CAGS)

The Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership degree addresses the need for teacher leaders, administrators, and principals in public, charter, online, and private schools to possess conceptual and procedural knowledge that is critical for leading today's schools. This graduate degree is designed to provide professional development for current and aspiring educators and school professionals who already have an established teaching role and are seeking additional leadership skills. The Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree uses the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards and the Colorado Principal Quality standards throughout the curriculum to address the six core standards and dispositions necessary to promote best practices in the field. The Master of Education in Educational Leadership has the option of either licensure or non-licensure track. All courses, with the exception of internship, may be offered online or on-site. Internship coursework requires a site-specific commitment.

Graduates who satisfactorily complete all requirements of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership with Licensure track in the program may apply to the Colorado Department of Education for a principal license. Candidates also meet the requirements for certification by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Objectives of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership Degree Program

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership program provides students with the tools to advance their professional career in education. Master of Education in Educational Leadership program graduates will demonstrate the content knowledge and professional behaviors necessary for successful performance as designated leaders within their district, school, or as teacher leaders. 

The overall program goal is to prepare educational leaders with the knowledge and ability to promote the success of teachers and students in the following ways:

• Communicate a shared vision of learning supported by the school community

• Act with integrity and in a Christ-like manner

• Foster a positive school culture that capitalizes on the school’s diversity

• Ensure high quality curriculum, instruction and assessment practices to support learning for all students

• Develop and design data driven professional growth plans for effective educators and staff

• Maintain a safe and productive learning environment

• Collaborate with families and community members to positively impact student achievement

• Influence the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural environment of the school community

Admission to the Master of Education in Educational Leadership Degree Program

Admission to the MEd in Educational Leadership program is selective. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of professional disposition qualities. Each applicant is carefully evaluated for his or her ability to contribute to the program. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically based community is important.

Admission Requirements

• A completed application form 

• A SEP-required background check

• Valid state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID card or passport

• Minimum two years teaching experience; may be in a public, charter, or private school. Those students wishing to pursue principal licensure must have three years professional licensed experience by the completion of the program.

• Be employed in a PreK-12 school or system during the term of the program.

• An official transcript that reflects a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution

• Interview with a program administrator

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.

Transfer of Courses

Students may transfer up to six (6) semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the CCU Master in Educational Leadership degree requirements.

Coursework applied to the Educational Leadership program must have been earned with a grade of C or better.

Academic Requirements

Students who earn a C- or lower in a graduate education course are required to repeat the course. course, or course, must be completed with a B- or higher.

Time Limitations

All degree program requirements must be completed within four years beginning from the start date of the first education course within the professional core of the program. After the four-year period, a student who has not completed the program requirements will be withdrawn from the program unless an exception to policy request to extend this time limitation is submitted by the student and approved by the program director.  In this case, the student’s CCU transcript will be reviewed by the program director.  At the director’s discretion, if an extension is approved, a program course may have to be retaken if the content of the course has received substantive changes since it was last taken by the student. 

Students who step out of the program for more than 365 days or go beyond the four-year period without an approved extension and wish to complete the program will be required to apply for re-admission. If approved for readmission, the student’s CCU transcript will be reviewed by the program director.  At the director’s discretion, a program course may have to be retaken by the re-admitted student if the content of the course has received substantive changes since it was last taken by the student. Students will be required to adhere to current academic policies, program requirements, tuition, and fees.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.

Additional Information

For additional information about the MEd in Educational Leadership program and graduate courses in education, contact the College of Adult and Graduate Studies, or visit the M.Ed. website at www.ccu.edu/ccu/grad.