The masters program involves 21 credits of core studies and 9 credits of elective studies. For the hybrid program, each semester, we offer classes back-to-back on the same evening for face-to-face weeks in order to maximize learning time and to minimize travel time. The following courses are offered back-to-back:
- Fall semester: EAD 806 The Evolving Practice of School Leaders and EAD 811 Inquiry and Analysis of Teaching and Learning
- Spring semester: EAD 812 Inquiry and Analysis of School Organizations and EAD 852 The Principalship
Program Requirements
Core studies
Core studies (21 credits) challenge students to progressively develop knowledge, skills, and dispositions for effective school-level leadership including:
- Leadership practices responsive to contemporary demands for ambitious instruction, student achievement and school accountability;
- The improvement and management of school organizations;
- The use of inquiry to understand relationships between teaching, learning and school organizations;
- The use of data for formative and summative assessment, planning and decision-making;
- Understanding Michigan school finance policy and the effective allocation of school resources;
- The development of teachers and teacher learning communities;
- The promotion of in-depth understandings of the cultural and social contexts in which students live and learn;
- Personal leadership development through ongoing apprentice learning activities and a year-long internship (designed for working educators);
- Preparing and interviewing for competitive leadership positions.
Elective courses
Beyond core studies, students choose elective courses, through which they develop the knowledge and skills needed for specific career directions, including:
- Leadership for Urban Education
- Policy Studies
- Leading Teacher Learning
- Special Populations
- International Education
- Adult Learning
- Organizational Development
- Multicultural Education
Students who have graduated from MSU’s Teacher Preparation Program are able to transfer graduate-level credits from their internship year in place of two elective courses for the K-12 Educational Administration masters.
A full listing of current courses including dates, times, and room locations is at https://student.msu.edu/search. Choose a semester and EAD Educational Administration.
Program Requirements
Core Courses
EAD 806 The Evolving Practice of School Leaders
3 Credits, Fall Semester, Hybrid Format
EAD 811 Inquiry and Analysis of Teaching and Learning
3 Credits, Fall Semester, Hybrid Format
EAD 812 Inquiry and Analysis of School Organizations
3 Credits, Spring Semester, Hybrid Format
EAD 852 School Principalship
3 Credits, Spring Semester, Hybrid Format
EAD 822 Engaging diverse Students & Families
3 Credits, Summer Semester, Online
EAD 853 Educational Finance and Resource Allocation
3 Credits, Fall Semester, Face-to-Face or
3 Credits, Summer Semester, Online
EAD 820 School Leadership Internship
3 Credits, Fall & Spring Semester, Face-to-Face
(spans across Fall and Spring, but only register in the Fall)
Note: Students with current administrative experience may be eligible for a waiver
Elective Courses
Students select three electives (9 credits total) fitted to their goals and interests, in consultation with their advisors. Elective courses are 3 credits and are offered during various semesters and in various formats.
EAD 801 Leadership and Organization Development
EAD 824 Leading Teacher Learning
EAD 830 Urban Education-Racial Achievement Gap
EAD 850 Multicultural Education
EAD 860 Concepts of a Learning Society
EAD 861 Adult Learning
EAD 863 Training and Professional Development
EAD 864 Adult Career Development
EAD 881 Serving Needs of All Learners
TE 846 Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Note: In consultation with advisors, students can choose other electives, including special topics classes that are frequently offered during summer sessions.
We strive to offer core courses across all three locations (East Lansing, Birmingham, and Detroit) in the semesters specified in the table, but our ability to do so is dependent on enrollment in each section.
Example Program
An example program plan is described below. Note that this is one example of how students might proceed through the masters program, but there is flexibility in course sequence and timeline.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAD 806 | The Evolving Practice of School Leaders | Fall | 3.0 |
| EAD 811 | Inquiry and Analysis of Teaching and Learning | Fall | 3.0 |
| EAD 812 | Inquiry and Analysis of School Organizations | Spring | 3.0 |
| EAD 852 | Principalship | Spring | 3.0 |
| EAD 853 | Educational Finance and Resource Allocation | Summer and Fall | 3.0 |
| EAD 822 | Engaging diverse Students & Families | Summer and Fall | 3.0 |
| EAD 820 | School Leadership Internship | Fall and Spring | 3.0 |
Students select three electives fitted to their goals and interests, in consultation with their advisors. Below are some appropriate electives.
| Course | Title | Offered | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAD 801 | Leadership and Organizational Development (Online) | Varies | 3.0 |
| EAD 824 | Leading Teacher Learning (Online) | Varies | 3.0 |
| EAD 830 | Urban Education: Racial Achievement Gap (Online) | Varies | 3.0 |
| EAD 881 | Serving Needs of All Learners (Online) | Varies | 3.0 |
Note: In consultation with advisors, students can choose other electives, including special topics classes that are frequently offered during summer sessions.