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Masters Degree in Educational Leadership

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Teacher Education
Master of Educational Leadership​

Online​ ​

Downtown Location​

 

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Educational Leadership

 

Masters Degree in Educational Leadership

 

The Master of Educational Leadership (MEDL) degree program at University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is specifically designed to prepare K-12 educational leaders to better meet modern demands. America needs transformative leaders in K-12 education whose passion for quality and equity is matched by a firsthand knowledge of effective leadership strategies for learning and development, a firm grasp of school regulations at the federal, state, and local levels, and the organizational management skills to translate visionary ideas into overall school improvement.

About the Program

The University of Houston-Downtown Master in Educational Leadership program was created by UHD faculty to support teachers seeking to advance to leadership positions in their educational institutions. Graduates will be able to understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to: 1. Collaboratively lead, design, and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities that include data use, technology, equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community. 2. Understand and demonstrate the capacity to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms. 3. Engage families, community, and school personnel to strengthen student learning, support school improvement, and advocate for the needs of their school and communities. 4. Improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies, and regulations. 5. Build the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning. 


The MEDL program is designed for students currently holding a teaching certificate and working towards principal certification. The courses for the MEDL degree program are taught in an online delivery format with interactive online sessions as scheduled by the instructor and are complemented by a full practicum experience.

Courses/Curriculum

(30 credit hours to complete degree)

10 Required Courses
 • EDL 5310 Introduction to School Leadership
• EDL 5320 School, Family & Community Engagement
• EDL 5330 School Law & Ethics
• EDL 5340 Educational Systems & Talent Management
• EDL 6350 Leading Teaching & Learning
• EDL 6360 School Culture & Communication
• EDL 6370 Action Research for School Improvement I
• EDL 6375 Action Research for School Improvement II
• EDL 6380 Educational Leadership Internship I
• EDL 6390 Educational Leadership Internship II

In congruence with state principal certification requirements, students seeking principal certification through the MEDL degree will be provided the foundation for the skills and knowledge required to prepare for:

 Principal as Instructional Leader (TExES 268)

Certification Examination Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL 368)

*Fall and Spring courses are taught consecutively for 8 weeks each. Summer courses are 5 weeks in duration. EDL 6380 and 6390 span the full semester in which they are offered.

Visit
 uhd.edu/medl
for more information

Earning Potential

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the national median salary for:

  • School Superintendent:
    $127,310
  • School Principal:
    $98,420
  • Postsecondary Education Administrator:
    $96,910
  • Postsecondary Teacher:
    $79,640
  • Instructional Coordinator:
    $63,740

Next Steps

Applicants must complete and submit all of the following:
  • Apply for Admissions online via:
    APPLY TEXAS
  • Submit your $35 application fee.
  • Request /submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. If applicable, transcript(s) must reflect any earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited university and any earned graduate credit.
  • Provide a personal statement of 700-words minimum indicating that Educational Leadership is the area of interest and how educational and professional background will contribute to success in this program.
  • Two years of creditable teaching experience needed before the end of the MEDL program to be eligible to apply for a Principal Certificate in Texas.
  • Internship agreement letter from a building-level administrator
  • Provide TOEFL/IELTS scores (for international and/or non-native English speaking applicants).

Submit all required documents one of two ways:

Email: 
gradadmissions@uhd.edu

Mail:
Office of Admissions, Graduate Admissions University of Houston-Downtown One Main Street, Suite GSB 308 Houston, TX 77002-1001