Educational Leadership Program Overview
- Program Overview
- Masters/Principal Prep
- Superintendent Prep
- Doctoral Program
- Application Process
- Additional Information
Overview
The Educational Leadership program at Montana State University is nationally accredited by TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council) as well as by the Montana Board of Public Education. The focus of the program is to prepare K-12 school principals and school superintendents to effectively serve Montana communities and rural communities throughout the Northern Plains and Northern Rocky Mountain region of the United States.
Three levels of academic degrees are offered
In addition, two post-masters certifications are offered
Those students completing the degree requirements for the M.Ed. will also have met the academic requirements necessary for a Montana Class 3 Administrative license with a K-12 Principal Endorsement. Those students completing the degree requirements for the Ed.S. or Ed.D. will also have met the academic requirements necessary for a Montana Class 3 Administrative license with a Superintendent endorsement. Additionally, non-degree Principal and Superintendent Preparation programs are available for those students who already hold a Master’s degree in Education and qualify for a Montana Class I Teaching License.
All options in the Educational Leadership program are offered using a combination of delivery methods. Online courses are delivered completely via distance technology and hybrid courses use a combination of distance delivery and face to face meetings. The structure of the course will detemine the delivery methods employed. For example, the M.Ed. principal preparation coursework is delivered almost completely online using distance delivery methods during the school year while its summer courses are blended with two weeks of face to face instruction. On the other hand, the Ed.D. program courses are usually blended such that the class meets for face to face instruction one weekend a month and online during the weeks in between meetings.
K-12 Principal Cohort
This program of study has been developed to prepare effective K-12 principals. Using a hybrid delivery model, it seeks to meet the needs of students unable to routinely visit the Bozeman campus or those seeking the convenience of online learning. Courses will be delivered using distance educational methods during the school year and some instructors may require students to attend a face to face instructional session held in conjunction with various administrator association meetings once during the semester. During the summer, students will meet on the Bozeman campus for two full weeks of face to face instruction. The face to face instruction will usually take place during the latter weeks of June.
Rural Leadership Cohort
The Rural Leadership Cohort seeks to prepare effective leaders to work in rural communities. Principal licensure and Superintendent licensure courses are blended into a curriculum designed to best prepare school leaders in single administrator school districts located throughout Montana and the Northwest region of the United States.
Successful candidates will graduate with a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and licensure as a K-12 Montana principal, and will also be eligible for superintendent licensure, upon meeting state experiential requirements. Students for this program are selected during the admissions process and invited to join the program. Selection criteria include an expressed interest in rural leadership and/or experience working in rural schools. Those interested in being selected for this program should clearly indicate their interest in rural education in the self-nomination letter, highlight rural education experiences in their resume’, and/or seek a letter of recommendation from a rural school leader.
Billings Cohort
This program of study was developed for aspiring leaders who currently live in the Billings area. Courses are held on the MSU-Billings Campus weekly during each semester of the school year using a face to face delivery model. During the summer, courses are offered in two 2-week sessions.
Post-Masters Principal Licensure
Students who have already earned a Master’s Degree in Education may be able to complete the academic requirements for licensure as a K-12 principal in as few as 27 credits compared to the 36 credits required for M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Students selecting this option must be admitted into the Educational Leadership program and will begin their studies with a K-12 principal cohort.
Board of Public Education/OPI Internship
Students who have been hired into a school administrative position in Montana requiring an administrative license, but have not met the academic requirements for a Class 3 license; may be eligible for Class 5 license which will allow them to practice as an administrator while obtaining the required coursework. While holding a Class 5 license they must be enrolled in a Board of Public Education/OPI Internship program and be supervised by a university faculty member licensed at the appropriate level. Candidates interested in the Board of Public Education/OPI Internship need to contact Gerry Pease at (406) 994-5655 or Gerald.Pease@montana.edu.
Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S)
The Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S.) is a practitioner’s degree. Many states require this degree for Superintendent licensure, however, Montana does not. Thus, this degree is particularly valuable for students who see themselves working in other states during their superintendent career. Admission into the Educational Leadership program is required.
Overview of Program Delivery
The purpose of the degree is to provide skills and knowledge required for the position of district superintendent. In addition to improving skill and knowledge, it is the goal of the program to create strong networks among students to support effective practices. To that end, classes are generally offered in a blended format which combines face-to-face delivery and distance delivery. An appropriate balance of theory and practice is a strong consideration in planning for the content of the classes
| Core | ||
| EDLD 610 | Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 credits |
| EDLD 620 | The School Superintendent | 3 credits |
| EDLD 630 | Supervision and Instructional Leadership | 3 credits |
| EDLD 645 | Personnel Management in Education | 3 credits |
| EDLD 650 | Resource Management: Finance and Facilities | 3 credits |
| EDLD 655 | Legal and Policy Studies | 3 credits |
| EDLD 657 | Politics and Policy | 3 credits |
| EDLD 594 | Special Topics in Leadership | 3 credits |
| EDLD 643 | 3 credits | |
| Field Experience (Field experience may be waived based on experience and goals) | ||
| EDLD 574 | Field Experience | 3 credits | Comprehensive Portfolio |
| EDLD 564 | Comprehnesive Portfolio | 3 credits |
Students will develop a comprehensive portfolio to demonstrate their competency in each of the ISLLC standards. |
||
| Total Required Credits | 30-33 | |
| Advisor and Committee | ||
| Candidates will have a 3 member committee. Candidates should work closely with their chair to prepare a program of study immediately upon admission to the program. | ||
Course Overview
| EDLD 610 | Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 |
| EDLD 620 | The School Superintendent | 3 |
| EDLD 630 | Supervision and Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDLD 645 | Personnel Management | 3 |
| EDLD 650 | Resource Management: Finance and Facilities | 3 |
| EDLD 655 | Legal and Policy Studies | 3 |
| EDLD 574 | Superintendent Field Experience | 3 |
| EDLD 564 | Comprehensive Portfolio | 3 |
Total Core |
24 | |
| Support Area: | 6 | |
| Total Credits Required Beyond the Masters Degree | 30 | |
Post-Masters Superintendent Licensure
This is a post-master’s program. Although formal admission into the Educational Leadership program is not required, candidates must hold a master’s degree and principal endorsement as a prerequisite for taking courses within this option. The Post-Masters Superintendent Licensure Option provides the academic requirements needed for a Superintendent endorsement to those currently holding a Class 3 License with any of the three types of Principal endorsement.
| Candidates with secondary (5-12) principal endorsement: | ||
| EDLD 524 | Instructional Leadership in the Elementary School Offered every fall semester |
3 credits |
| EDLD 574 | Field Experience in the Elementary School Offered every semester |
3 credits |
| Candidates with elementary (K-8) principal endorsement: | ||
| EDLD 525 | Instructional Leadership in theSecondary School Offered every spring semester |
3 credits |
| EDLD 574 | Field Experience in theSecondary School Offered every semester |
3 credits |
All candidates are required to complete 12 credits of post-masters courses. |
||
| EDLD 620 | The School Superintendent Offered spring semester in even years (2012, 2014, 2016) and every summer |
3 credits |
| EDLD 645 | Personnel Management in Education Offered fall semester in even years (2012, 2014, 2016) and every summer |
3 credits |
| EDLD 650 | Resource Management: Finance and Facilities Offered fall semester in odd years (2011, 2013, 2015) and every summer |
3 credits |
| EDLD 655 | Legal and Policy Studies Offered spring semester in odd years (2011, 2013, 2015) and every summer |
3 credits |
Courses are offered in a hybrid format. During the academic year, the courses are delivered using distance delivery technology with a face-to-face meeting held in conjunction with a state-level administrator conference. During the summer the courses are offered using distance delivery with 3 days of face-to-face meetings on campus. The summer courses start with online instruction about mid-June and face-to-face instruction is held in July.
Doctor in Education (Ed.D.)
Course Requirements
| The Doctoral Core | Credits | |
| EDLD 610 | Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 |
| EDLD 630 | Supervision and Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDCI 508 | Psychology of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDLD 643 | Leading Social Justice | 3 |
| EDLD 657 | Policy and Politics | 3 |
| SPED 610 | Professional and Legal Issues in Special Education | 3 |
| Superintendent Certification Required Courses | ||
| EDLD 620 | The School Superintendent | 3 |
| EDLD 645 | Personnel Management in Education | 3 |
| EDLD 650 | Resource Management: Finance and Facilities | 3 |
| EDLD 655 | Legal and Policy Studies | 3 |
| EDLD 574 | Field Experience (may be waived based on experience and goals) | 1-6 |
| Research Required Core | ||
| EDCI 502 | Advanced Educational Statistics | 3 |
| EDCI 507 | Qualitative Methods for Educational Research | 3 |
| EDCI 607 | Quantitative Educational Research | 3 |
| EDCI 608 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| EDLD 690 | Dissertation | 11-14 |
Total Credits |
53 | |
Doctoral Cohort 2010 Course Schedule
| YEAR | FALL | SPRING | SUMMER |
| 2010 - 2011 | EDLD 610 Lead. and Org Theory | EDLD 630 Sup & Inst Lead | EDCI 508 Psych. of Teaching & Learning EDLD 643 Leading Social Justice |
| 2011 - 2012 | EDLD 580-2 Politics & Policy | EDCI 502 Advanced Stats | SPED 510 Prof. & Legal Issues in SPED Superintendent Cert. Courses (12 - 15) Credits |
| 2012 - 2013 | EDCI 607 Quantitative Research | EDCI 507 Qualitative Research | EDLD 608 Advanced Research Methods |
| 2013 - 2014 | EDLD 690
Prop and Comp. Exams (3) Credits |
EDLD 690
Data Collection & Analysis (3) Credits |
EDLD 690
Data Reporting and Findings (2) Credits |
| 2014 | EDLD 690
Dissertation Defense (3) Credits |
* Students should plan to complete their dissertation in one to three years after completing coursework. Dissertations must be completed within 10 years of beginning the program or 5 years after passing the comprehensive exams.
Course Descriptions
View complete course descriptions for Educational Leadership Doctoral Program coursework.Key Dates
Department of Education Admission Deadlines:
These are the preferred application deadline dates by which all of the application materials must be at the Department of Education, Graduate Programs Office. *Note - By submitting materials by the preferred deadline, accepted students will be eligible for Graduate Teaching Assistantships and early registration.
- Fall Semester: May 1st
- Spring Semester: November 1st
- Summer Semester: May 1st
These are the absolute application deadline dates. If an applicant is unable to submit all application materials to the Graduate Program Office by the preferred dates listed above, he or she can submit the materials by the date listed below, as there will be a second review.
- Fall Semester: August 15th
- Spring Semester: January 2nd
- Summer Semester: May 15th
The Graduate School - Policies and Procedures:
Program Video
Click to see the doctoral program video
Additional Information
- Access the web at Department of Education
- Graduate Programs Office
406-994-6786, Email
For further information on registration, contact the Registrars Office, 101 Montana Hall, P. O. Box 172660, Bozeman, MT 59717-2660, (406) 994-2601, Registrar's Email.
Graduate students should consult with their advisor before each registration to plan courses in accordance with the graduate program. Students are assessed late fees for registration after regular registration days.
The dates for registration each semester are published in the MSU On-Line Catalog which is printed prior to registration and is available from the Registrar's Office or on-line by accessing the MSU home page at http://www.montana.edu.
Future registration deadlines may be found at http://www.montana.edu/gradstudies.
Before the beginning of each semester, the Admission Office mails acceptance letters to new students who have been accepted for admission, and the Registrar's Office mails letters to former students who have submitted Intent to Register forms. A continuing student in good standing will receive registration times and access information from academic departments. Information on registration and course offerings is also provided in the MSU Graduate On-line Catalog.
For further information on registration, contact the Registrars Office, 101 Montana Hall, P. O. Box 172660, Bozeman, MT 59717-2660, (406) 994-2601, Email.
Application Materials for Educational Leadership Programs
Students will be admitted into a program for summer semester and are expected to take coursework in the sequence outlined in the course offerings found elsewhere on this site. Developing a learning community is a critical aspect of principal preparation. To enhance the development of a learning community among the students and to facilitate learning by offering an integrated curriculum, upon admission, students will be placed into the cohort they have selected and will matriculate together.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR ALL PROGRAMS IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP!
Transfer Credits
Transfer credits are defined as credits coming from an outside institution or credits taken in non- degree status at MSU. A total of nine (9) transfer credits can be applied to a degree seeking graduate Program of Study. All eligible credits to be transferred are subject to approval by the student’s graduate committee, graduate department, and The Graduate School.
Transfer of credits is governed by the Graduate School Policies and Procedures. Full detail regarding credit transfer can be found at:
http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/cat_trans_credits.html
Professional Standards for School Leaders
Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC)
- A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision.
- A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
- A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
- A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
- A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity and fairness, and in an ethical manner.
- A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
Degree Process
The major steps in the process include:
- Complete the application materials. (We can send those to you if you are ready.) Also see Admission Procedures.
- Acceptance by the Division of Graduate Education. (There is a committee within the Ed Leadership Unit that reviews the applications and recommends acceptance or rejection. A temporary chairperson/advisor will be assigned.)
- Begin taking courses that fit into the outlined program.
- Select a permanent chairperson for your committee.
- With the chairperson, work out the details of your program and select two (masters) or four (doctorate) committee members. Submit the Program of Study and Committee form for approval.
- When the course work is near to being completed, take a written comprehensive examination (8 hrs masters or 20 hrs doctorate). For doctoral students, the written comps are followed by a 2-hour oral clarification meeting with the committee.
For Doctoral Students only:
- Develop a research topic with your chairperson and prepare a research proposal.
- Meet with your entire committee to seek approval of the proposal.
- Complete the research and write up the dissertation.
- Defend the dissertation before your committee and any faculty members who choose to attend.
All programs in educational administration require a practical experience (internship/field experience) to provide real life opportunities to implement, adapt, and/or confirm leadership theories. Field experiences are adapted to each participant's needs and situation, and can be categorized as MSU or Doctorate/Superintendent.
OPI Internships are for persons working on a Master's Degree in educational leadership while concurrently assigned to a school district administrative position for which they are not yet certified. This program provides temporary full certification. More intensive supervision from MSU requires some costs to be paid by the district and/or intern. Interns are assigned a mentor, collaborate with that person and a University supervisor, and complete a variety of assignments for the University supervisor.
MSU field experience courses are designed for persons at the master's level who are seeking principal certification. The field experience involves a set of required and optional experiences in which students participate, keep logs, and report to an on-site supervisor/mentor and to an MSU coordinator/supervisor.
Doctoral and Superintendent certification field experiences are uniquely designed for participants in view of their needs and situations.
Field Experience Requirements (EDLD 574)
- Field Experience is one of the final experiences in the graduate education leadership program at Montana State University - Bozeman. It is designed to provide students who have finished or who have nearly finished their program to experience what it is like to provide leadership at the district level. It is an opportunity to apply and further develop leadership and administrative knowledge and skills under the guidance of a certified school leader/administrator in a site outside of the university environment.
- Prerequisites:
- EDLD 574 Field Experience
- EDLD 610 Leadership and Organizational Theory
- EDLD 620 The School Superintendent
- EDLD 630 Supervision and Instructional Leadership
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cohort and when do principal preparation cohorts start?Application materials for admission into a principal preparation cohort should be submitted by 1 March. Our principal preparation cohorts, a group of students that proceed through the program as a group, begin each summer around mid-May.
A limited number of students may be admitted into the principal preparation program during fall and spring semester provided a sound reason exists for an exception. Candidates seeking an exception should contact Dr. Bill Ruff by email, wruff@montana.edu, or phone, 406 994 4182, to discuss the issue.
Do I need to be admitted into the principal licensure program even if I already have a Master's degree and wish to complete the program as a non-degree student?Yes, all students seeking to take principal licensure coursework need to be admitted to the program prior to completing their second semester of courses. Ideally, students should be admitted into the principal licensure program prior to taking coursework.
Do I need to apply for admission into the superintendent licensure program?No, there are no admission review requirements for students entering into the superintendent preparation program with the exception that students registering for the superintendent courses must have completed an accredited principal preparation program.
Where do I get the Advisor/Alternate PIN needed for course registration each semester?You may get the Advisor/Alternate PIN needed to register for graduate courses from the Graduate Administrative Assistant. You can contact the Graduate Administrative Assistant at edgrad@montana.edu or 994-6786, to obtain the appropriate PIN number.
What is the Rural Education Leadership Cohort?The Rural Education Leadership Cohort emerged from a partnership with the MSU Educational Leadership faculty and the Montana Rural Education Association. Its purpose is to prepare effective administrators in leading rural, often single administrator, schools throughout Montana. The program offers principal and superintendent licensure courses such that upon completion of the program students are academically eligible for licensure with both K-12 Principal and School Superintendent endorsements.
Admissions TestingNo admissions tests are required for entry into the Master's degree or Educational Specialist programs in Educational Leadership. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) is required for all students requesting admission into the Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership.
How are advisors assigned?
Advisors are full time faculty members in the Educational Leadership program that monitor and facilitate a student's progress, ensure the student takes the courses appropriate to his or her goals, advocate for the individual student, and serves as Chair of the student's Graduate Committee. An Advisor is assigned to each student at the time of admission; however, the student may select his or her advisor when completing the program of study. NOTE: Students selecting an advisor different from the faculty member initially assigned need to obtain the faculty member's permission before listing them as an advisor.
When do I submit my Program of Study?The Program of Study is a listing of courses that the student will need to take to be graduated and/or recommended for administrative licensure. It needs to be completed by the student and submitted to their advisor by the end of the student's second semester of enrollment into the program. The form may be obtained from the Graduate School website under the heading of "forms." The required courses for your program option are listed elsewhere on this website by cohort.
