Contemporary Educational Leadership
Schools are only as great as the people who come together to lead them. School improvement is a collaborative process requiring leadership practices that build and maintain partnerships, as well as “nuts and bolts” operational management. To create strong schools and communities, you have to believe people can work together to achieve something greater. Learn from a variety of proven leaders in business and academia, and get the skills to connect schools, families, and community organizations.
Learn how to:
- Demonstrate ability to use leadership approaches that promote, build, and maintain partnerships and relationships
- Apply research, theory, and best practices to challenges around partnerships, family engagement, and specific school needs
- Build and maintain relationships that connect school communities through effective communication and leadership skills
- Design partnership interventions to address singular aspects of school improvement
Community-Building Starts in Schools
This Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)-approved program works to realize the vision of MSDE’s Office of Leadership Development and School Improvement to provide “leadership, support, and technical assistance to local school systems to improve school performance and foster the development, growth, and retention of effective leaders.” Our curriculum prepares students to be those effective educational leaders, and realize change at the school and community level.
Coursework examines theory, research, and best practices along with challenges and opportunities that support building a variety of school, family, and community partnerships. You’ll develop leadership skills, as well as create communication and community organizational skills that promote healthy organizational relationships. You’ll also apply theory to practice, using learned program knowledge to design partnership interventions to address a singular school improvement opportunity.
Program Requirements
The program assigns each candidate an advisor to help plan the course schedule throughout your program journey. To graduate with an M.Ed. in Contemporary Educational Leadership, you must complete at least 36 credits:
- Core courses (18 credits)
- Leadership courses (15 credits)
- Research methods course (3 credits)
- Statistics course*
*It's possible to waive this course if you've recently taken a statistics course and earned a grade of B or better.
Core Courses (18 credits)
| Course | credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 646 | 3 | Human Relations and Interpersonal Skills |
| EDUC 655 | 3 | Supervision of Instruction |
| EDUC 701 | 3 | School Law |
| EDUC 705 | 3 | Strategies for Curriculum Development |
| EDUC 707 | 3 | Administration of Education Programs |
| EDUC 667 | 3 | Internship in Education Administration** |
**This internship must be completed under the supervision of a school principal.
Leadership Courses (15 credits)
| Course | credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 660 | 3 | Seminar I - Critical Issues in Contemporary Educational Leadership |
| EDUC 681 | 3 | Building Effective School-Family-Community Relations for Effective Schools |
| EDUC 661 | 3 | Seminar II - Critical Issues in Contemporary Educational Leadership |
| EDUC 583 | 3 | Masters Degree Thesis I |
| EDUC 584 | 3 | Masters Degree Thesis II |
750+ Course Options
The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.
Graduate Education Programs
School Administration I
Contemporary Educational Leadership
Adult and Continuing Education lives in the Department of Instructional Leadership and Instructional Development in the School of Education within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education