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Strategic Educational Leadership (Certificate, M.Ed.,Ed.S., Ed.D.)

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Home/National College of Education/Programs/Educational Leadership Programs/Ed.D/M.Ed/Ed.S. Strategic Educational Leadership
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About the Strategic Educational Leadership Program (Certificate, M.Ed.,Ed.S., Ed.D.)

The Strategic Educational Leadership (SEDL) program guides you in developing theoretical and real-world knowledge to become a leader who institutes change within organizations whose missions include teaching and learning, training, curriculum and learning design and other learning functions.

The program develops leaders who plan the work and learning, lead teams, train personnel, monitor workloads, coach development, promote diversity, resolve conflicts, solve problems, and communicate with a variety of organizational stakeholders. These complex, advanced leadership skills originate within the discipline of strategic leadership, which studies and develops the knowledge, competencies, and dispositions needed for effectively guiding and developing people and organizations. Strategic leadership is a learned set of capabilities that enable skilled workers to grow into upper levels of jobs that involve strategic planning, goal-setting, instructional design, performance supervision, and outcomes assessment. 

National Louis University’s Strategic Educational Leadership program teaches and credentials graduate leadership candidates in four progressive graduate levels, Certificate, M.Ed., Ed.S., and culminating in the Doctorate (Ed.D.) The SEDL program is scaffolded within the levels in order to provide individualized pathways to a graduate leadership credential for professionals with prior degrees at the bachelor’s or graduate levels.

Who is the program for?

The Strategic Educational Leadership major is designed for ambitious professionals working in a wide variety of organizations who aspire to add a graduate-level leadership credential to their content expertise documenting advanced capacities to create leadership vision, apply productive systemic thinking, cultivate a constructive organizational climate, lead high-performing teams, embrace diversity and inclusion, manage conflict, and produce continuously improving performance results.  

What will the program prepare you to do?

Flexible in its design, the Strategic Educational Leadership major empowers you to set your own goals, personalize course choices and work with diverse faculty across disciplines to achieve your leadership career objectives. The program has four themes that run through the major that prepare you in: (1) leadership theory and practice; (2) curriculum design and data fluency; (3) diversity, equity, inclusion; and (4) resource use in education. Through this program, you will optimize your leadership development and assist you in applying the fundamentals of leading and learning to your own area of interest.

What does the program lead to?

All levels of the major culminate in a leadership project or dissertation (Ed.D.) where you identify, explore, analyze and develop solutions to a problem of practice or challenge in your own or other external organization. It is true that securing an advanced degree is an investment, but it is one that will enhance your resume and can result in a higher salary.

The Strategic Educational Leadership major prepares graduates at all levels, Certificate to Educational Doctorate, to work in learning leader positions and organizations such as:

  • PK-12 educational settings
  • Not for profit organizations
  • Education and research organizations
  • Academic medical centers
  • Health Care Organizations
  • Higher education
  • Criminal justice
  • Libraries
  • Educational consulting (various industries)
  • Government and the military
  • Museums
  • Curriculum and assessment development publishing
  • Instructional Coordinator
  • Chief Learning or Academic Officer
  • Policy maker or advocate
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND DETAILS

Program Tracks/Options:

 

Student Spotlight

Amrita Ganguly, 2023 Certificate in Strategic Educational Leadership (SEDL)

“The SEDL graduate certificate program gave me a rich and wonderful experience. I gained a solid understanding of the roles and responsibilities of educational leaders and the significance of strategic planning, goal-setting, and instructional design needed for organizations to function effectively. I highly recommend that all prospective educational leaders consider the SEDL certificate program, as it will equip you with the knowledge and skills to help you become strong and exemplary leaders in your respective educational organizations.”

 

Enrollment Options, Course Formats, and Start Dates

Strategic Educational Leadership students at any level (Certificate, M.Ed., Ed.S. and Ed.D.) can begin in the program at any time or term (fall, winter, spring & summer).

The curriculum for the major is delivered in an online modality, supplemented with synchronous remote sessions. All foundational courses are guaranteed to be offered in Virtual Campus modality. Some electives may be offered in a blended or in person modality and not available online.

Students in all levels complete the same four foundational courses and are encouraged to complete these within the first few terms of enrollment as they form the framework for the themes of the major.

EDL 517: Leadership Concepts and Applications in Education 2 semester hours Leadership Theory and Practice theme
EDL 520: Leading in Diverse Schools/Settings 2 semester hours Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
EDL 525: Decision-Making for Educational Systems and Organizations 2 semester hours Curriculum Design and Data Fluency
LDR 526: Realizing Vision Through Technological, Human and Financial Resources 2 semester hours Resource Use in Education

As the Strategic Educational Leadership major is developed to be flexible and allow for student choice and interest, there are numerous major electives and a diverse list of general electives for students to choose from to guide their program goals.

Electives for the M.Ed. and Certificate

Leadership Theory and Practice Theme

  • BUS 576 Entrepreneurship Creativity and Innovation (3 SH)
  • BUS 577 Small Business Management (3 SH)
  • BUS 598 Entrepreneurship Laboratory (3 SH)
  • DTE 500 Strength-Based Leadership (3 SH)***
  • DTE 501 Innovation through Empathy (3 SH)***
  • DTE 502 Ideation and Communication (3 SH)***
  • ECE 521 Writing & Effective Communication for Early Childhood Education Administration (1 SH)
  • ECE 538 Early Childhood Administration/Individual & Organizational Perspectives (2 SH)
  • ECE 540 Grants writing & Fundraising for Early Childhood Programs (2 SH)
  • ECE 544 Early Childhood Environments & Facilities Management (2 SH)
  • EDL 512 Communication & Technological Skills for Ed Leadership (3 SH)
  • EDL 522 Leading Student-Centered Schools (2 SH)
  • EPS 526 Organizational Theory, Group Dynamics & Leadership Applications (0.5-3 SH)
  • OBD 515 Training and Development (3 SH)
  • OBD 533 Organizational Effect and Development (3 SH) OBD 550 Culture of Learning Organizations (3 SH)
  • PJM 520 Project Management Applications (3 SH)
  • LSE 575 Leading Learning Technologies & Instructional Design with Shared Vision (3 SH)

 ***DTE courses have a classroom attendance component. Consult the NLU Schedule

Resource Use in Education Theme

  • ECE 510 Child Family Community (3 SH)
  • ECE 515 Financial & Legal Aspects Child Care Management (3 SH)
  • ECE 525 Strategies for Supervision & Staff Development (0.5-3 SH)
  • ECE 542 PR & Marketing of Early Childhood Programs (2 SH)
  • EDL 521 Building School Community Partnerships (2 SH)
  • HRM 521 Talent Acquisition and Retention (3 SH)
  • HRM 541 Employment Law and Regulations (3 SH)
  • TIE 512 Using Technology to Support Student Thinking (3 SH)

Other (Teaching and Learning)

  • EDL 529 Improving Instruction through Teacher Evaluation and PD (2 SH)
  • EPS 511 Human Learning and Dev in Instructional Contexts (2 SH)
  • EPS 541 Cognition and Instruction (1-2 SH)
  • LSE 540 Social Emotional Learning in Cultural Contexts (3 SH)
  • LSE 535 Instructional Design Foundations - Digital Age Learning Environments (1-3 SH)
  • LSE 542 Digital Tools for Teaching, Learning and Assessment (3 SH)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Theme

  • CIL 531 Cross Cultural Education
  • EDL 523 Navigating School and Special Education Law (2 SH)
  • EDL 527 Guaranteeing a Diff and Coherent Curriculum (2 SH)
  • OBD 551 Diversity and Inclusion in the Org Culture (3 SH)
  • PPA 532 Gender, Race, and Culture in the Public Sector (3 SH)
  • LSE 530 Designing Learning Experiences: Cognition in Socio-Cultural Contexts (3 SH)

Curriculum Design and Data Fluency Theme

  • EPS 513 Frameworks for Data Driven Instruction (1-3 SH)
  • ESR 504 Assessment and Curriculum Diff in EC Settings (2 SH)
  • EDU 505 Educational Inquiry and Assessment (3 SH)
  • HRM 520 Performance Analysis and Measurement (3 SH)
  • LSE 500 Intro to the Learning Sciences and Technology (3 SH)
  • LSE 505 Data Literacy (3 SH)
  • LSE 520 Introduction to Design-based Research (3 SH)
  • LSE 588 Constructing Curriculum for Engaging the Whole Learner (3 SH)
  • TIE 524 Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments (3 SH)
  • LSE 525 Designing Digital Age Learning Environments (3 SH)

*Note: additional 500-level or 600-level course with faculty approval.

Ed.S. and Ed.D. Major and General Electives

Leadership Theory and Practice

  • EDL 605 Leading Change (3 SH)
  • EDL 622 Developing Curriculum & Evaluating Programs (3 SH)
  • EDL 624 Improving Instruction through PD and Evaluation (3 SH)
  • EDL 690 Educational Leadership Internship (1-8 SH)
  • HED 620 Leadership and Governance in Higher Ed (3 SH)
  • HED 634 Quality Assurance in Higher Education (3 SH)
  • OBD 650 Culture of Learning Organizations (3 SH)

Curriculum Design and Data Fluency

  • CCD 604 Data Analysis, Interpretation & Presentation (3 SH)
  • EDL 628 Analyzing & Using Data for Systemic Improvement (3 SH)
  • EDL 632 Utilizing Data to Inform Decision Making (3 SH)
  • ESR 610 Paradigms of Research (2 SH)
  • ESR 616 Mixed Methods Design (3 SH)
  • ESR 618 Interpretive and Critical Research Design (3 SH)
  • RES 640 Survey Research and Intro to Stat Software (3 SH)
  • RES 650 Data-Driven Decision Making and Research (3 SH)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

  • CCD 630 Education in a Global World (3 SH)
  • DEE 605 History of Disability & Edu (3 SH)
  • DEE 606 Applied Disability Standards Advocating & Consulting (3 SH)
  • DEE 690 SM: Spec Topic Dis & Equity Ed (1-12 SH)
  • DEE 693 Disability Studies in Ed Seminar (3 SH)
  • EDL 604 Fostering Cultural Proficiency and Equity (3 SH)
  • OBD 651 Diversity and Inclusion in the Org Culture (3 SH)

 Resource Use in Education

  • CCD 625 Critical Policy Analysis (3 SH)
  • EDL 608 Comm. and Eng. w/ Staff, Family & Community (3 SH)
  • EDL 620 Understanding Political, Legal, & Ethical Issues in Education (3 SH)
  • HED 626 Legal Issues in Higher Education (3 SH)
  • HED 600 Higher Education in the United States (3 SH)
  • HED 630 Academic Affairs: Faculty, Curriculum, & Assessment (3 SH)
  • HED 622 Strategic Marketing & Enrollment Management (3 SH)
  • HED 624 Finance and Budgeting in Higher Ed (3 SH)

Other (Teaching and Learning)

  • HED 695 Special Topics in Higher Education (1-6 SH)
  • CCD 690 SM/Spec Top Education (1-3 SH)
  • HED 632 Student Development Theory (3 SH)
  • CAP 600 Curriculum Theory: Historical, Philosophical & Political Issues (3 SH)
  • CAP 601 Cultures of Schools &Communities (3 SH)
  • CAP 602 Curriculum Theory: Contemporary Issues &Practices (3 SH)
  • CAP 603 Curriculum Planning, Organization &Evaluation (3 SH)
  • CAP 605 Prof Development & School Change (3 SH)
  • CCD 615 Psych Foundations Teaching & Learning (3 SH)
  • CCD 620 Epistemology of Learning & Teaching (3 SH)
  • CES 649 Teaching in Higher Education (3 SH)
  • EDL 612 Advanced Educational Psychology (3 SH)
  • EDL 626 Leading Instruction to Advance Student Learning (3 SH)
  • PTIL 601 Instructional Design in Higher Education (3 SH)

Key to Course Prefixes

  • BUS – Business and Management
  • ESR – Educational Stats: Research
  • CAP – Curriculum, Advocacy and Policy
  • HED – Higher Education Leadership
  • CCD – Doctoral Core
  • HRM – Human Resources
  • CES – Counselor Education and Supervision
  • LSE – Learning Sciences in Education 
  • CIL – ESL/Bilingual Education Ldshp.
  • OBD – Organizational Behavior, Dev.
  • DEE – Disability and Equity in Education
  • PJM – Project Management
  • DTE – Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship
  • PPA – Public Policy and Administration
  • ECE – Early Childhood Education
  • RES – Research Methods
  • PTIL – Post Secondary Teaching & Instr. Ldrshp.
  • EDL – Educational Leadership
  • EPS – Educational Psychology

*Additional 500-level or 600-level ECA, ECE, EDL, CIC, CIL or other elective topics with dissertation chair approval.

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