With no scarcity of accredited educational leadership degree programs in Florida, students may need to do some research to find the one that best suits their career aspirations, schedule requirements and financial situation. Successful master’s candidates are well-positioned to enter the highly challenging and rewarding world of educational leadership with a diploma from any of Florida’s premium graduate-level programs. There have never been more opportunities in this specialized field in terms of leadership roles such as school principal, college dean, university registrar and department chair, so now is a great time to get started. To see more accredited programs, visit Educational Leadership Degree Programs in Florida (U-Z).
Florida Atlantic University
College of Education
The College of Education at FAU boasts several advantages for educational leaders that other Florida institutions offering similar graduate-level programs do not. For example, the College of Education oversees four university-based public laboratory schools, including the FAU High School and the Karen Slattery Educational Research Center for Child Development, where College of Education students can learn and hone professional techniques, test and develop curricula, and engage in ongoing research within real-world educational settings.
Additionally, the College of Education conducts a fully funded program that seeks to update, improve and revolutionize the way it prepares future leaders in education for the career challenges they will face in the years ahead. The college encourages and supports faculty members who are pursuing research in the educational fields of their choice, providing students with the opportunity to collaborate and improve their research skills.
Master of Education School Leaders Program
Ranked in the top 20 out of more than 500 accredited education leadership degree programs nationwide, FAU’s Master of Education School Leaders Program offers an extensive range of classes that help prepare students for a number of roles in educational leadership, including counselor education, exceptional student education, exercise science and speech pathology as well as leadership education.
Designed to accommodate the busy schedules of graduate students, FAU’s School Leaders Program offers four online programs as well as four choices that combine online and in-classroom learning. These hybrid programs offer both scheduling convenience and the chance to interact with like-minded peers. Students who choose the hybrid option can attend Boca or Jupiter FAU campuses. Night classes take place at these locations while Saturday fast track courses are held at the Davie campus as well.
The Master of Education School Leaders degree requires 39-42 semester hours. While the program is designed for students to take as many or as few classes as their schedules allow, full-time students can complete their degrees in four consecutive semesters. However, the program has the flexibility to also accommodate those who continue to work full-time while working toward their advanced degrees.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Florida Department of Education
Contact
Suite 240
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-297-3550
edleadership@fau.edu
Florida A&M University
Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling
With an emphasis on a multicultural approach to leadership and management in all aspects of education, the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling at Florida A&M prepares students to succeed in diverse contexts, whether they aspire to a key role as a department head or dream of running an entire institution.
The cohort-based advanced degree programs in educational leadership provide students with the raw materials for building a professional network of like-minded colleagues. An emphasis on research methodology and theoretical content underscores the importance of academic and professional growth throughout both the degree program and students’ subsequent careers.
Educational Leadership Master Program
This graduate studies program provides the tools students need to develop into competent, effective leaders or administrators in educational settings. The accredited educational leadership degree program at Florida A&M University helps students to develop philosophical, interpersonal and multicultural competencies essential to becoming strong leaders in the contemporary academic environment. The program also puts particular emphasis on students gaining a better understanding and greater skill in performing critical management functions within the learning environment.
A master’s degree in educational leadership will provide the advanced skills and knowledge students need to work within educational settings or organizations involved with educational issues. It prepares people with both the practical and theoretical know-how that is critical to effective leadership, management and innovation. The program also seeks to help students become more sensitive to the nuances of culture, ethnicity and gender so that they can foster more inclusive learning environments.
Educational Leadership PhD Program
This full-time, two-year accredited educational leadership doctoral degree program at Florida A & M University offers a non-traditional take on advanced leadership studies. With a strong basis in constructivist philosophy and an emphasis on cultural diversity, this accredited educational PhD leadership degree program prepares candidates for professional management positions in both rural and urban public schools, universities and education-related organizations, especially those settings that place a particular emphasis on educating at-risk or minority students. A cohort-based advanced program with admissions taking place just once per year, the educational leadership cohort is ideal for forging professional ties and mutual support systems that enhance students’ future careers.
PhD candidates in this program are required to acquire and develop theoretical content and conduct professional research that informs their degrees. Students complete this full-time course of study in six semesters or two years. Upon completion and acceptance of their dissertations, students can find high-level employment in schools or organizations with local, regional or national education mandates.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
501 Orr Drive
GEC-C Suite 124
Tallahassee, FL 32307
850-599-3191
hassiem.kambui@famu.edu
Florida Gulf Coast University
College of Education
This Fort Myers-based college of education takes a hands-on, learning by doing approach to preparing future leaders in education. Smaller classes mean more intensive faculty-student interaction at a ratio of 22:1, facilitating a deeper understanding of the course materials. With 80 percent of classes in the College of Education taught by full-time, experienced professors, students are immersed in the kind of real-world strategic knowledge they need for career success. Students have opportunities for field experience in a spectrum of settings, including urban, rural and suburban classrooms. Another factor that many grad students find attractive is that this program is one of the most affordable in the state.
M.A. in Educational Leadership
This accredited educational leadership degree program in Florida boasts one of the highest graduate employment rates in the region, with 90 percent of those completing the program finding degree-appropriate positions. Those who have earned an M.A. in educational leadership are well prepared to take on leadership posts in K-12 charter schools, private academies and institutes of higher learning as well as businesses and healthcare organizations that place an emphasis on education.
Designed for students who are not seeking teaching certificates, the Master’s in Educational Leadership prepares people for instrumental roles in business training programs, healthcare education and public service in addition to traditional school administration/management positions. In addition to the core courses required for a degree, this program requires 18 hours of career focus classes and nine credit hours of electives, which are not limited to the College of Education.
Educational Leadership (M.Ed.)
Designed for both current and future leaders in education, this accredited educational leadership degree program at Florida Gulf Coast University requires 39 hours of coursework as well as the completion of a student portfolio. The particular focuses of the curriculum are educational leadership competencies and the correlations between established practice and its application in contemporary educational settings, whether they are in the public or the private sectors. Successful candidates will gain advanced consultancy, supervisory and transdisciplinary competencies necessary for management roles in traditional and non-traditional educational settings.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
- Florida Department of Education
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
Merwin Hall
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Meyers, FL 33965
129-590-7800
eddeds@fgcu. edu
Florida International University
College of Arts, Science & Education
The mission of CASE at Florida International University is to produce engaged citizens that will be at the forefront of leadership and innovation across the educational landscape of the future. Providing graduate students in leadership programs with the skills to create the improvements in education that future classrooms and non-traditional learning settings will increasingly demand, CASE offers students the interpersonal, classroom and community experiences that prepare them for successful careers. It also offers funding opportunities, ranging from graduate internships to research grants, that assist promising students in achieving their educational goals.
MS in Educational Leadership
The Department of Leadership and Professional Studies program prepares graduate-level students for management roles in multicultural, local or international settings related to education and professional training. With a faculty of international scholars with experience in both education leadership and community engagement, this Florida accredited educational leadership degree program considers creative innovation in the academic field to one of the essential competencies of the successful candidate. Working in both the classroom and the community to problem-solve, engage and develop in the role of leaders, students earning the MS in educational leadership degree bring the benefits of knowledge and the quest for innovation to their career field.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
- Florida Department of Education
Contact
Modesto Maidique Campus
11200 SW 8th Street
ZEB Building
Miami, FL 33199
305-348-3202
case@fiu.edu
Nova Southeastern University
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education
The Abraham S. Fischler College of Education offers both on-site and online courses that prepare students to apply multi-modal theory to contemporary, real-world professional settings. Interactive and simulation learning, research and team-based collaboration enrich the experiences of students during their graduate studies and strengthen their skillsets for leadership careers in education. The college’s alumni, 65,000 strong, includes hundreds of school superintendents as well as 30 presidents of colleges and universities. The Fischler College of Education also maintains a number of international partnerships and degree programs in a dozen countries across the globe.
Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
This accredited educational leadership degree program is on the 2018 list of U.S. News‘ Best Online Programs for Graduate Education. With a focus on preparing leaders and policy makers to fill careers in local, state, national and international education in such areas as government, business and the military, this MS in educational leadership program develops leaders with the skills, knowledge and agility to make an impact in their careers. An emphasis on a global perspective and the exploration of ethics in leadership are important components of the curriculum.
Graduates of the program often go on to forge careers in public and private school systems where they take on leadership and administrative roles. Research-based coursework is designed to provide students with the contemporary information that will inform their decisions as educational leaders in the schools of the future. Both online courses and traditional classroom learning at a number of NSU campuses are available.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314
(954) 262-8458
rh164@nova.edu
Stetson University
Graduate Programs
Graduate programs at Stetson University offer flexible scheduling to accommodate working professionals who want to pursue their educational goals. Graduate students gain essential professional knowledge and develop leadership skills in a collaborative environment that highlights diversity, strategies for bringing about positive change and the importance of reflection in effective leadership. The graduate curriculum is designed to respond to change in the contemporary landscape while meeting or exceeding both state and national best practices in education. All grad programs take place on Stetson University’s DeLand campus and at the Celebration facility.
M.Ed. Educational Leadership
The Educational Leadership Master of Education degree is an accredited educational leadership degree program in DeLand, Florida that students can complete in as few as 12 months of study. Classes take place on Saturday to accommodate working teachers and other professionals who are juggling jobs and school. A competitive admissions process typically attracts top students, who progress through the course work as a cohort. This enables students to create professional networks that will inform and support them in their future careers. The completion of an Action Research Project is among the requirements for the degree.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
- Florida Department of Education
Contact
421 N. Woodland Boulevard
Unit 8389
DeLand, FL 32723
382-822-7100
gradadmissions@stetson.edu
https://www.stetson.edu/artsci/education/graduate/index.php
University of Central Florida
College of Community Innovation and Education
Community and innovation are important keywords in describing the mission of UCF’s graduate education programs. Civic engagement and transformation are critical competencies for the successful degree candidate. World-renowned faculty members hone these skills via internships, practical experience and research in shared academic ventures. Ten of the college’s graduate programs, are part of U.S. News Top 100 in the nation for 2019.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
UCF’s Master of Education in Educational Leadership is an accredited educational leadership degree program in Florida that prepares students for careers in educational and administrative roles in traditional K-12 school settings as well as in other education-related careers. Many graduates become school principals, armed with the theoretical and practical skills and knowledge that are essential to educational leadership careers. Courses meet or exceed the Florida Educational Leadership Standards and stress those competencies required to pass the Florida Education Leadership Examination.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
12494 University Boulevard
P.O. Box 161250
Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-2835
edgrad@ucf.edu
https://ccie.ucf.edu/elhe/educational-leadership/
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online
With a reputation for producing creative and socially conscious educational leaders, the Sunshine State offers some of the top options in graduate education for future leaders nationwide. With the wealth of options for accredited educational leadership degree programs in Florida, graduate students have the opportunity to find the school with the program that will best prepare them to meet their career goals.
