There are several accredited educational leadership degree programs in Illinois. In the scheme of things, educational leadership programs are a recent addition to the social framework. Before the modern era, teachers were a commodity aggressively sought after by established communities/ Today, education, as a section of the social makeup, has expanded to such a point that Educational Leadership Programs are a necessary part of the whole. Gaining a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at an Accredited institution gives Master Program graduates an opportunity to apply for teaching and administrative positions at any level of education in both Private and Public education. To see more programs in Illinois, visit Educational Leadership Degree Programs in Illinois (N-Z).
Aurora University
School of Education and Human Performance
Aurora University’s School of Education and Human Performance includes goals that exceed the standard level of competence in the realm of social work. As an accredited Educational Leadership degree program in Illinois, the educational programs offered in this School discipline emphasize the necessary values required to usher students through the increasingly complex world of education and its relationship with communities to which it is responsible. The School provides interdisciplinary knowledge and builds on practical workplace skills. The School of Education and Human Performance offer Educational Leadership degrees that provide the necessary knowledge to obtain school principal positions as well as University and District Administrative positions.
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership-Principal Endorsement Program
Aurora University’s Master of Arts in Educational Leadership-Principal Endorsement Program is designed for those who seek to become vice-principals or principals of schools ranging from kindergarten through high school. The program is a 36-semester hour Principal Endorsement Program that includes 90 hours of field experience. The on-the-job aspect of the program is embedded in the curriculum of nine separate and sequential classes designed to coordinate the classroom knowledge with actual interaction with teachers, students, and administrative personnel in a working environment. The student is mentored by a local principal while interning in the student’s choice of school anywhere from PreK through high school. The emphasis is on learning how to meet the instructional needs of all students within a school while applying knowledge of leadership and organizational theory and systems management. Students learn to collect data and create and organize programs based on that data to improve student development by hiring, mentoring and developing staff.
Accreditations
- Illinois State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
- Higher Learning Commission
Contact
Aurora University
Woodstock Center
222 Church Street
Woodstock, Illinois 60098-3315
(815) 337-6051
Admissions: https://aurora.edu/academics/graduate/principal-preparation/index.html#.W4w3T_lKiUk
Bradley University
Leadership in Education, Nonprofits and Counseling
The Leadership in Education, Nonprofits and Counseling (LENC) school at Bradley University answers a social need that has become more urgent with each passing year. The unique challenges faced in education, nonprofit work, and in counseling centers throughout the country calls for empathetic, motivated, and inspirational leadership at every stop from the local school/organization to the national headquarters. Graduate programs at LENC are flexible enough for the working professional to take part either on campus or through online. The theory of leadership is taught in the classroom. However, the heart of the learning experience at LENC is through hands-on experience.
Master of Arts in Leadership – Educational Administration
The Master of Arts in Leadership – Educational Administration degree prepares students for the important work of school administration anywhere within the workings of the school’s structure. The degree centers on how to anticipate and accept social changes that affect educational institutions while working to include education as an important part of those changes for students, families, and communities. The curriculum includes 36-credit hours of classwork and internships. Though the school supports the importance of concepts and theories such as leadership in the classroom, community relations, and laws enabling and hampering education, the emphasis is in the application of those theories through practical practice. The degree opens opportunities for students to learn the importance of advocation for students, the learning process, and for education within a community setting. Graduates are qualified to apply for principal positions, v assistant principals, special needs educators, and department chairs in either public or private schools.
Accreditations
- Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
Bradley University
1501 W. Bradley Ave.
Peoria, IL 61625
(309) 676-7611
https://www.bradley.edu/academic/gradcat/20182019/ehs-elhd.dot#b
Chicago State University
College of Education
The College of Education at Chicago State University has existed for more than 150 years. During that time, the College has supplied the nation with a countless number of exemplary teachers. As an accredited educational leadership school, the College of Education is a model for other institutions to follow. The College concentrates on providing schools with certified teachers in Special Education and school districts with administrative personnel including school principals and assistant principals as well as heads of departments and those interested in organizational outreach to the community. The programs at the College of Education center on theory in the classroom and encourage students to apply those theories in the workplace.
M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration
Students who enroll for an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration have two options on which to concentrate: The Higher Education Administration Option and an M.A. or C.A.G.S in the Principal Preparation Option. Each educational leadership track has its required parameter for completion. The C.A.G.S in the Principal Preparation Option requires 30 credit hours to complete while the M.A. Principal Preparation Option requires 36 credit hours as does the Higher Education Administration Option. Each option requires participants to attend classes to study educational leadership theory and to intern in their chosen level of education for practicum experience with mentors already in an administrative role. The Higher Education Administration degree requires a Master’s Thesis and program assessments such as LiveText, a comprehensive Exam, and a Professional Portfolio. Completion of any of these programs qualifies the enrollee to apply for principal, assistant principal, and other administrative position in any public or private school organization.
Accreditations
- North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
Chicago State University – College of Education
9501 South King Drive/ED 320
Chicago, Illinois 60628-1598
773-995-3988
https://www.csu.edu/collegeofeducation/index.htm
Concordia University Chicago
College of Graduate Studies
The College of Graduate Studies at Concordia University Chicago is a recognized leader in preparatory education in over 40 areas of study including the sciences, humanities, and teaching fields in every subject. Those who enroll in the College of Graduate Studies can choose from non-cohort programs and cohort programs. In every area of study, the College of Graduate Studies recognizes the advantage of cohort programs and incentivizes students to participate in those programs by offering the classes at a lesser cost. The College firmly believes that students who are mentored by those already in a position of leadership beyond the traditional faculty, benefit from personalized advice from those with experience.
M.A., Leadership: Higher Education Specialization
Through the years that the College of Graduate Studies has provided leaders in education, Concordia University Chicago has kept in touch with its graduates. Through a process of valued communication with those who are experiencing the daily changes in the educational environment, the College of Graduate Studies created the M.A., Leadership: Higher Education Specialization degree. Long in development, this degree anticipates the challenges graduates will face in communities outside the educational bubble. Accreditation was earned through demonstrable results that showed the techniques taught by the school to those entering administrative positions as effective and enlightening. Students in the Higher Education Specialization program are encouraged to draw from personal experience gained working in their chosen field and test that experience against contrary data to institute change through researchable data and critical thinking. Graduates of this program qualify to become principals, assistant principals, heads of departments, information officials and so much more.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Concordia University Chicago
7400 Augusta St
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 711-8300
https://gradschool.cuchicago.edu/academics/masters/ma-higher-education-leadership/
Eastern Illinois University
Department of Educational Leadership
The Department of Educational Leadership at Eastern Illinois University is an accredited school that prepares enrollees for positions as principals, assistant principals and for other teacher leadership positions in both public and private schools. The department also prepares present leaders to enter Superintendent positions as well as other leadership roles at the School District level. The Department of Educational Leadership offers three paths toward leadership positions. The Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership demands 33-credit hours of study; the Principal Endorsement Program requires 42 semester hours and the Specialist Degree in Educational Administration requires another 33 semester hours of study beyond the two Master’s degrees.
Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
Of the three Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership offered by Eastern Illinois University, the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership is the entry-level course of study. The course is designed for experienced teachers who wish to enter primary leadership positions such as team leader, department chair, grade level leader, curriculum director or coordinator, athletic director, or even dean of students. Enrollees study the history of education, centering on education in the United States. They also study the psychology of education and its effect on teachers, students, and communities. The program emphasizes curriculum development in relationship to school law and the social foundation of education, as well as proven techniques that elevate teaching to a higher quality level especially for students with exceptionalities. The course teaches graduates how to organize time and resources to develop educational opportunities. The course requires a minimum of 33 credit hours and must be completed within six years.
Accreditations
- Higher Learning Commission
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Eastern Illinois University
Department of Educational Leadership
2320 Buzzard Hall
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-6673
https://www.eiu.edu/edadmin//ms_educational_leadership.php
Governors State University
College of Education
Governors State University College of Education offers degrees to enrollees who seek to influence the lives of students by upgrading curriculum, counseling, and through psychological training that empowers leaders to facilitate a higher grade of education within the schools they work. The College of Education centers on three paths for educators to take that first step toward advancement from teaching to administration. The school offers accredited courses in Educational leadership, psychology, and counseling. The courses concentrate on theory in the classroom and then move into practical experience. Graduates of College of Education programs at Governors State University move into leadership roles such as department heads, principals, and assistant principals.
Educational Administration, M.A.
The Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration offered in the College of Education at Governors State University is an accredited course that anticipates changes in educational environments. The school keeps tabs of technological advances and instructs up and coming leaders on how to utilize social media to the advantage of teachers, students, and communities. Students must complete a 36-credit hour course that includes leadership training in such areas as organizational skills, teacher evaluations, school law, and community engagement. Though the course concentrates on the theory behind administrative leadership, it also includes hours of practicum where students engage in school issues during work hours. Each student is assigned a mentor that serves as advisor and support specialist. The mentors concentrate on one student from enrollment through graduation before engaging another student. The course leads students to new roles in the educational community such as school principal or assistant principal, school business official, or university administrative positions.
Accreditations
- North Central Association of Colleges and School
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
Governors State University
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975
(708) 534-5000
Illinois State University
College of Education
The College of Education at Illinois State University is the oldest school in the university. Through decades of academic and community achievement, the school has developed and maintained a reputation for excellence. Current statistics show that Illinois State University’s College of Education graduates is in the top 5% of their respective fields in the United States. A significant result of that repetitive fact is the high wage College of Education graduates expects. The school concentrates its curriculum on the advancement of education in every community at every level. Every course is accredited by national and regional organizations that demand the maintenance of excellence.
Educational Administration and Foundations – P – 12 (CPED) Administration Doctoral Program
The Illinois State University College of Education creates innovative programs that empower teachers and educational administrators to work with a community to develop high-quality standards for its student population. The Educational Administration and Foundations – P-12 (CPED) Administration Doctoral Program is a model that other schools have adopted for their curriculum. The framing of this course concentrates o the ethics of social justice that permeates educational facilities in the U.S. today. By acknowledging the ever-shifting nature of social pressures, the course provides the student with the ability to adapt and adjust leadership techniques to the issues at hand. Graduates of this course are prepared to confront and disarm the central conflicts of social inequality that can enter the school environment. Graduates develop interpersonal empowerment techniques that develop ancient leaders into actual leaders. The program concentrates on theory and moves the theory into practical experience in a work-place environment.
Accreditations
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (NCAEP)
Contact
College of Education
Campus Box 5300
Normal, IL 61790-5300
(309) 438-5422
https://education.illinoisstate.edu/
Lewis University
College of Education
Lewis University’s College of Education is a value-centered university inspired by its Catholic heritage. The school has operated since 1932 on the premise that the world changes and adaptation to those changes are what keeps the center of society alive. Nowhere is that truer than in the curriculum of the College of Education which centers o individual responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of social values. The school maintains that values spring from the individual and that the individual is responsible for protecting those values by passing them on to students in the form of education to improve the lives of students, families, and communities.
Educational Leadership, M. Ed. with Principal Endorsement
The Educational Leadership, M. Ed with Principal Endorsement degree is predicated on the belief that students excel when empowered through moral and spiritual guidance. The degree concentrates on the ethical and moral obligation of educational professionals as demonstrated through the power of critical transformative leadership. The course takes students through a rigorous curriculum of school law, school finances, school assessment, and educational, organizational techniques. By exposing students to leadership techniques and multicultural problem solving, the program elevates the student to leadership roles such as school principals, assistant principals, and department heads. To qualify to enter the program requires teacher licensure and practice for at least four years. Though the curriculum centers on theory, it also incorporates practical experience in a work environment. Lewis University presents this degree as a unique program based on the effect of social justice, ethical conduct, and moral responsibility for the enhancement of the student, teammates, and the community.
Accreditations
- Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- The National Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (NCAEP)
Contact
Lewis University
1 University Parkway
Romeoville, IL 60446-2200
(815) 838-0500
https://www.lewisu.edu/academics/grad-education/educ-leadership/index.htm
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online
When federal law mandated education, the learning environment changed in the U.S. No longer was it a privilege to attend school. Education became a right for all children and adults. With that right came the obligation to focus the intent of education on the improvement of society through technical, moral, and philosophical means. The concept of education as a benefit for society demanded the development of leadership positions that worked as the tip of the spear against ignorance and recalcitrance. Leadership in education is one of the keys that has developed the U.S. from the pioneer state to the entrepreneur society where everyone can excel in their chosen field. The accreditation of educational leadership degree programs in Illinois assures every student a full and effective learning experience.
