There are many educational leadership degree programs in Illinois because the state boasts almost 10 universities, 50 community colleges, 30 for-profit institutions and 100 non-profit colleges. An educational leadership degree programs is a good idea for anyone who wants to advance from the classroom to administration. Ideally, the program will be accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
The goal of most of these degree programs is to train students how to build and maintain a nurturing, inclusive and productive learning environment for teaching and achievement. Teachers and school staff with a postgraduate degree will have the planning, strategy, communication and management skills to excel in decision making positions that require continuous improvement. To see more programs in Illinois, visit Educational Leadership Degree Programs in Illinois (A-M).
National Louis University
Education Doctoral
National Louis University, or NLU, offers a variety of doctorate programs in education (Ed.D.) that provide advanced training and research opportunities to principals, superintendents, researchers and policy-makers. These include educational doctoral degrees in School Psychology, Educational Leadership and Higher Education Leadership. The Teaching and Learning major comes in three specializations: Disability and Equity in Education; Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy; and Reading, Language and Literacy. All of these degree programs train students how to apply advanced theory and strategic planning to transform offices, classrooms and educational systems.
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
The Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) is a three-year degree program designed for educators who supervise staff, teachers and school districts. This professional preparation program comes in three specializations: District-Level Educational Leadership, Leadership for Learning and Change and Leadership for Learning and Organizational Development. After graduation, students may assume roles in schools, district offices, colleges, universities, policy organizations, government agencies and technical degree institutions.
The doctoral curriculum integrates theory, research and practice into a well-design academic plan that relies on both coursework and internship experiences for success. Class discussions may touch on student achievement, adult learning management, engaging educational communities and continuous school improvement systems. Students may also research faculty development, curriculum leadership, instructional supervision, staff accountability, financial administration and human resources management.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
NLU North Shore
5202 Old Orchard Road, Office 422
Skokie, Illinois 60077
224 233 2252
carlos.azcoitia@nl.edu
Northeastern Illinois University
College of Education
Northeastern Illinois University is attended by over 10,000 local and foreign students. It is one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the state. Northeastern Illinois University boasts flexible schedules, dedicated faculty and small class sizes. They offer affordable tuition, internship connections, educational conferences and convenient urban locations.
The Goodwin College of Education offers flexible classes during the day, evening and weekend. Their goal is to cultivate educational professionals who embrace diversity, create inclusiveness, apply lifelong learning and see innovation as a source of strength. They offer graduate degrees in subjects like Inner City Studies, M.A., Literacy Education, M.A. and Community and Teacher Leaders, M.A.
Educational Leadership, M.A.
The Educational Leadership, M.A comes in two tracks: Higher Education Leadership and School Leadership (PreK-12). Both programs are designed to develop amazing administrative leaders and to foster continuing professional growth. The Higher Education Leadership concentration provides skills and knowledge to understand and improve administrative practices at the university level. This track teaches supervisory skills that develop and support collegiate instructional systems.
The Higher Education Leadership concentration applies to careers in Student Affairs, Residential Life and Admissions and Recruitment. The School Leadership (PreK-12) concentration cultivates competencies in exemplary leadership, staff development and educational management practices. Graduating with this specialization results in a State of Illinois Principal Endorsement. This concentration prepares students for careers in staff management, educational administration and policy leadership.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission
- The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
- State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB)
- The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Contact
5500 North St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60625
(773) 583-4050
l-beaty@neiu.edu
Northeastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
College of Education
Northern Illinois University is home to over 25,000 students and over 240,000 alumni. The university offers some of the highest quality educational opportunities for college students in the country. The College of Education is divided into six academic departments: Curriculum and Instruction (CI), Special and Early Education (SEED), Kinesiology and Physical Education (KNPE), Counseling, Adult and Higher Education (CAHE), Educational Technology, Research and Assessment (ETRA) and Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations (LEPF). The LEPF offers five Ed.D. degrees: Educational Specialist, Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, Adult and Higher Education, Counselor Education and Supervision and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies
This degree prepares students for service, administrative and leadership positions in agencies and institutions of higher education. Instructional experiences and coursework are designed to develop social, conceptual and technical skills for success in various administrative roles. There is an emphasis on educational research, organizational theory, executive roles and community power structures.
This degree requires at least 63 semester hours of graduate work after the master’s degree. There are two specializations: Educational Leadership and Educational Policy Studies. The first specialization is for students who have completed their Ed.S. and already hold an Illinois Superintendent Endorsement. Course work covers research skills, development theories and sociocultural analyses. The second specialization is for students who do not have or want an Ed.S. degree. Neither of these specializations lead to a state Superintendent Endorsement. Coursework covers various aspects of educational policy studies.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA)
- The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
- The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Graham Hall 223
1425 W. Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-4404
lepf@niu.eduemail address
Roosevelt University
College of Education
Roosevelt University is a private system of scholars, students and staff who are committed to academic excellence, creative exploration and community service. The university is noted for its commitment to social justice, class inclusion and personal perspectives. The goal of the College of Education is to produce teachers and leaders who transform schools and communities. Academic programs are continually reevaluated for refinement and academic relevancy.
The graduate programs provide continuing professional development opportunities to school staff and teachers. There are degree programs in Educational Leadership, such as Instructional Leadership and Dual Language Teacher Leadership, as well as Language and Literacy, which includes degrees in Reading and Second Language Special Education. The Teaching and Learning degrees are for current, licensed teachers only.
Master’s in Instructional Leadership (MA)
This degree prepares graduates for careers in government, nonprofit organizations, professional associations and postsecondary institutions. The Master’s in Instructional Leadership (MA) is for licensed teachers who want to become leaders, assistant principals and principals. All of the academic activities, objectives outcomes, assessments, field experiences and internship classes meet state regulations.
The Master’s in Instructional Leadership (MA) program is connected to five school districts in Chicago to deliver hands-on training opportunities. There is also a partnership a national non-profit community-based organization called Kids At Hope (KAH). There are two available: Principal Endorsement and Teacher Leader.
The Principal Endorsement Concentration requires candidates to earn a passing score on the TAP (Test of Academic Proficiency) or the ILTS Test of Basic Skills. Students must also create a portfolio that documents their leadership potential, experiences and achievements.
Accreditations
- The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
- The Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Contact
430 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
312-853-4750
lallenjr@roosevelt.edu
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Department of Educational Leadership
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has created a student-driven educational community that is dedicated to expanding skills and integrating knowledge. They offer a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs. The ultimate goal is to achieve academic prominence and national recognition through innovative programs and interdisciplinary empowerment.
The Department of Educational Leadership offers graduate degrees in Instructional Technology, Personnel Administration and Learning, Culture, and Society. They also offer an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and a specialist degree in Educational Administration.
Master’s in Educational Administration
The Master’s of Science in Educational Administration requires 36 semester hours for graduation. There are two specializations. First, the Teacher Leader Option requires classes in Instructional Leadership, Introduction to School Leadership, Analysis of Educational Issues, Becoming a Teacher Leader, Data Driven School Improvement and Emerging Technologies in Education. Second, the Principal Option requires classes in School Law, Curriculum Leadership, Research Methods in Education and Data Driven School Accountability. There are multiple field experience classes required as well as a Principalship: Theory and Research project.
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
The Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is for teachers and administrators who want to become school and organizational leaders outside of district operations. These students will gain expertise and research how to make and maintain positive and long-lasting changes. This degree includes 54 semester hours of classes that are divided into four categories: general electives, Educational Leadership, Advanced Analysis and Research Study and Application. This degree concludes with a qualifying exam that must be passed. Required courses include Community Relations, Leadership Theory, Personnel Administration and District Program Development.
Accreditations
- The Open Pathway
- The Higher Learning Commission
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Contact
Campus Box 1125
Edwardsville, IL 62026
618.650.3288
jenwern@siue.edu
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
University of St. Francis
College of Education
The University of St. Francis has been educating teachers since 1925. Today, it maintains a commitment to employ engaging staff and provide high-quality programs to meet the challenges of modern teachers and administrators. They may be a liberal arts Catholic university, but they offer charismatic and endearing Franciscan values. This means that students are expected to embrace and enjoy the continuous pursuit of faith, wisdom, justice and knowledge in a changing world. The mission of the College of Education is rooted in 19th century history through the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate starting a parochial school to advance Catholic ideas and secular knowledge.
Master of Science in Educational Leadership
There are two major tracks for the Master of Science in Educational Leadership. First, the Principal Preparation Concentration requires 33 credit hours that can be finished in six semesters. There is a year-long internship that must be completed under the direction of a principal and a faculty mentor. Second, there is a general Teacher Leader Concentration. All of these students must take classes in Instructional Leadership, Supervisory Behavior, Development of Curriculum, Serving Special Populations and Methods of Educational Research.
The Principal Preparation Concentration requires classes in School Finance and School Law as well as three Principal Internship classes. The Teacher Leader Concentration requires general classes with a Teacher Leader Practicum. This degree results in a Teacher Leader Endorsement. It is designed for current teachers who non-principal jobs like program leader, curriculum specialist and department chair.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Contact
500 Wilxoc Street
Joliet, IL 60435
815-740-3389
mstevenson@stfrancis.edu
Western Illinois University
Department of Educational Studies
Western Illinois University continually gets recognized as one of the best Midwestern colleges to attend. They serve a dynamic and diverse community, so they are committed to fostering authentic research, innovative educational and service opportunities. The College of Education & Human Services houses the Department of Educational Studies that offers a variety of excellent degrees.
These include M.S. in College Student Personnel, M.S.Ed. in Educational Studies, M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership degrees. The faculty has diligently worked to build new programs of study and revise existing ones in order to provide the highest quality education to future school administrators and college leaders.
Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership
The graduate program in Educational Leadership concentrates on the competencies needed for positions of educational leadership. This degree program uses a collaborative learning structure with inquiry-based courses to train students. Together, they explore how academic theory, current research, applied technology and current trends create and resolve the issues educational leaders face. This program has received national recognition though the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).
Students who are enrolled in this degree program may take classes in Superintendency, Analysis of Instruction, Differentiated Instruction, Curriculum Models, Politics of Pedagogy, Strategic Management, Educational Policy Making and Educational Facilities Management. There are two specialization areas: Professional Education and Language, Culture and Education. The latter involves unique class in areas like Education for Social Justice, Implications of Diversity and Quantitative Research and Statistics.
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission.
- Educational Leadership Constituent Council.
- The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Contact
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
309-298-1183
JM-Bisbee@wiu.edu
Related Resource: Top 20 Best Master’s in Educational Leadership Online
An excellent reason for pursuing a graduate degree in educational leadership is the advancement opportunities. The best way to earn a promotion and get the chance to be a thought leader is through demonstrating innovation, dedication and competency through a graduate degree. There are many more Educational Leadership degree programs available in Illinois that can be explored through our website.