Students who want to further their careers in education may want to explore educational leadership degree programs in Pennsylvania. Colleges and universities throughout the state offer programs at the graduate and doctoral level and many programs require that students already possess some experience in teaching or administration. An advanced teaching degree is commonly sought by teaching professionals who want to move into administration and management, and programs may take anywhere from one year to five years to complete. Graduate degree programs usually take one or two years, and doctoral programs tend to take up to five years. Students should explore all the options available from Pennsylvania schools when deciding on which educational leadership program will suit them best.
Marywood University
Continuing Education
Marywood University is located in Scranton, Pennsylvania and has approximately 3,300 students attending programs at its 115-acre campus. The university was founded in 1915 by a group affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church named the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the 1800s, the school was an academy for young women, but it would eventually become a college through the efforts of one of the leaders of the university. The university became a coeducational facility in the 1970s. The school’s official colors are green and white, and students participate in NCAA Division III games in the Atlantic East conference.
Ph.D. in Strategic Leadership and Administration Studies
This educational leadership degree program in Pennsylvania will take students four to six years to complete and is designed with an interdisciplinary approach to education. The classes are offered in a flexible and convenient schedule for individuals who are currently in the workforce and cannot enroll in a full-time program. Careers open to graduates of the program include those in education, social services, government, business, and health care. Faculty members in the department have doctorates in their respective fields. Students will take classes like Administrative and Leadership Theories, Policy Analysis and Organizational Dynamics, Advanced Quantitative Research, and Organizational Budget and Finance. When students embark on their dissertation, they will need to complete several forms before beginning to write. Submissions include an Appointment of Dissertation Committee and the online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative form. The dissertation will include at least nine credits of research, and students will also need to defend their dissertation.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
2300 Adams Avenue
Scranton, PA 18509
Phone: 570-348-6211
Email: registrar@marywood.edu
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Educational Foundations
Founded in 1855, Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a member of the state’s university system. The school has approximately 8,500 students attending classes at its 250-acre suburban campus. The school’s official colors are black and gold, and the sports teams are nicknamed the Marauders. The university offers its students a convenient location to major metropolitan areas and is within one to three hours of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York City. The university offers more than 50 bachelor’s degree programs, 22 master’s degree programs, and three doctoral programs. Students can also enroll in several certificate programs and two associate’s degree programs.
M.Ed. Leadership for Teaching and Learning
The Teaching & Learning graduate degree program requires that students complete 36 credits. Students may enroll as part-time or full-time students, and the program accepts applications on a rolling basis. While in the program, students will also earn a K12 Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction certificate and a K-12 Principal certificate. To gain admission to the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and must submit their official transcripts when applying. Classes required in this educational leadership program in Pennsylvania include Leadership Theory & Organizational Behavior, Functions of Supervision, Applied Supervision, and School Law, Public Policy, & the Principal. Students can enroll in a leadership seminar each spring semester for a maximum of three credits throughout the program. When students have completed all required classes, they may schedule a review of their portfolio, which will allow the student to qualify for graduation.
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Students who wish to pursue a doctorate at Millersville University will enroll alongside a cohort of 14 to 16 other students. Within the program, students will collaborate with one another, as well as university faculty and leadership fellows who are currently practicing in the field. Topics under discussion in the program include how poverty impacts the achievements of students, as well as how technology can be utilized to reach more students and impart effective lessons. The program is designed as a part-time endeavor where students will enroll in face-to-face, online, and hybrid classes. When applying, students must submit records of all current teaching and administrative certificates and endorsements. Most face-to-face classes are held on Saturdays at the school’s Dixon University Center, and students will typically need to meet anywhere from five to 12 times during the semester. Students will also get to participate in professional learning community sessions and group seminars throughout the program.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
P.O. Box 1002
Millersville, PA 17551
Phone: 717-871-4723
Email: gradeadmissions@millersville.edu
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Department of Educational Leadership
Located in Shippensburg, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a members school of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The rural campus covers 200 acres, and there are around 8,500 students enrolled at the school. Students who participate in sports do so as the Raiders in NCAA Division II games. The school’s mascot is named Big Red. The school was established in 1871 and was meant to train future teachers. The site of the historical school is listed on the United States Register of Historic Places and is considered a U.S. Historic District. The school began offering bachelor’s degrees in 1926 with approval from the state’s legislature.
Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Earning a graduate degree in educational leadership from Shippensburg University requires that students complete all required class work, as well as possess a certificate in instructional or educational specialist at the time of application. At the conclusion of the program, students will understand the principals and theories required to act as school principals. Courses students will take in the program include Effective Instructional Strategies for Children with Exceptionalities, Instructional Content and Practices for Special Education, and Assessing Children with Exceptionalities for Curricular Decision-Making. The curriculum is based on the standards published by the Council of Chief State School Officers State Consortium on Education Leadership. Students who want to apply and have a GPA of less than 3.0 may be required to submit to a personal interview before gaining admission to the program. References that students submit must come from a chief school officers and from an immediate supervisor with whom the applicant regularly works.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Shippen Hall 127
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257
Phone: 717-477-1591
Email: cmpoe@ship.edu
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
College of Education
Slippery Rock University is part of the state’s university system and is located in the town of Slippery Rock. The school has almost 9,000 students attending classes at its campus, which is around 80 miles south of Erie. The school was founded in 1889 and has been a coeducational facility since that time. The campus is one of the largest of the Pennsylvania state university system at more than 600 acres. The school’s sports teams participate in NCAA Division II games as The Rock, and the school’s mascot is The Pride of the Rock. The school has an endowment of more than 16 million dollars.
Special Education: School Supervision (Master of Education)
Current teachers and educational specialists may benefit from this graduate degree in educational leadership in Pennsylvania due to the career advances that may be possible after graduation. The degree may be earned in a single calendar year, and all the classes in the program are offered online for busy working professionals. The required practicum may be completed where the student works, and applicants must have at least five years of teaching experience to qualify for admission. Students may enroll in the program when they have fewer than five years of work experience, but they must wait until they have the required five years before they will be awarded their state certification. To apply, students will need to submit an online application, application fee, a copy of a teaching certificate, a resume, and two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must come from a professional reference and a fellow faculty member and must be submitted electronically.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
1 Morrow Way
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Phone: 724-738-2453
Email: robert.isherwood@sru.edu
The Pennsylvania State University
College of Education
Penn State is a land-grant university with an extraordinarily large student body population and campuses located throughout the state of Pennsylvania. The school was originally founded in 1855 and was called the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania. More than 46,000 students attend the university, and the institution has a very active and generous alumni population. There are more than 160 majors available at the university, which also spends more than $830 million a year on research. When students who attend the university through online study are included, Penn State has more than 99,000 students enrolled for classes. The school’s official colors are blue and white.
M.Ed. in General Educational Leadership
Students can earn this educational leadership degree program in Pennsylvania by taking classes on campus or by attending the World Campus online option. Students will study seven major areas that include the topics of leadership & administration, organizational theory & practice, and diversity & equity. Other topics under discussion will include educational policy & politics, law & ethics, educational resource allocation, and data use & research. Classes in the program are Act 48 approved, which means the credit hours gained by students may be used as professional development hours. The program is designed for K-12 teachers who want to broaden their leadership potential in public education. Students may focus on one of three areas that include General Education Leadership, School Leadership, or Teacher Leadership. To earn their graduate degree, enrollees must complete at least 30 credits. Students have some freedom in the courses they can take to satisfy their concentration requirements.
Ph.D. in Educational Leadership
Students will choose from two doctoral programs in Educational Leadership when they attend The Pennsylvania State University. Applicants who choose the Ph.D. in Educational Leadership will complete a minimum of 18 credit hours in educational leadership courses, nine credit hours of fieldwork, and 12 credit hours of research. Students will also complete their dissertation, which will typically take a total of 9 credit hours. The Ph.D. program is the more flexible option of the two doctoral programs in educational leadership, but the admissions requirements for both doctoral programs are identical, so students have a lot of freedom in choosing the program that most appeals to their educational goals. To apply to the Ph.D. program, students must submit their application materials by December 1st for admission in the following fall semester. Application materials include a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, the application fee, and the official application. Students interested in certification must also submit a writing sample.
D.Ed. in Educational Leadership
Students who enroll in the D.Ed. program will need to complete a total of 90 credits in similar areas to the Ph.D. program with at least 30 of those credits being earned on campus at University Park. Students can transfer previously earned credits into the program under certain circumstances, but those credits must have been earned no more than five years in the past. Students will work with an academic advisor to create a plan to complete their degree and will need to pass a comprehensive written examination, as well as complete a special project or thesis to graduate from the program. To apply to the program, students will need to submit official GRE scores, scores from the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or results from taking the Law School Admissions (LSAT). Students interested in the superintendent program must apply for a Letter of Eligibility, and the superintendent option is currently only available through on-campus study.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
Educational Leadership
The Pennsylvania State University
200 Rackley Building
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: 814-865-1487
Email: EDLDR@psu.edu
West Chester University
The Graduate School
Located in Chester County, Pennsylvania, West Chester University was founded in 1871 and is part of the state’s university system. With more than 17,000 students, West Chester University is the largest state school in the system. The campus covers 388 acres and is located around 25 miles west of Philadelphia. The school’s official colors are gold and purple, and the sports teams are nicknamed the Golden Rams in their NCAA Division II games. The school’s mascot is Rammy, and 23 varsity teams play at the university. The first four-year program was instituted at the university in 1927 when it was dubbed West Chester State Teachers College.
Doctor of Education in Policy, Planning, and Administration
This Ed.D. program in Pennsylvania requires that students have a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning, submit GRE scores, and submit three letters of recommendation. Students must also submit to an interview if the admissions committee requests it, as well as send a resume and a professional writing demonstration. The university also requests that students submit all transcripts from previous institutions attended. Within the program, students will complete 18 credits of professional core courses, 12 credits of research methods courses, 12 credits of courses in the student’s area of concentration, and pass a comprehensive exam. Classes a student will take in the program include Innovation in Curriculum Development & Evaluation, Educating All Students in a Diverse Society, and Political & Legal Trends in Education Policy. At the conclusion of the program, students will complete eight program goals that include understanding current trends in education and effective communication in education.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
105 Recitation Hall
West Chester University
West Chester, PA 19383
Phone: 610-436-2944
Email: rhaworth@wcupa.edu
Widener University
School of Human Service Professions
Widener University is a private school in Chester, Pennsylvania that was founded in 1821 as a preparatory school. It would become a college in 1862. The university has secondary campuses in Harrisburg and Exton, Pennsylvania, as well as another campus in Wilmington, Delaware. Around 6,400 students attend the university within eight degree-granting schools. The main campus in Chester covers 108 acres, and the university’s official colors are gold and Widener blue. The school has 20 varsity teams who play as the Pride in Division III games within the NCAA. The university is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research University, as well as a Community Engagement Institution.
K-12 Educational Leadership (MEd)
The graduate degree in educational leadership at Pennsylvania’s Widener University is described as unique by the school’s administration. The program is designed to allow students to move into educational careers in administration and leadership. Students may also earn certificates for principal, superintendent, and supervisory status, and graduates may continue into the doctoral program at the university. The flexible program is designed as a part-time experience with online and on-campus classes that may be completed at the student’s own pace. After earning the degree, students may be able to find work at charter schools, public school districts, private schools, universities, colleges, and education agencies at the federal and state levels. The program allows students to tailor the program to their personal interests, and many of the faculty members in the program have several years of experience in the field of education. Students are encouraged to speak with professors before applying to gain a better understanding of the program.
K-12 Educational Leadership (EdD)
Within the doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Widener University, students can choose one of three concentrations that include School System Leadership, Pupil Services Leadership, and Instructional Technology Leadership. Students can earn a Superintendent Certification while earning their Ed.D., as well as enjoy part-time scheduling of classes. Some of the potential careers a student may consider after earning their Ed.D. include Superintendent, Principal, or Assistant Superintendent. Classes in the program a student may take include Personnel Management for School Administrators, Introduction to Educational Research Studies and Process, and Policy & Public Relations in K-12 Education. The Ed.D. program is described as challenging for all applicants whether they’re education veterans or novice educators. While earning their doctorate, students may also consider enrolling in classes for various certificates in Teacher Leadership, Special Education, and Higher Education Leadership & Practice. Students may also begin with a certificate program and then apply to the doctoral program if they decide a multi-year degree is something they want to accomplish.
Accreditations
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
Contact
One University Place
Chester, PA 19013
Phone: 610-499-4622
Email: zmwolfe@widener.edu
Related Resource: 15 Cheapest Online Programs in Educational Leadership and Administration
Educational leadership is an excellent area to study for current teachers who are interested in creating positive change within their educational organizations. The topic is suitable for novice teachers, as well as veteran professionals who want to broaden their horizons and benefit from current methodologies, theories, and practices in education. Students may want to speak with alumni of educational leadership programs to gain a better understanding of what program may offer the best experience. The first step to enrolling in one of the educational leadership degree programs in Pennsylvania is speaking with a program administrator or admissions counselor at one of the state’s excellent institutions of higher learning.