Three accredited educational leadership degree programs in Utah are available on-campus or online for “Beehive State” teachers to assume greater responsibility running successful schools. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Utah 10th for education quality with an 85.2 percent high school graduation rate. Forbes’ second best state has 41 K-12 districts inspiring over 650,000 pupils in 7,872 schools. In May 2018, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were 4,150 education administrators statewide earning $93,560 on average. Utah schools, including the top-ranked Salt Lake Arts Academy, George Washington Academy, Intech Collegiate High School, Karl Maesar Prep, and Edith Bowen Laboratory School, need strong leaders. Peruse the following educational leadership degree programs in Utah with CAEP accreditation to hone the managerial skills for coordinating academic operations.
Brigham Young University
David O. McKay School of Education
Hosting the Instructional Leadership Conference each March, Brigham Young University is a nonprofit, space-grant Mormon NAICU member that serves 33,633 Cougars from 105 countries in 267 academic majors at its 295-building Provo location facing the majestic Mount Timpanogos. BYU was crowned America’s 135th best university by the Wall Street Journal, 67th top private college in Forbes, and 17th best campus on Niche. Dedicated to Moroni 7:13, the David O. McKay School of Education founded in 1913 ranks 78th nationally on the U.S. News & World Report for accredited educational leadership degree programs in Utah with a 60 percent first-year placement rate.
Educational Leadership M.Ed.
Open until March 1st and January 15th annually, Brigham Young’s Educational Leadership M.Ed. trains currently certified teachers for advanced administration jobs facilitating effective learning programs in K-12 districts or higher education. Chaired by Dr. Pamela Hallam, the 1996 Utah State Principal of the Year, this 39-credit, CAEP-approved curriculum splits into two tracks for School Leadership or Education Policy Studies. Currently, the selective admission rate is 38 percent to enroll 35 post-grads presenting an average 302 GRE score. The Accelerated Preparation Program lets second master’s students graduate in only 15 months. Each M.Ed. major completes 400-hour internship placements, such as Amelia Earhart Elementary or Provo High. After the thesis project, individuals will qualify for the Administrative Praxis exam. Note there’s also an Educational Leadership Ed.D. available on even-numbered years.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
McKay Building Room 306
1060 East Campus Drive
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 422-4291
edlfsec@byu.edu
Utah State University
School of Teacher Education and Leadership
Home to the 100,000-square-foot Sorenson Foundation Center for Excellence, Utah State University is a selective, land-grant ORAU member founded in 1888 that owns 7,000 total acres to educate 27,932 Aggies from 78 countries in 315 academic programs and generate $240 million in research awards. USU was declared America’s 32nd best college by Washington Monthly, 67th top teachers school on Niche, and 25th most underrated institution in Business Insider. The School of Teacher Education and Leadership boasts job placement above 94 percent in accredited educational leadership degree programs in Utah that rank 30th on the U.S. News & World Report.
Instructional Leadership M.Ed.
At 31 locations from Ephraim to Panguitch, Utah State’s Instructional Leadership M.Ed. prepares teachers with at least 3.0 GPAs and 12 months of classroom experience for ascending to upper-level leadership roles motivating education staff to better instill knowledge. The 42-credit, ELCC-aligned sequence headed by Dr. Blake Nemelka offers two specializations for K-12 School Leadership or Higher Education/Student Affairs. Intensive 6000-level courses like Curricular Accountability and Resource Management meet during evening hours after 5PM. Graduates arrange a 450-hour internship, such as Logan City School District or Alpine School District, to fulfill ASC licensure requirements. M.Ed. majors are encouraged to join Kappa Delta Pi and Mentors for Middle School Club. Aggies can apply for the Instructional Leadership Ph.D. distance program until February 1st too.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
2805 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322
(435) 797-0389
teal@usu.edu
Western Governors University
Teachers College Online
Granted the 2018 CODiE Award for Best Learning Relationship Management Solution, Western Governors University is a nonprofit, competency-based system based in Salt Lake City with eight affiliates that employ 3,936 faculty educating 110,534 Owls from 50 states in 55 majors. WGU was picked America’s 10th most innovative college on the U.S. News & World Report, 28th best organization by Fast Company, and 638th top master’s institution in Washington Monthly. The Teachers College Online is a 100Kin10 member ranked #1 for value by the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for accredited educational leadership degree programs in Utah with 97 percent satisfaction.
M.S. in Educational Leadership
Directed by Dr. Deborah Eldridge, Western Governors’ M.S. in Educational Leadership aligns to NELP standards to guide licensed teachers with minimum 2.5 GPAs toward K-12 principal certification for competently helming 21st-century, multicultural schools. The 13-course plan spans 12-22 months online via TaskStream based on each graduate student’s unique needs. Every six-month term, individuals select three-unit courses like Financial Management, Curriculum Design, and Leadership Ethics with simplified 24/7 access. Note online learners from Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, and Minnesota aren’t admitted. After 18 CUs, master’s majors complete a two-part practicum at placements, such as Davis School District or Park City School District. Until June 30th, entrants can apply for the $2,500 WGU Loves Teachers Scholarship to save green.
Accreditations
- Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Contact
4001 S 700 East, Suite 700
Salt Lake City, UT 84107
(801) 274-3280
studentservices@wgu.edu
Related Resource: Top 20 Master’s in Educational Administration Online
In 2010, the Educational Research Service estimated that nearly half of K-12 principals would retire or resign in this next decade. Poor principal retention rates are creating a nationwide shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an 8 percent increase in school administration jobs totaling 19,800 by 2026. Openings will grow even faster by 10 percent in postsecondary institutions. Landing these upper-level administrative positions requires an equal balance of education and hands-on work experience. Southwest residents can pick from three accredited educational leadership degree programs in Utah to begin CNN Money’s 67th best career.
