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It's time to secure your promotion.

Looking to move up in your education career? The specialist degree in teacher leadership is for those committed to driving school improvement and those looking to take on leadership roles in the field. This 30-hour program means you can complete in as little as a year. 

Since Southeast has been preparing educators since 1873, you can feel confident in our history, our reputation, and our accreditation. We're consistently recognized for academic excellence by the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings for institutions in the Midwest and fully accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. 

What to Expect

As a teacher leadership major, you’ll focus on five different areas of leadership in the education field to become a well-rounded candidate for your next promotion. More specifically, you’ll have the opportunity to: 

  • Participate in an innovative project-based learning curriculum 
  • Continue working, and balancing life’s other responsibilities by taking online courses. 
  • Engage in productive learning relationships with students from a variety of districts. 
  • Gain real-world experience with an internship experience in your district. 

Online: Teaching Leadership Specialist Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Teacher Leadership by the Numbers

  • $67K

    Human Resource Specialists

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for human resource specialists is $67,650.

  • $74K

    Instructional Coordinators

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for an instructional coordinator is $74,620.

Ed.S. Teacher Leadership Curriculum

Degree Map

The degree program is designed to be completed in five semesters including summer. Students should contact an academic advisor each semester and use Degree Works to monitor their progress. Students may begin the degree during any semester.

In addition to the criteria established for general admission to graduate studies, applicants must have the following: 

  • A graduate GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale 
  • A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The master's degree must be appropriate to the student's educational objective. If not, the student will be required to take additional graduate work before regular admission is granted. 
  • A valid professional teaching certificate 

In addition, international applicants must have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 OR TOEFL score of 95. This requirement is for non- United States citizens who are not native English speakers. Students from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are exempt from English proficiency verification.

Applicants who are in the process of completing a master’s degree may be admitted to graduate study on a provisional basis and be allowed to complete a maximum of six semester hours of prerequisite coursework, if applicable, prior to graduation. If no prerequisite courses are needed, the student may complete a maximum of six semester hours applicable to program requirements prior to full admission to the program. 

  • EA709 Leadership and Communications (3)
  • EA710 Leading District Improvement (3)
  • EA718 Instructional Leadership Strategies II (3)
  • EA721 Data Driven Leadership for School Improvement (3)
  • EA722 Equity in Educational Leadership Practices (3)
  • EA727 Curriculum Development and Alignment (3)
  • EA730 Internship I (Field Experience) (3)
  • EA731 Internship II (Field Experience) (3)
  • EA737 Administration of Curriculum (3)
  • EA755 Ethics, Law, and Policy (3)
  • GR799 Education Specialist Oral Examination (0)

NOTE: This program does not lead to administrative certification. This program does not include principal or superintendent certification. 

NOTE: Internship I & II – Each internship is 112 hours for a combined 224 hours. The candidate will gain relevant experience in school/district/institution leadership by observing and assisting district/school level teacher leaders and/or administrators in the exercises of the role. 

NOTE: All courses are taught online with the 6 hours of internship conducted in the student’s school district. Students can typically complete the program in 5 semesters. 

Students will select one of five concentration areas of leadership: 

Operations Specialist: focus on financial management and leadership, school plant planning and operations, communications and public relations, food service, and safety. 

Curriculum and Data Specialist: focus on curriculum development and alignment at the district level, data for school improvement, innovation in instructional practices, interventions for diverse populations, and professional development. 

Instructional Technology Specialist: focus on trends in instructional technology, designing instruction for online learning, integrating technology into teaching in the elementary and secondary classroom, and leadership in instructional technology in the district. 

Human Resource Specialist: staffing analysis, hiring and termination practices, mentoring, evaluations, benefits, HR management. 

Instructional Coach: focus on helping teachers develop their skills in curriculum, instruction, and assessment; focus on professional development and mentoring. 

College of Education, Health and Human Studies

This degree is housed within the College of Education, Health and Human Studies. The college boasts programs that train students in mind, body, and soul. So, whether you want to teach, to care, to support, or to fix, we have a program to get you there.

Online Learning at Southeast

When it comes to your success, we do whatever it takes. Online learning at Southeast takes the same reputable college courses taught by Southeast faculty and makes them available anytime, anywhere.

Earn Your Degree on Your Schedule.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accreditations

  • Apple Distinguished School logo
  • CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) logo

Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

What Can You Do with a Specialist Degree in Teacher Leadership?

The Specialist in Teacher Leadership program prepares students to work in leadership roles in schools and school districts. While enhancing your instructional and leadership skills, the program also prepares students for non-certificated administration roles such as directors and coordinators of various operations in districts. 

The Specialist in Teacher Leadership program prepares you to take on roles as: 

  • Operations Specialist 
  • Curriculum and Data Specialist 
  • Instructional Technology Specialist 
  • Human Resource Specialist 
  • Instructional Coach 
Phone
Advising
(573) 651-5184
Location
Office Location
Kent Library 305
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 4610
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

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