At Northwestern, take relevant courses taught by practicing administrators. Gain knowledge from their years of valuable experience in diverse districts. Throughout the program, you will have the unique opportunity to be mentored by a practicing school administrator as leadership coach who will invest in you and your goals. Our M.Ed. in Educational Administration + Principal Endorsement curriculum is aligned with the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) Professional Standards for Educational Leaders and Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL) and fulfills the educational requirements for an initial administrator license in Iowa.
It's more than a lane change.
Earning a graduate degree doesn't have to cost you time away from your other responsibilities. Northwestern College's online Masters in Educational Administration + Principal Endorsement means you can log into class each week to complete your coursework, whenever it's most convenient for you.
Take one online 8-week class at a time, completing two classes each semester, and you'll finish your M.Ed. in about 2 years and be eligible for financial aid.
The program requires 37 credit hours, which includes 30 online course credit hours and 7 credit hours of practical and enriching field experience. You can expect to complete the coursework for your Masters in Educational Administration in about 2 years. With the completion of your program, we will recommend you to the state for your Principal Endorsement certification.
Applicants should have at least one school year of teaching experience or can be in their first year of teaching. This allows students to complete some of the program's valuable internships in their own district. This requirement may be waived by the program director.
Courses:
EDAD 510 - Creating a Culture for Learning
The principal is responsible for school culture. This course will foster future principals' ability to nurture and sustain a school culture conducive to student achievement and teacher flourishing. Student learning and development, and teachers' professional development are primary topics. (3 credits)
EDAD 520 - Law, Politics and the Principal
The principal serves as a strong advocate for students, teachers and the school. In this course, future principals will delve deeply into current issues in PK-12 education, define their positions on issues, and hone communication skills necessary for advocating on behalf of students, teachers and their schools. Particular attention will be devoted to networking and relationship building among decision-makers and influencers. (3 credits)
EDAD 530 - School, Families and the Community
The principal is responsible for ensuring families and the community are integral stakeholders in the success of a school. In this course, future principals will develop an ability to leverage stakeholders using knowledge of their needs, demographics and cultures to improve student outcomes. (3 credits)
EDAD 530I - School, Families and the Community Internship
Working closely with a leadership coach, future principals will apply coursework in an internship experience at the early childhood level. This course is to be taken concurrently with EDAD530. (2 credits)
EDAD 540 - Operations Management
The principal is responsible for academic and non-academic functions within a school building. In this course, future principals will gain knowledge pertaining to nonacademic duties of the principal including supervision of facilities and services. Course topics will include budgeting, scheduling, resource acquisition, technology, school safety and governance processes. (3 credits)
EDU 560 - Curriculum & Assessment of Student Learning
Through a process of discussion, reflection, reading, discovery and practice, this course will lead students to a more comprehensive understanding of how curriculum and assessment are interrelated. Students will delve into timely issues associated with curriculum and assessment affecting schools. Upon completion, students will be prepared to develop aligned curriculum and assessment that takes into consideration local, state and national standards, best practices and students' diverse needs.
Prerequisite: completed bachelor's degree in education. (3 credits)
EDAD 610 - Instructional Leadership
The principal serves as the instructional leader of the building. In this course, future principals will learn to set a vision for learning with stakeholders and implement a plan to achieve that vision. Students will know state requirements for curriculum, instruction and assessment, learn to conduct a needs assessment, use systems thinking to develop long-term solutions, and create an action plan to improve student learning. (3 credits)
EDAD 620 - Data and School Improvement
The principal must use data to make decisions that impact students, teachers and the school. In this course, future principals will learn to identify areas of need using data; construct action research to solve a school improvement project; discern excellent sources for data; read, interpret and analyze data; plan and monitor goals to address deficiencies; and inform stakeholders of findings, progress and outcomes. (3 credits)
EDAD 620I - Data and School Improvement Internship
Working closely with a leadership coach, future principals will apply coursework in an internship experience at the secondary level. This course is to be taken concurrently with EDAD620. (2 credits)
SPED 612 - Social Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education
This course is an intensive study of the legislation and litigation involved with individuals with disabilities specifically concentrating on those students between the ages of birth - 21 years. A historical as well as current study of legislation used as the basis for providing special education services on the federal and state level will be covered. The legal system on the federal and state level is covered as well as critical litigations that have influenced the field of special education. The student will become knowledgeable about the legal precedence for all that they do as a special educator. (3 credits)
SPED 612I - Social Legal and Ethical Issues in Special Education Internship
Working closely with a leadership coach, future principals will apply coursework in an internship experience in a special education setting. This course is to be taken concurrently with SPED612. (1 credit)
EDAD 630 - Ethics, Supervision and Evaluation
The principal is responsible for the quality of instruction and care of students in a school. In this course, future principals will learn to use their knowledge of model teaching to evaluate teachers and programs, using justice, integrity, fairness and courage. Students in this course will complete Iowa Evaluator Training to prepare for licensure. (3 credits)
EDAD 630I - Ethics, Supervision and Evaluation Internship
Working closely with a leadership coach, future principals will apply coursework in an internship experience at the elementary level. This course is to be taken concurrently with EDAD630. (2 credits)
EDAD 635 - Professional Portfolio
Candidates will demonstrate the ability to integrate the National Educational Leadership Professional Standards by conducting action research leading to a school improvement project. Prerequisites: EDAD510, EDAD520, EDAD530, EDAD530I, EDAD540, EDAD560, EDAD610, EDAD620, EDAD620I, SPED612, SPED612I, EDAD630 & EDAD630I. (3 credits)
Total credits required: 37
