Educational Leadership Principal Licensure;
Master of Arts | Educational Specialist
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Online Programs for Rural School Leadership
An Online Degree and Principal Licensure Program
for Rural Educators
Our programs rank particularly high in student engagement
and in faculty credentials and training.
This program is a combination of three Principal Licensure and Educational Leadership degree options:
- Principal Licensure only (27 credit hours)
- Educational Leadership Master of Arts (M.A.) with Principal Licensure (30 credit hours)
- Educational Leadership Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) with Principal Licensure (30 credit hours for those with a master’s degree)
This online program is designed specifically for aspiring leaders in rural school districts, and the curriculum has been tailored to address the challenges faced by rural schools. You will learn to provide needed services to learners in education settings, create effective learning environments, affect policies that govern educational organizations, and model continuous learning with and for the citizens of your community.
All coursework is completed entirely online during two Fall and two Spring semesters, with Summers off. Each course will include synchronous learning sessions where the professor and students meet online at the same time.
You will complete the program in less than two years. Students will come to campus (Greeley, CO) during the Spring of year two to complete their comprehensive exam.
This program accepts applications throughout the year. Accepted applicants begin the program each Fall semester.
More Resources
FLEXIBLE - CONVENIENT - RELEVANT
Find out what our students have to say about the program
This Educational Leadership program is also offered face-to-face in various locations across Colorado. Please visit the Extended Studies Future Students page to see what location options are currently recruiting.
Educational Leadership MA/EdS; Principal Licensure brochure (pdf)
We also encourage you to visit the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies department for more information about each degree/licensure option and the department faculty.
Contact the Academic Program Coordinator
Educational Leadership Online Programs for Rural Dists.—Academic Program Coordinator
Spencer Weiler, Ph.D.
spencer.weiler@unco.edu
(970) 351-1016
Course of Study
Principal Licensure Only
The Principal Licensure program is 27 credit hours.
Educational Leadership Master of Arts (M.A.) with Principal Licensure
The M.A. degree is 30 credit hours (1 more course than licensure-only).
Educational Leadership Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) with Principal Licensure
The Ed.S. degree is 30 credit hours (1 more course than licensure-only).
Courses and Requirements
Each course will include synchronous learning sessions where the professor and students meet online at the same time. These sessions are tentatively planned for most Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. MT. Students will have input on session scheduling.
The ELPS 606 internship course credits are shown spread out evenly across each semester. You can personalize when you take your internship credits.
All students will need to come to campus (Greeley, CO) during the Spring of year two to complete their comprehensive exam.
*MA-only = Required for M.A. program only
**EdS-only = Required for Ed.S. program only
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Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Year 1 |
ELPS 601 Leadership Development through Inquiry (3) |
ELPS 654 Instructional Leadership and Supervision (3) |
Research course for MA and EdS students:
MA Students: *SRM 600 Introduction to Graduate Research (3) – Offered every odd-numbered summer
EdS Students: (3 options):
**SRM 670 Evaluation: Models and Designs (3) – Offered every odd-numbered summer OR
**SRM 602 Statistical Methods I (3) OR
**SRM 680 Introduction to Qualitative Research (3) – Both offered every even numbered summer |
ELPS 603 Shaping Organizations: Management and Leadership in Education (3) |
ELPS 604 Understanding People: Professional Development and Educational Leadership (3) |
ELPS 606 Internship in Educational Leadership (2) |
ELPS 606 Internship in Educational Leadership (2) |
Year 2 |
ELPS 605 External Environments: Social, Political, and Economic Influences in Educational Leadership (3) |
ELPS 670 The Principalship: Leadership at the School Site Level (3) |
ELPS 660 Law and the Administrator (3) |
Comprehensive Exam (on-campus) & Graduation! |
ELPS 606 Internship in Educational Leadership (2) |
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Admission Requirements and Transfer Credit
Admission Requirements
M.A. and/or Principal Licensure Programs
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a 3.0 grade point average or better (4.0 scale) to be eligible for regular admission.
Ed.S./Principal Licensure Program
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree and a master’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and a 3.0 grade point average or better (4.0 scale) on the prior degree to be eligible for regular admission. In addition, applicants must have adequate academic background and two years of experience related to educational leadership.
Eligibility by State
UNC has secured approval from almost every state, as required by new federal regulations, so that students are eligible to apply to online programs at UNC. However we are unable to accept applications at this time for our online programs from students residing in a few select states because their requirements, particularly application fees, for such approval are prohibitive. Please verify your Eligibility by State before applying.
Note: All international students residing outside of the United States are eligible to apply to our online programs. Students attending online while residing outside of the United States do not need student visas for admission.
Transferring Credit
Applicable graduate credit may be applied towards this academic program. In order for credits to be accepted toward a degree they must be graduate level credits, be approved by the Academic Advisor, and have a grade of A or B. Once approved by the advisor, students must complete a Petition to Count Work in a Degree Program to have the credit approved by the Grad School. Master's and specialist degree students must complete a minimum of 24 credits at the University of Northern Colorado. All work counted in a degree program must be within five years for a master's degree and six years for a specialist degree. The time limit is calculated from the beginning of the first class transferred in and counted in the degree program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition
This program is offered through the UNC Office of Extended Studies, which means a flat per-credit tuition rate for all students in the program. There are no student fees. Certain courses may carry specific course fees for additional services and materials.
Tuition rates are set each academic year (which begin each Fall semester). The tuition rate for the 2012-13 school year for this program is $495 per credit hour.
Financial Aid—Licensure-only
Principal Licensure-only program students (non-degree seeking) aren't eligible for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Details about the federal aid program are available at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Your program coordinator may be aware of your eligibility for any discipline or campus-based aid if available.
Extended Studies students may contact Aimee Rogers in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.
Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Financial Aid—Master of Arts and Educational Specialist Degree Students
Students who cannot pay for tuition alone are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid. Students must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA priority filing date for each academic year (which begins each August) is March 1. Late submissions of the FAFSA are still accepted but may not be considered for the maximum amount of aid.
Master’s and specialist degree students require a minimum of 5 credits per academic term for financial aid eligibility. Full time enrollment is based on 9 credits.
To apply for federal financial aid assistance
Fill out the FAFSA form at www.fafsa.ed.gov
Extended Studies degree seeking students may contact Aimee Rogers in Financial Aid for more specific help at (970) 351-2502 or visit UNC Financial Aid website.
Students can also find information in the Guide to Federal Student Aid at studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html
Get Started
The Educational Leadership Online program for rural districts begins each Fall term. Applications are accepted all year, but his online program will be capped at 15-20 students each year.
To begin the application process, you will apply to the UNC Graduate School and also submit application materials to the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies (ELPS) department (see links below). Once your application submission is complete, it will be reviewed by the graduate school and ELPS for an admission decision. A completed application typically takes four to six weeks to process.
Take the Next Step—Begin the Application Process
2. Also submit ELPS application materials
Visit the ELPS web site:
A. On the left side of the page, choose either Master of Arts (M.A.); Ed. Specialist (Ed.S.); or Principal/Admin
B. Then on the left side of the page, choose Application Requirements
