Program Details
Total Credit Hours
30 credit hours
The 30-credit hour M.Ed. program combines a core set of courses centered around: Educational leadership, Legal and diversity issues and Data assessment.
Program Length
5 Semesters
Students typically take one or two courses per term, depending on whether they want to graduate in one, two or more years. There is flexibility in the program to adjust to individual needs of pacing as work demands and graduate school are balanced to fit the graduate student’s life.
Mode
Hybrid: A blend of online and in-person with some evening and/or weekend sessions required. Students meet in person 4 times a semester. Many of the courses in the M.Ed. program are paired with practicum-based courses that include job-embedded experiences in collaboration with principals, coaches, or other school leadership. There is a fee associated with these courses.
All faculty have served in a school leadership position, and the university partners with school districts to ensure currency and relevance of the curriculum. Adjunct faculty in the program are current administrators in partnering school districts. You complete your practicum in your school district.
Required Core Courses
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MEd 5150 Instructional Leadership
A study of skills required to be a successful school leader. Areas of interest include leadership style, management, assessment and motivation. Effective teaching and the use of assessment are examined.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As Needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5161 Community and School Resource Management
Emphasis on teaching and roles in the development of effective schools and student learning. Practical, research-based information focused on technology, reform movements, and communication techniques designed to prepare school personnel for positive public relations programs and support for schools. An emphasis is on support of instruction, improvement of school climate and learning performance, professional development, and school reform.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5171 Practicum - Instructional Leadership
Practicum that is focused on Continuous Improvement. Candidates will complete 45 hours of seminar and field based experiences in a K-12 school environment.
Fee: $100.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As needed
Notes: No Book Requirements
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MEd 5174 Practicum: Community and School Resource Management
Practicum that is focused on Management of the School. Candidates will complete 45 hours of seminar and field based experiences in a K-12 school environment.
Fee: $100.00
Credits: 3
Offered: Spring
Notes: No Book Requirement
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MEd 5175 Practicum - Evaluation for Effective Teaching
Practicum that is focused on continuous improvement of culture of teaching and learning through collaboration with stakeholders. Candidates will complete 45 hours of seminar and field based experiences in a K-12 school environment.
Fee: $100.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As needed
Notes: No Book Requirement
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MEd 5176 Practicum: Assessment for Leadership
Practicum that is focused on Instructional Leadership and Assessment. Candidates will complete 45 hours of seminar and field-based experiences in a K-12 school environment.
Fee: $100.00
Credits: 3
Corequisite: MEd 5406
Offered: As Needed
Notes: No Book Requirement
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MEd 5178 Practicum: Professional Learning and Growth
Practicum that is focused on designing, planning, and facilitating professional development activities using multiple sources of data. Candidates will complete 45 hours of seminar and field based experiences in a K-12 school environment.
Fee: $100.00
Credits: 3
Corequisite: MEd 5378
Offered: As needed
Notes: No Book Requirement
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MEd 5378 Professional Learning and Growth
This course is to prepare candidates to develop capacity of all educators by designing, planning, facilitating, and participating in collaborative professional learning using multiple sources of data.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Corequisite: MEd 5178
Offered: As needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5398 Evaluation for Effective Learning
This course presents theories, models, and research of teacher and instruction evaluation. The course also examines methods of effective teaching and school improvement. Students are trained in a variety of clinical settings under the supervision of practitioners.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As Needed
Notes: Book Requirement
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MEd 5406 Assessment for Leadership
This course develops an understanding of assessment and equips candidates to analyze data and lead improvement. The course will improve candidate learning and provide leadership for continuous school improvement, standards-based and data-driven improved problem-solving and internal accountability. Topics include current trends in curriculum development; defining objectives; planning for improvement; organization of instructional materials; curriculum evaluation relating to the improvement of teaching.
Fee: $30.00
Credits: 3
Offered: As Needed
Notes: Book Requirement
Graduation Requirements
Candidates must complete the following requirements to earn the Master of Education degree in Instructional Leadership at Cumberland University. Each candidate must successfully complete the required 30 semester hours of graduate coursework for the M.Ed. within seven calendar years from the date of entry as a degree-seeking student. All candidates must be in good academic standing to meet graduation requirements (see above). Each candidate must successfully pass the SLLA. Each candidate must receive the recommendation (approval) from the Graduate Studies Council of Cumberland University indicating this student to be representative of the high ideals of the graduate studies program of Cumberland University. Each candidate must file an Intent to Graduate form, pay the required graduation fees, and may participate in the Commencement Ceremonies. Participation is no longer required. Licensure Candidates must take and pass the Praxis SLLA exam prior to graduation.
Licensure-Only Option for Aspiring School Leaders
Candidates who have already obtained a Master’s degree in Education and wish to pursue “Licensure-only” can complete 18 minimum hours of the M.Ed. program, following a course of study designed with an advisor. Candidates must also pass the SLLA Praxis exam in order to be recommended for the Instructional Leadership License – Beginning (ILL-B). Licensure only candidates will be required to meet the same admission requirements and criteria as degree-seeking candidates. These requirements are set by the TN State Department of Education (SDE) and are required for all leadership candidates.