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Expand Your Role and Impact
Our principal licensure at the University of St. Thomas is designed for busy working professionals with a master's degree in educational leadership looking to fulfill required competencies for a K-12 Principal licensure. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program. Our curriculum is differentiated for public, Catholic and charter school leaders so you are ready to put into service leading practices for the day-to-day needs of YOUR schools.
Education leaders today deal with rapidly changing environments and need to be able to collaborate with others to develop sound policies, listen well to and facilitate diverse points of view and think critically while acting ethically. Through this program, you will develop a strong foundation and understanding of leadership in education. These skills will help you analyze and implement sound administrative policies and create successful strategies for change. With a focus on social justice, our program is guided by current practitioners in the field, as well as award-winning educators and leaders who are here to help you meet the demands of educational leadership during and after the pandemic.
The University of St. Thomas School of Education also co-founded the Minnesota Institute for Trauma-Informed Education (MITIE) to develop, support, and advance the field of trauma-informed and trauma-engaged education. The Institute seeks to provide an arena for scholars, practitioners, and researchers to convene and learn about the latest practices in trauma-informed education.
Cohort model, online courses
Summer, fall or spring semester (you choose)
More Accessible, More Flexible
All new students enrolling in the EdS with administrative licensure program will be eligible for financial support through the School of Education’s new Excellence in School Leadership Fund.
This new fund was established to support and elevate school leaders in K-12 schools. As a result of our investment in administrative leaders, most students seeking their first EdS degree with administrative licensure will complete and earn this degree for less than $14,000 (plus fees).
Apply today and start in summer, fall or spring!
This program allowed me to see the leadership gifts within me and to grow as an educational leader in my school and abroad. The connections I made are leading me to the next right steps in my career. The cohort style offers flexibility and community. The work is meaningful, practical and applicable in real time; and it was enriching to collaborate with professionals in such an engaging way. I highly recommend this program to anyone with an interest in educational leadership.
The EdS and Principal program consists of 31 credits. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program.
| Term | Summer I | Fall | J-Term | Spring | Summer II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Courses |
-Welcome to the Ed.S. Program | Online Orientation -EDLD 807 Foundations of Leadership: An Intellectual/Ethical Practice -EDLD 770 or EDLD 810 Professional Pre-assessment (1 credit) -EDLD 826 School Finance -EDLD 832/EDLD 852 Field Experience I (1 credit) |
-EDLD 884 Social Justice Leadership and Pedagogy (2 credits) -EDLD 621 Research design, analysis, and critique -EDLD 805 Supervision -EDLD 833/EDLD 853 Field Experience II (1 credit) |
-EDLD 874 Principal K-12 |
-EDLD 801 Leadership and Organization Theory -EDLD 834/EDLD 854 Field Experience III (1 credit) -EDLD 820 School Law |
-EDLD 840 Admin of Special Programs -EDLD 877/EDLD 878 Portfolio Assessment -File for BOSA application |
The EdS and Principal program consists of 31 credits. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program.
| Term | Fall I | J-Term | Spring | Summer | Fall II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Courses |
-Welcome to the Ed.S. Program | Online Orientation -EDLD 884 Social Justice Leadership and Pedagogy (2 credits) -EDLD 770 or EDLD 810 Professional Pre-assessment (1 credit) -EDLD 805 Supervision -EDLD832/EDLD852 Field Experience I (1 credit) |
-EDLD 874 Principal K-12 |
-EDLD 801 Leadership and Organization Theory -EDLD 833/EDLD 853 - Field Experience II (1 credit) -EDLD 820 School Law |
-EDLD 807 Foundations of Leadership: An Intellectual/Ethical Practice -EDLD 840 Admin of Special Programs -EDLD 826 School Finance -EDLD 834/EDLD 854 - Field Experience III (1 credit) |
-EDLD 877/EDLD 878 Portfolio Assessment -EDLD 621 Research design, analysis, and critique -File for BOSA application |
The EdS and Principal program consists of 31 credits. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program.
| Term | Spring I | Summer | Fall | J-Term | Spring II |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Courses |
-Welcome to the EdS Program | Online Orientation -EDLD 801 Leadership and Organization Theory -EDLD 770 or EDLD 810 Professional Pre-assessment (1 credit) -EDLD 820 School Law -EDLD 832/EDLD 852 Field Experience I (1 credit) |
-EDLD 807 Foundations of Leadership: An Intellectual/Ethical Practice -EDLD 840 Admin of Special Programs -EDLD 826 School Finance -EDLD 833/EDLD 853 Field Experience II (1 credit) |
-EDLD 884 Social Justice Leadership and Pedagogy (2 credits) -EDLD 621 Research design, analysis, and critique -EDLD 805 Supervision -EDLD834/EDLD854 Field Experience III (1 credit) |
-EDLD 874 Principal K-12 |
-EDLD 877/EDLD 878 Portfolio Assessment -File for BOSA application |
EdS faculty are experienced practitioners and licensed administrators
Dr. Wharton-Beck began her career as a teacher for hearing impaired students in the Chicago Public Schools. Her leadership positions include mentoring and coaching teachers, serving as an adjunct faculty in higher education and as an elementary school principal.
During her 24-year education career Dr. Rens has been a director of curriculum and instruction, an elementary principal, curriculum coordinator and high school English teacher. In each role, her focus has been on the students and making sure that every decision is made with them in mind.
Dr. Greg Martin is the principal of Chaska Middle School East and has taught in the EdS program at St. Thomas since 2015. He has previously served as a high school administrator, middle and high school teacher, and coach in numerous districts across Minnesota. Martin received a certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University in 2021.
Growing Together
The National Urban Alliance for Effective Education (NUA) and the University of St. Thomas teamed up for a three-day Summer Institute focused on training K-12 educators to help every child reach their potential.