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Expand Your Role and Impact
Prepare for school leadership while earning both your Education Specialist (EdS) degree and K-12 Principal Licensure. Designed for busy working professionals, this combined program helps you fulfill principal licensure requirements while earning an advanced graduate credential that can support continued career growth in educational leadership. Our curriculum is differentiated for public, Catholic and charter school leaders so you are ready to put leading practices into service for the day-to-day needs of your school.
This program is designed for educators who:
Education leaders today work in rapidly changing environments and need to collaborate with others, develop sound policies, listen to diverse points of view, and think critically while acting ethically. Through this program, you will build a strong foundation in educational leadership that prepares you to implement effective administrative policies and lead meaningful change. With a focus on social justice, our program is guided by current practitioners as well as award-winning educators and leaders.
Cohort model, online courses
Summer, fall or spring semester (you choose)
Not sure which pathway is right for you? Compare your options for the Principal Licensure.
| Principal Licensure Only | EdS + Principal Licensure | |
|---|---|---|
Graduate Credits for Completion |
25 |
31 |
Credential Earned |
Education Specialist (EdS) + Principal Licensure (this program) |
|
Best For |
Experienced education leaders who already have sufficient graduate credits (35) and want to earn licensure without another degree. |
Educators who want Principal licensure while also earning an Education Specialist (EdS) degree. |
Why Students Choose This Option |
Most direct path to licensure. |
Earn an additional graduate degree while completing licensure requirements that may support future leadership and career advancement. |
All new students enrolling in the EdS with administrative licensure program for Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 will be eligible for 35% tuition savings (for Fall 2026 semester) or 30% tuition savings (for Spring 2027 semester) through the School of Education’s Excellence in School Leadership Fund. This 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 can complete the program at a fraction of the typical tuition cost. This exclusive opportunity makes high-quality graduate education more accessible, allowing you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to drive meaningful change in schools and communities.
Simply submit your St. Thomas application to determine your eligibility!
The EdS and Principal Licensure program consists of 31 credits. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program. Course schedules are subject to change.
| 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 Professional Pre-assessment (1 credit) - EDLD 826 School Finance - EDLD 832 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 Field Experience II (1 credit) |
- EDLD 874 Principal K-12 | - EDLD 801 Leadership and Organization Theory - EDLD 834 Field Experience III (1 credit) - EDLD 820 School Law |
- EDLD 840 Admin of Special Programs - EDLD 877 Portfolio Assessment - File for BOSA application |
The EdS and Principal Licensure program consists of 31 credits. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program. Course schedules are subject to change.
| 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 Professional Pre-assessment (1 credit) - EDLD 805 Supervision - EDLD832 Field Experience I (1 credit) |
- EDLD 874 Principal K-12 | - EDLD 801 Leadership and Organization Theory - EDLD 833 - 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 - Field Experience III (1 credit) |
- EDLD 877 Portfolio Assessment - EDLD 621 Research design, analysis, and critique - File for BOSA application |
The EdS and Principal Licensure program consists of 31 credits. An initial tier 3 teaching license is required to enroll in this program. Course schedules are subject to change.
| 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 Professional Pre-assessment (1 credit) - EDLD 820 School Law - EDLD 832 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 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 Field Experience III (1 credit) |
- EDLD 874 Principal K-12 | - EDLD 877 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.
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.