Educational Leadership, Ed.S. (State Credential Track, Illinois)

This program is designed to prepare licensed and experienced teachers for educational leadership. This sequence of courses qualifies the candidate to earn the credential necessary to become a principal. For more details visit Licensure and Endorsements at NLU.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

PLO1. Candidates acquire dispositions that help to ensure that students are at the center of all educational decisions. 

PLO2. Candidates gain and apply content knowledge in leadership, organizational theory, community relations, education law, curriculum and instruction, resource allocation, data-informed decision making, management and operations, tiered systems of support, and other sub-specialty areas.

PLO3. Candidates experience situations to develop skills to facilitate collaboration, innovation, change, and conflict resolution.

PLO4. Candidates enhance their abilities in listening and communicating effectively, engaging stakeholders in decision making, developing interpersonal effectiveness, and developing problem solving skills utilizing creativity.

PLO5. Candidates learn and employ the leadership dispositions and attitudes that lead to school change. 

In addition to the National College of Education Graduate Admission Requirements, the program requires:

• A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution 
• A copy of the applicant’s valid and current Illinois Professional Educator License
  • Signed Licensure Limitation Form (for applicants who do not currently hold a valid Illinois PEL)
• Letter of recommendation on official letterhead from the principal or human resources verifying at least two years of teaching experience (four years teaching in a public or non-public school recognized by ISBE is required prior to endorsement)
• In-person interview with no fewer than two of the program's full-time faculty members
• Submission of an on-site, written response by the applicant to an education scenario provided by the program
• A portfolio to be submitted during the interview process, including evidence in the following areas:
  • Support for all students achieving high standards of learning
  • Accomplished classroom instruction, which shall include data providing evidence of two years of student growth and learning within the last five years
  • Significant leadership roles in past positions
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Analytic abilities needed to collect and analyze data for student improvement
  • Demonstrated respect for family and community
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices

Program Details:

• Requires 30 SH for completion
• Requires an internship
• Credit for Prior Learning may be accepted for EDL 529

Required Courses

EDL 510	Leadership and Organizational Development	2
EDL 520	Leading Diverse Schools	2
EDL 521	Building School Community Partnerships	2
EDL 522	Leading Student-Centered Schools	2
EDL 523	Navigating School and Special Education Law	2
EDL 525	Decision-Making for Educational Systems and Organizations	2
EDL 526	Realizing Vision through Technical, Human, and Financial Resources	2
EDL 527	Guaranteeing a Differentiated and Coherent Curriculum	2
EDL 528	Maintaining Accountability with Data Use and Program Evaluation	2
EDL 529	Improving Instruction through Teacher Evaluation and Professional Development	2
EDL 570	Internship Seminar I: Organizing Leadership Competency Planning	1
EDL 571	Internship Seminar II: Resume Building and Professional Writing for Educational Leaders	1
EDL 572	Internship Seminar III: Demonstrating School Leadership Competence	2
EDL 598	Administration and Supervision Internship	1 TO 6

Note: EDL 598 must be taken for a total of 6 semester hours.

Internship Requirements

To successfully complete the internship, the candidate must display competency in 36 areas as outlined by the Southern Regional Board of Education and exhibit leadership in 80 percent of the competencies. Approved site mentors and faculty supervisors complete a set of assessments from the State of Illinois to ensure candidates are prepared for principalship.

Additional ISBE Requirements for Endorsement:

• Candidates must pass Principal as Instructional Leader Content Area Tests (#195 & 196)
• Candidates must complete the Teacher Evaluation Training Academy