Educational Leadership Programs

NLU’s National College of Education offers the Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees in Educational Leadership for the broad educational aim of developing performance capacities in individuals seeking to lead schools and other learning organizations, develop teachers professionally, and promote the success of all students. 

The Ed.S. and M.Ed. degree program develops leader capacities based on national building-level standards advocated by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council. The program fosters capabilities in developing a shared vision of learning; sustaining positive and safe school cultures and instructional programs; managing school operational systems; using performance information to improve school programs; leading with integrity and equity within professional, legal, and policy frameworks; and advocating for school students, teachers, staff, families, and caregivers. The program develops leaders through substantial and sustained educational leadership projects, guided application experiences within educational settings, and key assessments of proficiency in developing leadership competencies.

For more information on state licensure and certification information please visit NLU’s Public Disclosures page. 

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs):

Through the program, candidates will gain and apply knowledge and dispositions so as to ensure that all students are at the center of all educational decisions. Specifically, Program Learning Outcomes of the EDL program include the following:

PLO 1: Mission, Vision and Improvement: Candidates collaboratively lead, design, and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities.

PLO 2: Ethics and Professional Norms: Candidates understand and demonstrate the capacity to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms.

PLO 3: Equity, Inclusiveness, and Cultural Responsiveness: Candidates develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive school culture.

PLO 4: Learning and Instruction: Candidates evaluate, develop, and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, data systems, supports, and assessment.

PLO 5: Community and External Leadership: Candidates to engage families, community, and school personnel in order to strengthen student learning, support school improvement, and advocate for the needs of their school and community.

PLO 6: Operations and Management: Candidates improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems; to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans; and to apply laws, policies, and regulations.

PLO 7: Building Professional Capacity: Candidates build the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning.

Educational Leadership Track (State Credential):

Applicants in Illinois who do not have a master’s degree and are seeking the principal endorsement should select the Educational Leadership, M.Ed. (state credential track, Illinois).

Applicants in Florida who do not have a master’s degree and are seeking educational leadership/school principal certification should select the Educational Leadership, M.Ed. (state credential track, Florida).

Applicants in Illinois who have a master’s degree and are seeking the principal endorsement should select the Educational Leadership, Ed.S. (state credential track, Illinois).

Applicants in Florida who have a master’s degree and are seeking educational leadership/school principal certification should select the Educational Leadership, Ed.S. (state credential track, Florida).

General Education Leadership Track (Non-Endorsement):

Applicants who do not have a master’s degree and are not seeking state endorsement should select the Educational Leadership, M.Ed. (General Education Leadership).

Applicants who have a master’s degree and are not seeking state endorsement should select the Educational Leadership, Ed.S. (General Education Leadership).

District Level Educational Leadership Track (State Credential):

Applicants in Illinois who have a master’s degree and the principal endorsement and wish to seek superintendent licensure should select the Educational Leadership, Ed.S. (District Level Educational Leadership track, Illinois).

Strategic Educational Leadership Track (Non-Endorsement):

Applicants who do not have a master's degree should select the Educational Leadership, M.Ed. (Strategic Education Leadership track)

Applicants who have a master’s degree should select the Educational Leadership, Ed.S. (Strategic Educational Leadership track)