Educational Leadership
Master of Education Program

A graduate degree in educational leadership is designed for teachers or administrators wishing to complete a master's degree or certification as principals and/ or directors of instruction. Already have a masters? Students can also earn the principal or director of instruction license without the M.Ed through our certificate program. 

Pursue the critical study of organizational leadership in K-12 schools and to assume leadership roles in those settings. Depending on the path chosen, our program prepares students for either the Wisconsin Director of Instruction license or the Wisconsin Principal license.

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We inspire and develop the "Marquette Educator"

The Master of Education program prepares graduate students to be exceptional educational leaders. Through a systematic focus on the social, cultural, philosophical and historical contexts of education, we are committed to the development of professionals as agents of critical inquiry and social justice.

The College of Education Marquette University is committed to developing the next generation of school leaders. Our faculty are dedicated to developing outstanding professional change agents in search of social justice.

Through our mission of "cura personalis" we prepare educators to uphold the Jesuit tradition of care for the person, social justice and academic, excellence, ethical behavior and service to the urban community.

M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Program Requirements

Students in the educational leadership master's program must complete a total of 33 credit hours of course work for the master of education degree in educational leadership.

This program consists of 27 core credits with 6 credits specific to earn either the director of instruction or the principal certification. Students complete a 75-hour practicum in K-12 schools/districts.  

Director of Instruction Prerequisites and Required Course Work

Prerequisites for Licensure:
Wisconsin Teaching license
Licensed teaching experience

Required courses:  
Introduction to Educational Inquiry 3
Organizational Theory and Administration in K-12 Schools 3
Politics and Community in Educational Organizations 3
Business Administration of the Educational Organization 3
History of Education in the United States 3
American Law and the Educational Organization 3
Instructional Leadership 3
Curriculum Leadership 3
Capstone in Educational Policy and Leadership 3
Required certification course work: 6
Learning and Curriculum Theories  
Director of Instruction Practicum  
Total Credit Hours: 33

 

Principal Prerequisites and Required Course Work

Prerequisites for Licensure:
Wisconsin Teaching license
Licensed teaching experience

Introduction to Educational Inquiry 3
Organizational Theory and Administration in K-12 Schools 3
Politics and Community in Educational Organizations 3
Business Administration of the Educational Organization 3
History of Education in the United States 3
American Law and the Educational Organization 3
Instructional Leadership 3
Curriculum Leadership 3
Capstone in Educational Policy and Leadership 3
Required certification course work: 6
The Principalship  
Principalship Practicum  
Total Credit Hours: 33

Take the next step towards your future

Application requirements and other important information to apply for the M.Ed. in educational leadership graduate program at Marquette University are detailed below. We also encourage and welcome prospective students to visit us in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and take a tour of the College of Education facilities on the Marquette University campus. 


 

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To be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at Marquette University, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution or international equivalent must be completed prior to starting graduate school.
  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
  • A valid Wisconsin teaching license, including 3 years teaching experience with this license, is currently required by the end of the program, to receive an administrative license from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
  • Demonstrated English proficiency for non-U.S. citizens.

General Requirements

1Upon admission, final official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities, with certified English translations if original language is not English, must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

2Upon admission, an official course-by-course transcript/academic record evaluation must be submitted to the Graduate School within the first five weeks of the term of admission or a hold preventing registration for future terms will be placed on the student’s record. 

March 31: priority deadline for summer admission (normal program start). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis after the priority deadline. 

Due to the timing of the Easter holiday (March 31st) this year, the priority deadline for summer admission has been extended to Monday, April 8th. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis after this date.

July 15: application deadline for a fall term start.

January 15: application deadline for Trinity Fellows application

Merit-based aid (graduate assistantships/fellowships) is available. Private scholarships may also be available. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible to apply for need-based federal aid (loans) to help fund their educational expenses as well. 

Master's students who are primary and secondary school teachers in southeastern Wisconsin are eligible for two scholarship opportunities: the Milwaukee Area Teachers Scholarship, which provides scholarships for K–12 teachers from the greater Milwaukee area; and the Catholic Schools Personnel Scholarship, which covers part of the tuition for students employed by Archdiocese of Milwaukee schools. These scholarships are available only to students enrolled at Marquette.

Become a Trinity Fellow

Students interested in the Educational Policy and Leadership Master's programs may want to consider applying for the Trinity Fellows Program as well. Trinity Fellows is a graduate fellowship program dedicated to developing urban leaders with a commitment to social and economic justice.

Trinity Fellows participate in a 21-month study/ work program while earning a master's degree. Those who have completed a full-time service program (minimum 10 months), and/or have worked for 2+ years in the nonprofit sector are eligible to apply. Details and instructions to apply are found on the Trinity Fellows website