Graduate Program Leadership (MEd)

Breathe New Life into Schools with an MEd in Leadership

Be the person who initiates and implements positive change for students, staff and schools when you earn your Master of Education in Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University.

This unique cohort program is designed specifically for educators within a school district, with coursework tailored to the group's needs and classes taught at a location convenient to the students. With a competency-based approach supplemented with online resources, you'll be prepared to carry out your learnings immediately - in the classroom and beyond.

You may choose to focus on the main track, or you can opt to personalize your pathway to better meet your goals:

  • Curriculum Administration: Built for educators who want to advance as a leader in their district, this pathway helps those who want to mold the programs that best address the needs of students.
  • Curriculum Administrators and Principals: Created for individuals who wish to become certified as both a school principal and a curriculum administrator to foster growth and change within a school and a community.
  • School Administration: Designed for teachers who wish to pursue school leadership, the program focuses on culture, ethics and the management of the organization and operation of a school.

Graduates of the master's program may also consider adding a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) in Curriculum and Instruction or Educational Leadership.

Candidates for concentrations and CAGS must have 5 years of teaching experience as a certified educator by completion of program to be considered.

Not available for international students.

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See Yourself Succeed in Educational Leadership

If you're ready to take on more responsibility in your educational role, SNHU's MEd in Leadership can set you up with the skills, competencies and knowledge to help make it happen. Become both a thinker and a doer as you envelop yourself in the philosophy, ethics, management and culture of learning that can help you set and reach goals in advanced positions.

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your MEd in Leadership include:

  • Supportive community. Surround yourself with SNHU students who are closely connected with faculty and staff dedicated to your success.
  • Affordability. SNHU is one of the most affordable private, nonprofit universities in New Hampshire.
  • Accessible faculty. Learn from highly credentialed instructors who are experts in their fields.
  • Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your graduate degree on site conveniently located within your school district. You'll finish in about 2.5 years, taking 1 course per 10-week term.
  • Minimal requirements. No GRE or GMAT required for admission. Plus, the PRAXIS I and II are not required for completion of the program.
  • Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for tips and career opportunities.

Admission Requirements 

To be considered for the MEd in Leadership program, a cohort must be initiated between your school district's superintendent's office and our director of campus graduate programs in the School of Education. The cohort program requires a minimum of 15 committed teachers from the district. This program is not currently offered to anyone outside of an established school district cohort.

Applicants will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • Official undergraduate transcripts
  • Signed state standards acknowledgement form
  • Resume, with 2 professional references on your resume
  • Copy of your current New Hampshire teacher certification
  • $40 application fee

Careers & Outcomes

With an MEd in Leadership, you open your teaching career track up to more possibilities. You position yourself for roles like a committee chair, department head, administrator or principal.

The collaborative setting for SNHU's cohort program perfectly complements your workplace environment, providing you with real-world situations that mirror your everyday responsibilities and interactions.

Curriculum

Southern New Hampshire University's graduate education program includes 36 credit hours of courses revolving around leadership, collaboration and process.

Through the coursework and hands-on practicum, you'll learn how to apply theory and best practices to positively influence the learning environment and promote student inquiry. Topics covered in the MEd in Leadership program include leadership for learning, effective management of schools, educational assessment, communications skills, reflective leadership skills, creative leadership, and more.

View Full Curriculum in the Catalog
MEd in Leadership

Courses May Include
EDU 507 Leadership for Learning

This course will focus on the knowledge, skills and abilities of a principal to be an instructional leader in his or her building. Learners will study effective instructional practices, levels of rigor and student engagement practices in schools. We will explore aligning those practices to the expectations of state standards at various grade levels. The focus of the course will be to apply knowledge, skills and abilities of an instructional leader so that the outcome of their leadership work is about academic success for all students.
EDU 554 The Development of a Mission, Vision and Goals

This course offers a study of the leadership, management, and safe operations of school facilities and an understanding of school finances as it relates to the teaching and learning process. Leaders will learn how to facilitate and engage school board members in a discussion about how school finance and facilities relate to student achievement. Learners will examine various tools and methodologies that support the school process and how to engage and connect the community members in the budget building process. This course aims to make leaders better managers and consumers of financial information rather than budget officers; learners will better understand the real world implications and consequences of how they allocate funds based on the process and decisions they make.
EDU 590 Process and Communication Skills

This course will present aspiring principals with concepts, skills, and abilities that foster effective decisions and communication protocols. Students will discover how principals decide which processes to use and when. It will also provide insight and opportunities for students to learn how principals select the best communication devices that are most effective for specific situations.
EDU 604 Leading a Collaborative School

This course requires students to gain principals' knowledge, skills, and abilities to facilitate a process in the building that is highly collaborative and inclusive of all staff members. Building leadership capacity in teachers and staff is an imperative in a collaborative environment. Having everybody understand why we are doing things, what we will do, and how we will accomplish these goals through this process is important to the success of each initiative in a collaborative environment and positive culture. Learners will engage in deep conversation about the collaborative process and create opportunities to work collaboratively in real time situations.

Total Credits: 36

Program Outcomes

Graduate Tuition

Earning your master’s is a smart choice to advance your career, and investing in an affordable program increases your ROI. We keep our costs low to remove barriers between you and your goals.

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University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education as well as several other accrediting bodies. More...

Licensure Information

This program does not lead to initial licensure. This program is only available to licensed teachers in New Hampshire.