Educational Leadership, M.Ed.

This 30-hour program includes 9 hours of professional education core courses, 15 hours of coursework in educational leadership, and 6 hours of electives. You’ll work closely with your advisor(s) to select courses relevant to your professional interests.

You can also view the recommended semester-by-semester progressions for full-time and part-time students.

Core Professional Education Courses

• ADMN 6100 Fundamentals of Educational Leadership
• ADMN 6101 Perspectives on Adult Learning Theory
• RSCH 6101 Research Methods

15 hours from any of the following:

Higher Education

• ADMN 6000 Topics in Educational Administration
• ADMN 6170 Introduction to the Community College
• ADMN 6171 The American College Student
• ADMN 6172 Higher Education in the United States
• ADMN 6173 Legal Issues in Higher Education
• ADMN 6174 Higher Education Finance and Budgeting
• ADMN 6175 Non-traditional Approaches to Higher Education
• ADMN 6176 Women in Higher Education
• ADMN 6177 Student Affairs in Higher Education
• ADMN 6178 Higher Education Policy and Governance
• ADMN 6179 Contemporary Issues in Higher Education
• ADMN 6180 Teaching Strategies for Adults in a Diverse Society

P-12 Education

• ADMN 6105 Legal Aspects of Schooling
• ADMN 6120 Instructional Leadership
• ADMN 6130 Supervision of Instruction
• ADMN 6140 Curriculum Leadership

*Note: Courses in this area may be restricted to MSA candidates. Work with your advisor and both program directors if interested in making these part of your coursework.

Instructional Technology and Research

• EIST 5100 Instructional Technology
• RSCH 7196 Program Evaluation Methods

Electives at the 6000-level will be selected from among ADMN, EIST, and RSCH course offerings with input from the advisor. Courses from other departments may be selected with advisor and department approval. Students may take the higher education internship course (ADMN 6430) to satisfy three hours of elective credit.

Graduate School Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or its U.S. equivalent.
• GPA 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). If an applicant has earned or attempted a post-baccalaureate degree (i.e. a master’s, doctoral or other), grades in that program will also be taken into consideration.
• A statement of purpose (essay) – prompt below
• At least three recommendations; effective recommendations will come from professors who have taught you and supervisors from employment or extracurricular activities
• Unofficial transcripts of all academic work.
• TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English language holders.

M.Ed. Program Additional Requirements

• A description of previous relevant employment (i.e., a resume).

Statement of Purpose Prompt:

Share your goals for pursuing graduate education focusing on higher education administration. Specifically, describe your reasons for applying to this program, your preparation for this field of study (e.g. previous experience with higher education or college student affairs as a student and/or employee), as well as any research experience in the discipline, future career plans in higher education, and any other aspects of your background or interests which may aid the program director and admissions in evaluating your motivation for entering the program. You may also discuss how the higher education program at UNC Charlotte can help you achieve these goals.

• What do you look for in a successful applicant?
  • Successful applicants meet and often exceed our admission requirements, but most importantly demonstrate clear alignment between academic and career interests with those of the program.
• Do you offer application fee waivers?
  • A limited number of application fee waivers are available to qualified UNC Charlotte permanent employees, Ronald McNair Scholars, and United States military members.
• How long will it take me to complete the degree?
  • The M.Ed. program is 30-credit hours. Time to degree completion depends upon enrollment patterns, but most full-time students in the M.Ed. can anticipate graduating within two years. Full-time students take three courses each fall and spring semester, while part-timers take two courses per semester.
• When are classes offered?
  • Our classes are offered in the evening from 5:30 PM to 8:15 PM during the spring and fall semesters. Summer courses, when available, can also help students stay on track to graduate in a timely manner. Classes are delivered in varied formats, including in-person, online, and a hybrid of online and in-person. The program has a strong in-person component.
• Can I transfer course credits?
  • The program accepts up to two courses (6 credit hours) as transfer credit from a regionally accredited doctoral-granting institution. Transfer credit must be approved by the Graduate Program Director with approval from the Graduate School. All other Graduate School policies regarding transfer credit apply.
• What is the capstone?
  • The M.Ed. program requires students to complete a portfolio during their final semester, which includes papers and writings to critically reflect on the knowledge and skills acquired during their graduate education.
• Are there opportunities to work on research?
  • Our faculty have active research agendas and welcome students to engage in studies.

• Are graduate assistant positions available?
  • The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program offers a coordinated hiring timeline for graduate assistantships. This process allows admitted master’s students who apply by the priority deadline of January 15 to apply for and receive offer(s) for GA positions by April.
  • Students who admitted from applications at secondary deadline of March 1 can still apply for posted GA positions throughout the spring and into the summer via Hire-a-Niner. However, they may not be admitted in time to utilize the coordinated hiring timeline.
  • Master’s level GA positions at UNC Charlotte typically span 9 months of the academic year (August 15-May 15), include an hourly wage or stipend, and most do not include tuition remission. Most higher education administration-related assistantships at UNC Charlotte are classified by Human Resources as temporary student employment. Some offices provide additional benefits to GAs such as professional development funds, but details will vary position by position.
  • Not all offices at UNC Charlotte participate in the coordinated hiring process.
• What is the timeline for coordinated GA hiring?
  • January 15: Priority deadline to apply for the M.Ed. program and participate in the coordinated hiring process.
  • February: Admitted students will receive access to the Hire-a-Niner web portal upon admission and will be able to search for GA postings.
  • March: Offices review applications, contact top candidates for interviews, and extend offer(s) by April 1.
  • April 15: Deadline for candidates who received offers to submit their decisions.
• How can I get more detailed information or ask questions?
  • You can email program director Cathy Howell to discuss your individual situation.

• What kinds of careers can I pursue with this degree?
  • You’ll be well-prepared to pursue a career in higher education administration roles in colleges and universities, in areas such as student affairs, academic advising/support, residence life, admissions, and more.
  • Recent graduates have secured positions as enrollment specialists, academic advisors, directors, and assistant directors.
• How can I gain experience in higher education?
  • All students in the program should plan to gain relevant professional experience in higher education by working in the field either part-time (graduate assistantship) or full-time during their time in the degree program, as roles in higher education typically require both a relevant degree and relevant work experience.
  • UNC Charlotte and other institutions in the greater Charlotte area may all be suitable choices for pursuing part- or full-time employment, depending on your area of interest.