Prior to formal coursework, students participate in an orientation program where they are introduced to the nature and requirements of the program, some of the major issues involved in being a graduate student, the facilities offered in the program such as the library, online databases and other resources, the Curriculum Resource Center, the Graduate Writing Center, academic reading and writing preparation, and ways of communicating with faculty. During this orientation students form small, informal working teams to provide support for each other during the entire program.

The Master of Education (Specialization in School Administration) curriculum consists of 12 courses delivered over a 24-month time frame. Courses are organized within four areas based on international standards for school leadership development and culminate with an internship. Students begin their final project in their first research course and develop a school improvement study in their school. Courses within each domain are the following:

Strategic Leadership

• EDC 651 Leading Effective Schools
• EDC 601 Introduction to Educational Research
• EDC 603 Using Data for School Improvement
• EDC 635 Assessment and Evaluation
• EDC 695 Research Seminar

Managerial Leadership

• EDC 652 Leadership for School Problem Solving
• EDC 637 Human Performance and Resource Management 

Instructional Leadership

• EDC 633 Applied Learning for Educational Leaders
• EDC 638 Guiding and Analyzing Effective Teaching
• EDC 634 Curriculum Leadership

Family and Community Collaboration

• EDC 639 Student, School, and Community Collaboration
• EDC 699 Internship for School Administrators