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Master of Science in School Leadership/Principal (MS)
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000
Marywood University’s education unit is proud to be recognized and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The approval process establishes rigorous standards for program quality and professional educator competency and holds licensed institutions accountable for meeting these standards.
Advance Your Education Career with an MS in School Leadership
The School Leadership Academy provides current and aspiring school leaders with a distinctive approach to ensuring school success. An MS in School Leadership, sometimes referred to as the "school principal and superintendent degree", has a set goal to develop building level and district level administrators (District Superintendent, Principal, Special Education Supervisor, Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor) who are motivated to serve children, families, teachers, and communities by applying solid research and best practices of the discipline to their role.
A dynamic part of the Marywood program is that each semester we offer a careful hybrid program that incorporates Powerful Learning Experiences (PLE), which brings together all School Leadership Academy once per term for a timely topical discussion that addresses the standards and which is led by a prominent scholar or practitioners in the field with a panel of local principals and program alumni.
A Master of Science in School Leadership provides opportunities for the development of the administrative and interpersonal skills needed by practicing and future leaders in education. It is built on the assumption that the public and non-public school environments are unique. For this reason, courses and other learning experiences are deeply grounded in those principles of public and non-public thought and practice. Internships are individualized, based on needs and interests of school districts and student participants. The Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards support the courses and internship.
- Develop administrative and interpersonal skills
- Become a principal, vice principal, superintendent, program director, school district administrator
- Individualized internships
My time at Marywood has been an experience that I will never forget! From the friends I have made in and out of the classroom, the professors who have given me guidance and insight to the career I desire ahead, as well as the support and network the Marywood community has to offer, my Marywood experience has prepared me for the next phase of my life.
Jack DeGroot '21 Read All Testimonials
Outcomes & Opportunities
Top Employers
- School Districts
- Universities
- Education App/ Tutoring Companies
- Public Libraries
Top Career Paths
- Superintendent
- School Principal
- Student Services Director
- Guidance Counselor
Dig Deeper Into the Program Details
If you have any questions about this program, we're here to help.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- “B” average during undergraduate study or demonstrated potential for graduate work
- Completed application
- Essay
- Official, sealed transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
The School of Education is located in the The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues. This facility contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space.
McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies
1201 University AvenueMap & Directions
The McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, located on the corner of University and North Washington Avenues, contains classrooms and related clinical/professional space for Communication Sciences and Disorders, Psychology and Counseling, Education, and Business students. Market Marywood is also located here.
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Curriculum Lab Library
Map & Directions
The Curriculum Lab and Library, located in the McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, is a curriculum materials resource area, designed to support the specialized needs of teacher education students.
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Scholarships
Morris K. Udall Scholarship
The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.
Tuition
View Tuition RatesMarywood University faculty are prepared to provide students with the best learning experience possible.
- PDE Reporting
- Assistant Professor of Practice
- rstevens2@marywood.edu
- 570-348-6211 x2511
- Coordinator of Assessment & Certification
- acbabcanec@marywood.edu
- 570-961-4731
80+ opportunities for you to find the right fit with 50+ undergraduate degrees and 30+ graduate and certificate courses.
School Leadership, Master of Science, with Principal Certification
(30 semester hours)
The program in School Leadership consists of 30 semester hours of low-residency graduate work and 24 clock hours of participation in the Principal Leadership Academy. The Academy provides an orientation to the Marywood campus, four on-campus Powerful Learning Experiences (PLEs) and a concluding networking experience. The courses are divided into three categories: nine semester hours in core courses, which are intended to give the student an understanding of research, organizational dynamics, and multicultural issues in schools; 18 semester hours in concentration courses, which provide an understanding of administration, current issues in education, curriculum planning, supervision and evaluation of instruction, law, finances, and an internship in a school setting, and three semester hours in elective courses.
The overall goal of the program is to develop school principals who are motivated to serve children, families, teachers, and communities by applying solid research and best practices of the discipline to their role as principal. Vital program components are the establishment and maintenance of long-term relationships among school districts, school leaders, and mentors, as well as a focus on the candidate’s personal growth using an ethical, authentic, and standards-based approach. Internships are individualized, based on needs and interests of school districts and candidates. The Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) building level standards support the courses and internship.
In addition to an initial interview with the chair of the School of Education or a designated faculty member and the successful completion of coursework, the degree candidate is required to complete a Professional Contribution under the guidance of a faculty mentor and give a public presentation of the Professional Contribution. To be eligible for Pennsylvania certification, the candidate must complete state testing requirements and provide a chief school administrator’s verification of the completion of three (3) years of relevant professional experience defined as “professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process.”
Professional Education and Core Courses (9 semester hours)
| EDUC 501 | Research Theory | 3 |
| COUN 532 | Multicultural Issues-Prof Counseling PrýProfessionals | 3 |
| EDUC 605 | Communication Theory and Organizational Dynamics | 3 |
| EDUC 555 | Professional Contribution | 0 |
Concentration (18 semester hours)
| EDUC 545 | Administrative Theory for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDUC 547 | Curriculum Planning for Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 548 | Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction | 3 |
| EDUC 549 | Law and the School | 3 |
| EDUC 551 | School Finances | 3 |
| EDUC 593 | Administrative Internship | 3 |
Electives (3 semester hours)
This program has been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for awarding certification as a PK-12 principal.
EDUC 545, EDUC 547, EDUC 548, EDUC 549, EDUC 551 and EDUC 593: Certification Program in School Leadership — Persons seeking a PK-12 principal certificate in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, who do not wish to receive the Master of Science degree, may do so by successfully completing classes listed under concentration. An initial interview is also required.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that certain criteria be met prior to acceptance into certification or degree programs. Upon completion of the program, to be eligible to apply for certification, candidates must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment test (use Praxis SLS Bulletin to register) and have three years of certificated experience in a school setting. Upon successful completion of the PK-12 principal certificate program, Marywood University will administer a certificate of completion.
NOTE: The Program requirements discussed in this section are subject to change based on guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
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From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way. For currently enrolled students visit the School of Education Student Resources Website for academic tips, forms, and more to guide you on your academic journey
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Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000
Marywood University’s education unit is proud to be recognized and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The approval process establishes rigorous standards for program quality and professional educator competency and holds licensed institutions accountable for meeting these standards.