Educational Leadership Program, M.S.

Program Director: Daniel Shea, shea@hood.edu; 301-696-3766

The Educational Leadership program provides students with a comprehensive foundation in the principles and practices of school administration and supervision. The program offers two options: A Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership and an 18-credit Educational Leadership Certificate for those who hold a master’s degree in a related field. This program is approved by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) for students to earn the Administrator I license. Students may also take the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) exam to earn the Administrator II license. The program is designed for:

• Certified teachers and school system central office staff who wish to have a master’s degree and be certified in administration and supervision.
• Persons holding a bachelor’s degree in education who seek a graduate degree to enhance their opportunity to work in the fields of administration and supervision.
• Teachers and school system central office staff who want a graduate degree with a broad background in the fields of administration and supervision
• Teachers and school system central office staff who have a master’s degree and who seek certification in administration and supervision

Program Requirements:

The Educational Leadership Program allows graduate students to complete their Administrator I and II certifications by selecting one of the following two options: 

1. M.S. in Educational Leadership Degree Program

   Students enrolled in this track must complete 36 credit hours of required courses to earn the MSDE Administrator I license. Students may request that six credits from another institution be accepted after a review of the prior courses to determine if they match courses in the Hood College program.

2. Educational Leadership Certificate Program 

   Students enrolled in this track must have a master’s degree in a related education field and must complete 18 credit hours in six required courses to earn the MSDE Administrator I license. Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to transfer in any credits. 

As a prerequisite requirement to Administrator I certification in Maryland, the student must qualify for a Maryland State Advanced Professional Certificate in addition to the Educational Leadership program. Candidates for the Administrator I license must also have the required three credits of special education. Both the M.S. in Educational Leadership and the Educational Leadership Certificate program lead to the Administrator I license.

Application Requirements

As part of completing the online application, applicants must submit an official transcript reflecting the highest degree conferred, a copy of their State of Maryland Educator Certificate, a letter of recommendation from their principal/supervisor, and complete a 400 word essay explaining the interest in educational leadership. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview during which time program expectations and requirements are explained. An applicant for the Master's program may request that up to six credits from another program be transferred into the Hood program in accordance with graduate transfer course policy.

All Educational Leadership graduate students are required to have regular access to a U.S. P-12 classroom throughout the program in order to successfully complete assignments, including various course assessments and the capstone action research project.  Applicants to the program who are not current classroom teachers must submit evidence that they will have regular access to a school setting with the approval of the school principal. Applicants also are responsible for meeting any school and/or district requirements for conducting research in the school setting.

For additional admission information, see Graduate Admission.