Program Description
The Master of Education in Educational Leadership program is intended for those who wish to work in leadership positions and administrative careers in education. The MEd program provides a theoretical and conceptual knowledge base and practical application required for principalship and for Florida Level I Educational Leadership certification.
Courses required in the program address the Florida Educational Leadership Standards and the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) competencies and indicators.
This Educational Leadership MEd program has potential ties to professional licensure or certification in the field. For more information on how this program may prepare you in that regard, please visit https://apq.ucf.edu/files/Licensure-Disclosure-CCIE-Educational-Leadership-MEd-June2020.pdf.
Curriculum
The Educational Leadership MEd program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree, including 30 credit hours of core courses and 6 credit hours of required administrative internship. Courses may be taken in any sequence with the exception of EDA 6946, which must be taken during the last two semesters.
Total Credit Hours Required: 36 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor’s Degree
The MEd program provides the theoretical and conceptual knowledge base with practical application required for the principalship and for Florida Level I Educational Leadership certification. Courses required in the program address the Florida Educational Leadership Standards and Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE) competencies and indicators required by the Florida Department of Education. Students are required to pass the FELE for graduation. An MEd in Educational Leadership or its equivalent, and successful completion of the FELE are required by the state of Florida for Level 1 Educational Leadership certification (Certification is subject to Florida Department of Education approval).
The MEd program requires an administrative internship. The internship is an independent learning activity that takes place in a regular K-12 public school setting in which students must apply, reflect on, and refine knowledge and skills acquired in the program. For more information concerning the Educational Leadership internship, please refer to the Educational Leadership website at:education.ucf.edu/edleadership (click on Guide to the Administrative Internship).
MEd students in Educational Leadership will document the experience with each of the Florida Principal Leadership Standards (FPLS) and Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE) competencies during the EDA 6946 Administrative Internship. This documentation and successful completion of the administrative internship (grade of A or B) will serve as the culminating experience required for graduation.
Modified Leadership Core Program for Those with Graduate Degrees in Other Disciplines
If an individual holds a graduate degree with a major other than Educational Administration, Administration, Supervision or Educational Leadership, certification may be obtained through completion of an approved modified program in Educational Leadership. The UCF modified program consists of the seven core courses and Administrative Internship course of the Educational Leadership MEd degree. Request an evaluation of prior graduate course work (required for admission into the program) on the following website: education.ucf.edu/edleadership/.
Required Courses: 36 Credit Hours
Core: 30 Credit Hours
The program recommends that students take these courses in the following sequence:
- EDA 6061 - Organization and Administration of Schools 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6232 - Legal Aspects of School Operation 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6240 - Educational Financial Affairs 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6260 - Educational Systems Planning and Management 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6931 - Contemporary Issues in Educational Leadership 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6423 - Data-Based Decision Making for School Educational Leaders 3 Credit Hours
- EDS 6123 - Educational Supervisory Practices I 3 Credit Hours
- EDS 6130 - Educational Supervisory Practices II 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6300 - Community School Administration 3 Credit Hours
- EDA 6502 - Organization and Administration of Instructional Programs 3 Credit Hours
Internship: 6 Credit Hours
The internship should be completed during or after the last two semesters of coursework listed above.
- EDA 6946 - Internship VAR Credit Hours
Additional Program Requirements
- Complete the Administrative Graduate Internship with a minimum grade of B.
- Pass all applicable sections of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination.
Equipment Fee
Students in the Educational Leadership MEd program pay a $32 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled. Part-time students pay $16 per semester.
Independent Learning
The MEd program requires an administrative internship. The administrative internship is an independent learning activity that takes place in a regular K-12 public school setting in which students must apply, reflect on, and refine knowledge and skills acquired in the program. For more information concerning the Educational Leadership internship, please refer to the Educational Leadership website at: http://education.ucf.edu/edleadership (click on Internship Guide).
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements, applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- A letter of recommendation from a principal or other administrator addressing your potential lead and instructional expertise.
- Last 3 years of effective or highly effective teaching evaluations.
- Applicants applying to this program who have attended a college/university outside the United States must provide a course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA calculation. Credential evaluations are accepted from World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. only.
Application Deadlines
| Education Leadership MEd | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Dec 1 | Apr 1 |
| International Applicants | Jan 15 | Jan 15 | Jul 1 | Nov 1 |
| *Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date. |
Financials
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowships
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student’s graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
