Overview of the Online District Level Leadership Program
The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is designed to propel you to a District Level Administrator License in the state of Indiana or Ohio. In this program, you’ll build critical skills for leadership by engaging in collaborative learning, dialogue, reflection, research and assessment. The major in district level leadership specifically focuses your studies on operational issues like building grounds, finance, budgets, curriculum and assessment.
- 100% online learning
- Aligns with new National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards
- Practice real school leadership projects with current school leaders
- 30 credit hours
Start Your Journey
You’ll Learn To…
- Create a shared district vision, mission, values, goals, and culture of continuous improvement
- Evaluate programs and develop strategies that involve the right people in the improvement process
- Develop better policy that benefits students, staff and communities
- Build relationships that engage parents and community members in the learning process
- Integrate your faith in your leadership career and coursework
TUITION
30 Total
Applicable fees for resources and services will be assessed throughout the program. Tuition and fees for prerequisites and required elective courses are in addition to the charges shown on the program cost sheet. Your tuition rate will remain the same as long as you remain continuously enrolled in the same program. Cost sheets may be requested from an enrollment counselor by calling 866.498.4968 or emailing iwuenroll@indwes.edu.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is available in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, veterans benefits, and employer reimbursement.
COURSES
Here is the list of courses required to complete the program. Full course descriptions may be viewed by clicking on the course titles. For further information, feel free to contact us.
10 Core Courses
These courses contain the program-specific knowledge. Upon completion, you should have the tools to conquer your new career with confidence.
EDL-702,EDL-703,EDL-704,EDL-706,EDL-708,EDL-710,EDL-712,EDL-714,EDL-716,EDL-718
REQUIREMENTS
Click on each section to expand the different requirements for this program. If you have any questions about the admissions process, feel free to contact one of our admissions representatives at 1-866-498-4968.
- Indiana Licensure Track:
- Completed a master's degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The degree must be verified on official transcripts and sent directly to Indiana Wesleyan University.
- Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in graduate-level courses from master’s degree-granting institution.
- Currently employed by or have access to a P-12 public or non-public school corporation in which a superintendent (or other central office administrator who holds a superintendent’s license) is willing to serve as a mentor for the internship phase of the program. -- Submission of a completed internship agreement form with an appropriate central office administrator signature will be required prior to the beginning of the program.
- Hold a current, proficient practitioner teaching or administrator license issued by any state in the United States.
- Submit experience verification letter(s) signed by an employer on letterhead stating position and at least three years of instructional experience.
- Submit a signed SILD FERPA Release Form.
- Present at least three letters of recommendation; one must be from the current superintendent in the district or corporation in which the candidate is employed.
- Ohio Licensure Track:
- Completed a master's degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by both the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The degree must be verified on official transcripts and sent directly to Indiana Wesleyan University.
- Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in graduate-level courses from master’s degree-granting institution.
- Currently employed by or have access to a P-12 public or non-public school corporation in which a superintendent (or other central office administrator who holds a superintendent’s license) is willing to serve as a mentor for the internship phase of the program. -- Submission of a completed internship agreement form with an appropriate central office administrator signature will be required prior to the beginning of the program.
- Hold a current administrator license (principal or administrative specialist) obtained through a traditional university licensure program and issued by any state in the United States.
- Submit experience verification letter(s) signed by an employer on letterhead stating position and at least three years of successful experience as a principal or administrative specialist while holding the respective license.
- Submit a signed SILD FERPA Release Form.
- Present at least three letters of recommendation; one must be from the current superintendent in the district or corporation in which the candidate is employed or where they will be completing their program requirements.
- Successfully complete all courses and a six month internship.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above in all graduate work and a minimum grade of "B-" in each course.
- Candidates must pay all tuition and fees to receive a diploma and be recommended for licensure.
Clinical Requirements
All Ed.S. candidates must complete a three-credit-hour Internship spanning six months in accordance with NELP Standard requirements. Candidates should anticipate paying an additional clinical experience fee during EDL 718 to remunerate the services of a mentor.
All candidates must secure an Internship Mentor at the school district in which they are currently leading or teaching.
The mentor administrator must have a superintendent's license and be able to attend scheduled video conferences with the university professor. The Internship Mentor will work with the candidate throughout the course of the Internship to provide real-world district-level leadership opportunities.
START DATES
The Education Specialist - District Level Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University has many convenient starts throughout the year. Listed below are the next available starts. If you don’t see a start that fits your schedule, connect with our enrollment team to see more future starts.
Accreditation
Indiana Wesleyan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org, 312-263-0456. Other accreditations and associations of Indiana Wesleyan University are available at www.indwes.edu/about/iwu-profile/accreditation.
Education programs at Indiana Wesleyan University are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th Street, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-223-0077.
*Effective 07-01-2023 through 06-30-2024