Teacher Leadership (MEd)

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (LEADMED)
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Program Webpage 
Academic Plan Code(s): See Degree Requirements tab.

Program Information

This program can be completed in a traditional classroom format or entirely online.

The Master of Education in Teacher Leadership at the University of Louisville was created in collaboration with P-12 classroom teachers, school district specialists, university faculty and school administrators to enhance the skills, knowledge and expertise of the Rank III certified Kentucky teacher, who has earned a bachelor’s degree and wants to build his or her capacity to be a leader in the classroom, school and district.

This program may be taken online, face-to-face, or as a hybrid.

Concentration Areas

The curriculum provides opportunities for customization including endorsements, concentrations, or certificates within the program. Concentration options include:

1. Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education
2. Elementary Education
3. Middle Grades Education
4. Secondary Education
5. Content Area or Teaching Specialty
6. Special Education Core
7. Autism
8. Learning and Behavior Disorders (for teachers already certified in Special Education)
9. Moderate and Severe Disabilities (for teachers already certified in Special Education)
10. Assistive Technology

Concentration coursework is selected by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor.

Program Highlights

• Individualized to meet professional goals
• Based on three levels of leadership development
• Specialized courses specific to content areas and grade levels
• Preparation pathway to National Board Application
• Courses taught by nationally recognized faculty
• Focused on meeting needs of diverse learners
• Emphasizes coaching and mentoring
• Places your classroom and school as the focus of course discussions and assessments

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Education in Teacher Leadership online program must first submit the Online Graduate Application for Admission through the Graduate School.

Applicants must also submit the following:

• Online Graduate Application for Admission
• Application fee (non-refundable)
• Valid Kentucky Teaching Certificate or Statement of Eligibility for candidates outside Kentucky.
  • If you are certified in Kentucky, please indicate that on your application. You are not required to submit this documentation as we have access through the Education Professional Standards Board.
  • If you are certified in another state, please read the Out of State disclaimer below.
• Two letters of recommendation – please list the email addresses for two recommenders in the online application. Recommenders will receive instructions and forms that they will complete online.
• Signed code of ethics/technology statement – use Professional Code of Ethics and CEHD Technology Agreement form [PDF]. Please upload this document to your online application.
• Current Resume
• Professional Writing Requirements - please complete the following and upload with your application. Each essay should be double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font) and no more than three pages

Essay #1

In what ways has your cultural heritage and background influenced the way you teach, and impacted your interactions with others who come from a different cultural background? Describe an example of an injustice or inequity that you witnessed, experienced, or became aware of during teaching - and your response at that time. Then, explain how you would respond if it occurred again. Finally, explain how you support respect for diversity in your classroom, and how you demonstrate a commitment to social justice and equity when teaching.

Essay #2

Please review the Professional Dispositions Rubric [PDF] and consider how you would evaluate your areas of strength as well as those for potential growth in each of the categories. In your essay, please identify three categories that you would rate yourself as "target" or "exemplary" and explain why. Then, identify one area for professional growth, and explain how you envision this program supporting your growth in this area.

• GRE scores – not required for those with a 2.75 minimum undergraduate GPA
  • If your cumulative GPA is below 2.75, please email gedadm@louisville.edu regarding GRE minimum scores requirements.
• Official transcripts for any undergraduate work (minimum GPA of 2.75 preferred) and any graduate work (minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred) 
   

  Please have transcripts sent to:
  Graduate School 
  University of Louisville 
  Louisville, KY 40292 

  For electronic transcripts, please have them sent to: gradadm@louisville.edu

Note: Meeting GRE score and/or GPA minimums does not guarantee admission to the program.

Out-of-State Students

Out-of-state prospects who have teacher certification should be advised that we cannot guarantee the program will meet licensure, salary, advancement or other requirements in their state. As part of the admission process, we will require a written statement confirming their interest in the program for personal development and they understand the program is designed to meet Kentucky certification requirements only. For more information, please contact our academic advisor at betty.hampton@louisville.edu.

International Students 

Applicants who have attended a college or university outside of the United States are also required to submit an evaluation of their transcript through either WES (World Education Services) or ECE (Educational Credential Evaluators). Please note that transcript evaluations can sometimes take several weeks.

• TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo – required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language.
  • Students who hold a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. are exempt from this requirement.

Enrollment Requirements

Upon admission to the program, students will be assigned a faculty advisor and will work collaboratively with that advisor to complete any additional requirements needed before enrolling.

Program Requirements 

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership

Academic Program Code(s): LEADMEDCON, LEDMEDCOO, LEADMEDELE, LEADMEDIEC, LEADMEDMID, LEADMEDSEC

Minimum of 18 credit hours in 600-level courses is required.

Transfer credit must be officially accepted by the advisor (maximum of six (6) credit hours); final acceptance is dependent upon receipt of official transcripts.

A maximum of nine (9) credit hours taken in non-degree status can be applied toward a master's degree (upon approval of advisor).

All courses must be completed within six years of admission to the program.

Exit Assessment
Successful completion of all required coursework; scored Exemplary or Target on Rubrics for Advanced Candidates including dispositions assessment; minimum 3.0 GPA with no grade lower than C.

Degree Candidacy
Students not enrolled during the semester in which they intend to graduate must register for degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership—Special Education

Academic Program Code(s): LEADMEDAST, LEADMEDASO, LEADMEDAUT, LEADMEDAUO, LEADMEDSPE, LEADMEDSPO

No applications are being accepted for the Assistive Technology concentration for the 2019-2020 academic year. Please check the program website for updates.

Minimum of 18 credit hours in 600-level courses is required.

Transfer credit must be officially accepted by the advisor (maximum of six (6) credit hours); final acceptance is dependent upon receipt of official transcripts.

A maximum of nine (9) credit hours taken in non-degree status can be applied toward a master's degree (upon approval of advisor).

All courses must be completed within six years of admission to the program.

Exit Assessment
Successful completion of all required coursework; scored Exemplary or Target on Rubrics for Advanced Candidates including dispositions assessment; minimum 3.0 GPA with no grade lower than C.

Degree Candidacy
Students not enrolled during the semester in which they intend to graduate must register for degree candidacy as outlined in the Graduate Catalog.

Concentration Requirements

Concentrations or the MEd in Teacher Leadership consist of 12-15 credit hours of coursework selected in consultation with the student's faculty advisor.

The Master of Education in Teacher Leadership program and all related concentrations prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: http://louisville.edu/online/About-Us (please scroll down near the bottom of the page and click on the licensing disclosures tab).