Teacher Leadership (MEd)

Master of Education in Teacher Leadership (LEADMED)
Unit: College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Program Webpage

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. Assistive Technology
9. Learning and Behavior Disorders (for teachers already certified in Special Education)
10. Moderate and Severe Disabilities (for teachers already certified in Special Education)

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 School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies.

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:
  School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies 
  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 – 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

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

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

A maximum of 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 6 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

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

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

A maximum of 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 6 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.