Education Specialist (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation)*
Walden University’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program is designed to help you develop the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and experiences to become a licensed principal. Our curriculum is focused on preparing you to
- Understand and manage complex educational issues.
- Assess, improve, and provide quality instructional programs.
- Recruit, hire, and retain school personnel committed to improving student learning.
- Create a shared strategic vision.
- Encourage and inspire students, teachers, staff members, families, and the community to work together to provide a safe and secure learning environment.
This unique scholar-practitioner program, grounded in current research, provides students with opportunities to respond to authentic case studies, participate in school leadership experiences, work side-by-side with principal mentors, and develop the ability to impact social change.
The Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program and its curriculum is approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators as a principal preparation program that can lead to P–12 principal licensure in Minnesota. Its curriculum is also aligned with the standards of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), the Educational Leadership Constituents Council (ELCC), and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).
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- Program Courses
- Pre-Assessment and Individual Learning Plan
- Field Experience
- Face-to-Face Residencies
- Situational Observations
- Professional ePortfolio
- Exit Evaluation
Completion Requirements
- 36 total semester credit hours
- Field Experience courses (6 sem. credits)
- Two 3-day residencies
Estimated time to completion: 20 months, depending on individual progress. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
Gain a general understanding of the guidelines and requirements of the principal preparation program with the Principal Candidate Guidebook (abridged version). After you download the guidebook, please call 1-866-492-5336 to speak with your enrollment advisor for assistance in reviewing the information.
- Principal Candidate Handbook (abridged version)
- Information for prospective Alabama and Washington state students
Core Courses
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 7002 | Foundations: Educational Leadership and Administration | 3 |
| EDUC 7200 | Teaching and Learning for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDUC 7201 | Communication and Collaboration for Leaders | 3 |
| EDUC 7202 | Ensuring Quality Education for Students with Diverse Needs | 3 |
| EDUC 7203 | Policy and Law in School Organizations | 3 |
| EDUC 7204 | Using Data to Strengthen Schools | 3 |
| EDUC 7205 | Budgeting and Allocating Resources | 3 |
| EDUC 7206 | Creating Positive, Safe, and Effective Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 7207 | Leading Curriculum Initiatives: Literacy and Math | 3 |
| EDUC 7208 | Recruiting, Evaluating, and Retaining School Personnel | 3 |
| EDUC 7801 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7802 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7803 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7804 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7805 | Field Experience | 1 |
| EDUC 7806 | Field Experience | 1 |
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Other Recommended Programs
* Walden University is approved by Minnesota to offer the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration program that leads to licensure as a P–12 principal in Minnesota. This is the only program offered by Walden that is state approved as leading to any P–12 administrative/leadership license (e.g., assistant principal, principal, teacher leader, superintendent). Prospective students should review their state’s licensure requirements and clearly discuss any licensure goals with their enrollment advisor.
