Educational Leadership | Blended

Educational Leadership | Blended

  • Master of Science in Education (MSEd)
  • Master’s Program

Mode of study:

  • Blended
How do I apply? Request information

Take your education career to the next level and develop the skills to lead thriving, equitable educational environments. Designed for experienced educators, our program leads to certification as a principal, special education director, or curriculum coordinator, and also prepares for the roles of teacher leader or superintendent.

Flexible scheduling

Continue working and study part-time or full-time, with a mix of online and in-person courses

Award-winning alumni

Our graduates have been named Assistant Principal of the Year, Principal of the Year, and Superintendent of the Year

Focused internship

Your internship placement is tailored to the future career path you intend to pursue

Credit hours

36 required credit hours. Most courses are equal to 3 credit hours.

Visit Academic Catalog

Program duration

Study full-time and finish in as few as 2 years or study part-time and finish in 4 years.

Department & School

Admissions

Apply for fall, spring, or summer term. No GRE required.

View application process & deadlines

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Current K-12 concerns & solutions

Your courses reflect real-world scenarios inspired by your professional experiences. Together, we tackle the challenges teachers and administrators are facing through leadership perspectives and technical skills. You craft innovative solutions while gaining the expertise to create and champion equitable learning opportunities for all students.

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Extensive field experience

During your year-long internship, you put your new skillset to practice in a school setting that aligns with your intended career path. With support from the internship faculty member and your on-site mentor, you observe and practice the daily routines in the school. You develop a portfolio and complete a leadership project on an issue of importance at the school or district level.

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Longstanding school partnerships

As a program within the School of Education and Human Development, we are proud of our partnerships with regional school districts. These collaborations are reflected in our curriculum and provide unparalleled internship opportunities, ensuring you gain hands-on experience and insights that make an immediate impact in the field of education.

Where can you go with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership?

Certification

Our program is Maine-state-approved for credentialing as a building administrator, special education director, or curriculum coordinator. You can also advance your career to serve as a teacher leader or superintendent. If you are not based in Maine, we work with you to help meet licensing requirements in your state.

View certification details

We’re here to help answer questions about costs

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What to expect when you join the USM Educational Leadership graduate program

  • Take advantage of a flexible schedule: You have a mix of in-person and online courses in this blended program.
  • Continue working while earning your master’s degree: The majority our students continue their full-time careers while completing the program.
  • Gain hands-on experience: You’re immersed in your future career role through a three-semester internship in the field.
  • Learn from EdD and PhD faculty: Your professors also have experience as practicing K-12 teachers and administrators.
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Faculty expertise

Our faculty have extensive leadership experience in the field. They also regularly present at regional and national conferences, and publish their research findings in books and journal articles.

Meet our faculty

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Graduate student support

Connect with the Office of Graduate Studies for professional development, scholarship, and graduate assistantship opportunities. Join fellow grad students through Peer Mentorship and the Graduate Student Board.

Browse resources

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Frequently asked questions

Are you looking for more information about the courses and internship? We’ve compiled the top-level details about our MSEd in Educational Leadership.

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Admission information: MSED in Educational Leadership | Blended

Application deadlines

The information below is for our MSEd in Educational Leadership with a Blended mode of study, which includes a mix of in-person and online classes. If you are interested in the fully online program please review the Online MSEd in Educational Leadership.

Final deadline: August 1

International applicant deadline: June 1

Final deadline: December 15

International applicant deadline: October 15

Final deadline: April 15

International applicant: Summer term start not available

Applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in a baccalaureate degree program; Applicants who do not have a 2.5 overall GPA must enclose a letter asking for special consideration, in which they provide evidence of an ability to complete graduate studies successfully. Without such a letter, applicants who fail to meet eligibility requirements may be automatically denied.

In addition to the general requirements of the program, applicants to the educational leadership program should provide evidence of strong overall undergraduate performance and, in the administrative strand, are expected to have two years of teaching experience with the expectation of completing the third year of teaching during USM graduate study. The Maine Department of Education requires three years of teaching experience for administrator certification.

Applicants are required to provide the following materials:

General requirements

  • Application: Online application
  • Application fee:
    • In-state, out-of-state, and Canadian applicants: Free to apply
    • International applicants: Submit US $50 fee to apply
  • Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System (UMS transcripts are accessible to USM). A transcript is official when sent directly from the institution.
  • Resume: Submit a resume or CV that outlines professional, volunteer, and community experience.
  • Students whose first language is not English may be required to take one of the following: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit official scores as part of the application process. See additional information regarding test scores and requirements.

Additional requirements

  • Essay: Type a brief essay (300-500 words) stating your reasons for pursuing graduate study, your professional goals, and how you think this program of study will contribute to these goals. You may include a statement of any special interest you would like to pursue in your study. This should be a well-written, thoughtful personal statement.
  • References: Names and contact information of three references who can speak to the applicant’s interest in pursuing graduate study.
  • Recommendation: One letter of recommendation attesting to the applicant’s knowledge of current scholarship, capacity to connect theory and practice in posing and solving educational problems, achievement of excellence in educational practice, and demonstrated capability and motivation to engage in advanced graduate study.
  • Proof of teacher certification: See details below.

About proof of teacher certification

  • The evidence should be a copy of your teacher certification from the state in which you are certified. Teacher certification must be at the level of provisional or professional, and not at the level of conditional certification.
  • This program requires that students are certified teachers at the time of admission and for the duration of the program.
  • Students seeking an exemption to this requirement must write a request for a waiver that includes both an explanation and justification for the request.
  • Submit your proof of teacher certification or request for a waiver along with your application materials to edocs@maine.edu.

Transfer credit

Previously completed graduate courses may be approved for transfer into a graduate program within the educational leadership program if credits for the courses were earned no more than five years prior to matriculation, with grades of B or better. A syllabus for each course submitted for transfer credit must be provided upon application. Credits proposed for transfer may not have been used to qualify for a previously earned degree.

For previous work completed through the University of Maine System (UMS), up to twelve credits may be accepted if the courses meet the requirements above and they are equivalent to core courses or elective courses in the relevant USM program of study. Up to six graduate credits completed at institutions outside of the University of Maine System may be accepted if the courses meet the requirements above and are equivalent to core courses or elective courses in the relevant USM program of study.

Transfer of more than twelve University of Maine System credits or six non-University of Maine System credits may be approved by the program coordinator and faculty. These credits may include a certificate of graduate study program courses and professional development in-service graduate courses. Requests for the transfer of credits taken more than five years prior to matriculation may also be evaluated and approved by the program coordinator and faculty.

What are the international student application instructions?

What are the English proficiency test score requirements?

Where do I send my application materials?

Next steps

Our graduate admissions counselors are here to answer you questions about the admissions process, our academic programs, and student support services.

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