Taking Courses and Admissions

Non-matriculated students may take two classes that are designated as classes available to them.  They may also choose to take a third and fourth class, but only with the approval of the department after submitting their admission application. See program options.

Admission applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but it is best to have your application in by these dates for the following semesters: October 15 for spring, February 1 for summer, and May 1 for fall.

When you apply to the program, you are given the opportunity to request transfer credits. The Application Review Committee will determine if your courses are suitable for transfer.

The Educational Leadership program offers four pathways: a Master of Education in either Educational Leadership or Teacher Leadership, a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership, and an Assistant Principal Certificate of Graduate Study.  Visit the Program Options page to learn more about each offering.

Advising

Once you are accepted into the program and matriculated, you are assigned a faculty advisor. Your advisor is listed in your acceptance letter and also in your MaineStreet account. Your advisor will be one of the following faculty found here.

There is a tremendous amount of variability in terms of how long an individual requires completing the program. In order to be considered a full time student, you must take at least six (6) credit hours per semester. Most students take classes on a part-time basis while continuing to have a full-time career. This enables you to complete the program in about 3.5 years.

Courses are offered in multiple formats, every semester, including summer. Courses are offered online, asynchronous, or scheduled online via Zoom, or in a blended format (part online, part on campus). Courses are in both 7-week and 15 week formats, including the internship.

Internships

Unfortunately, only matriculated students are allowed to enroll in the Internship. We suggest that you apply to our master’s or post-master’s (CAS) program.

The internship is available to students matriculated in the master’s and the post-master’s certificate of advanced studies (CAS) in educational leadership. Internships are offered in four areas:

  1. Principal
  2. Curriculum Coordinator
  3. Special Education Director
  4. Superintendent

Student take nine credits for the first three options and six credits for the superintendency. The superintendency is typically available at the CAS level.

The internship itself is done at a school district with a mentor. There are 240 hours required in Maine for the nine credits. The internship course includes meeting regularly with your classmates and the instructor. The class itself is offered in different formats, depending on what section you registered for. The options include:

  1. 15-week semester, fall, spring, and summer, a year-long experience with an orientation in the spring leading up to the internship year. Classes are held in Portland in a blended format on campus and online.
  2. 7-week format, online asynchronously so essentially you complete the internship in about 4.5 months. This cycle begins in the first term of each semester.

Maine requires a total of 240 hours to be accumulated and documented by the end of the Internship experience for certification in one area. Additional Internship hours are required for dual certification. It is suggested that students complete 80 Internship hours per semester or term. We do not accept hours accumulated before the official start of the Internship semester (ie: attendance at conferences/meetings before enrollment in the Internship).

In addition to completing 240 internship hours, and attending an internship seminar, students will meet regularly with their mentor and the instructor. Students also take EDU 677: Seminar in School Management. This course includes the use of case studies, simulations, readings, presentations and discussions that focus on students: (1) learning the nuts and bolts needed for daily school leadership; (2) examining current issues facing school administrators; (3) learning strategies for managing and understanding oneself within the administrator’s role; (4) studying specific financial skills required of the school administrators; and (5) articulating positions on current educational practices, that complement the internship.

A mentor must be certified and currently employed in the area you are interning. Mentors may be your current administrator or someone outside your building/district. It is the responsibility of the intern to select the mentor but the University professor will assist in the process if necessary.

Dual certification refers to fulfilling additional Internship assignments and work hours in order to receive graduate credit toward two different internships, such EDU 685: Principalship and EDU 686: Special Education Director. Dual certification must be decided BEFORE you begin your Internship work, as involves a special timeline of assignments, work hours, and registration needs.

Financial Resources for Graduate Students

Yes.  There are multiple scholarships available and awarded each year within the School of Education and Human Development.  These scholarships typically range from $500 – $2,500.

Yes.  Students can apply for graduate assistantships.  These positions will be offered to degree students taking at least six credit hours per semester while employed.  A student may be offered a part time position (10 hours/week), or a full time position (20 hours/week).  See the graduate assistantship opportunities here.