The USM Educational Leadership programs recognize the career paths of education professionals, from classroom teachers who aspire to school leadership to experienced administrators who are pursuing advanced positions at the district level. Read below to determine which program is right for you.

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership

Degree: Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership

The MSEd in Educational Leadership offers two options for program completion:

This program will prepare students to be eligible for licensure within the State of Maine. Visit the UMS State Authorization and Licensure page to learn more about the licensure requirements in other states and territories, and for contact information to inquire further about the licensure requirements associated with this program.

  • Educators with three years experience who seek K-12 school administration as a principal.
  • Educators with three years experience who seekK-12 school administration as a special education director.
  • Educators with three years experience who seek K-12 school administration as a curriculum coordinator.
  • Both in-state and out-of-state residents.

Launch the Maine Online site to learn more about our fully online program.

  • Career advancement: This program leads to Maine K12 administration certification. Upon earning your master’s degree, depending on the type of internship you complete you’ll be prepared to serve as a school principal, special education director, or curriculum coordinator.
  • Program format: A blended format in 15-week semesters, with some courses online and some courses held on campus.
  • Field Experience: The internship is a year-long experience spread over three semesters beginning in May and ending in May of the following year.

Learn more: Read about our program requirements and admission deadlines and application instructions.

Master’s Degree in Teacher Leadership

Degree: Master of Science in Education in Teacher Leadership

The MS.Ed. in Teacher Leadership offers two options for program completion:

  • Fully online accelerated program format, in 7-week course delivery
  • Blended program format, in 15-week course delivery
  • Current teachers seeking to increase their knowledge, deepen practices, and develop leadership skills in curriculum, assessment and instruction.
  • Current teachers seeking to increase their knowledge, deepen practices, and develop leadership skills, in addition to a self-design concentration.
  • Both in-state and out-of-state residents.

Launch the Maine Online site to learn more about our fully online program.

  • Career advancement: This program leads to teacher leadership. Upon earning your master’s degree, students are prepared for leadership roles in the classroom and in their content areas.
  • Program format: A blended format with some courses online and some courses held on campus.
  • Self-design concentration: students design their own 12 credit concentration or can choose from a certificate already designed such as Literacy Education, Assistant Principal, or Gifted and Talented Education.

Learn more: Read about our program requirements, and admission deadlines and application instructions.

Certificate of Graduate Study in Assistant Principal

Certified teachers including K-12 classroom and special education teachers with at least three years of experience.

  • Career advancement: This program leads to Maine K12 administration certification in assistant principal. Upon earning your post-bachelor certificate of graduate study, you’ll have completed the coursework needed to serve as an assistant principal in the state of Maine.
  • Program format: A blended format in 15-week semesters, with some courses online and some courses held on campus.
  • Future degree planning: Interested in earning your Master’s in Educational Leadership or Teacher Leadership in the future? The credits you earn through this certificate program can be transferred to our MSEd in either program. Some restrictions may apply.

Learn more: Read about our program requirements, and admission deadlines and application instructions.

Post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership

  • Practicing educators with a prior master’s degree who are seeking advanced academic coursework in educational change and leadership.
  • Educators with three years of more teaching experience with a master’s degree who are seeking K-12 school administration as a school principal, special education director, or curriculum coordinator.
  • School administrators with a master’s degree who are seeking additional  K-12 school administration as a school principal, special education director, curriculum coordinator, or superintendent.
  • Career advancement: We’ll provide guidance for you to self-design your course of study according to your career goals. You can design a course plan that leads to Maine certification as a school administrator.
  • Program format: A blended format with some courses online and some courses held on campus.
  • Field Experience: If you choose to fulfill the coursework required for school administration you’ll participate in a  year-long internship experience.

Learn more: Read about our program requirements, and admission deadlines and application instructions.