Program Summary
The Beverley Taylor Sorenson College of Education and Human Development’s Graduate Studies in Education programs have been tailored to meet the needs of practicing educators who desire to advance their educational training and expertise. The programs provide multiple distance, face-to-face, and blended learning opportunities for individuals who desire to obtain a Master of Education Degree and/or an Educational Leadership License. The College’s Leadership in Education and Administrative Development (M.Ed. LEAD) Program has been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) through October 2022. For a non-degreed licensure program of study, see Administrative/Supervisory License Leadership in Education & Administrative Development (LEAD) .
Program Learning Outcomes
VISIONARY LEADERSHIP
- Establish high and measurable expectations for all students and educators.
- Facilitate a process of creating a shared vision, mission, and goals.
- Sustain strong organizational commitment to vision, mission and goals aimed at continuous improvement.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
- Sustain strong organizational commitment to vision, mission and goals aimed at continuous improvement.
- Require all educators to know and use Utah Core Standards, and current Utah Effective Teaching Standards.
- Implement appropriate systems of assessment and accountability.
MANAGEMENT FOR LEARNING
- Distribute responsibilities and supervise ongoing management structures and practices to enhance teaching and learning.
- Strategically allocate and align human, fiscal, technological, and physical resources.
- Protect the well-being and safety of students and staff.
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
- Collaborate with families and diverse community stakeholders to extend programs, services, and outreach.
- Respond and contribute to community interests and needs.
- Maximize shared school and community resources to provide essential services for students and families.
ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
- Demonstrate appropriate, ethical, and legal behavior expected by the profession.
- Examine personal assumptions, values, beliefs, cultural competencies, and practices in service of a shared vision, mission, and goals for student learning.
- Perform the work required for high levels of personal effective leadership performance, including acquiring new capacities needed to fulfill responsibilities.
SYSTEMS LEADERSHIP
- Demonstrate active participation in the school’s local community.
- Contribute to the larger arena of educational policy making.
- Increase the effectiveness of the school community’s efforts to improve education.
Program Information
Program Goals
The goal of the M.Ed. LEAD program is to prepare caring, competent, and highly effective educational leaders by advocating for remarkable innovation and change in education.
Professional educators seeking graduate degrees and/or administrative license meet the Highly Effective or Distinguished levels of the Utah Effective Teaching Standards and National Board for Professional Teaching Standards as teachers and/or the Utah Educational Leadership Standards as administrators.
Admission Requirements
For detailed directions on graduate application procedures, potential candidates applying individually should refer to the Graduate Studies in Education web page at www.suu.edu/ed/graduate.
Admission Requirements for Administrative Licensure
All requirements must be met prior to admission to the program. For specific requirements for M.Ed. with Administrative License or Administrative License only programs, see www.suu.edu/ed/graduate/administrative-license.html.
In addition to the minimum requirements, applicants to this program must also submit the following:
- Proof of level 2 teaching license;
- Proof of three (3) years of paid teaching experience;
- Two (2) letters of reference; one (1) must be from applicant’s most recent education supervisor (principal or current administrator) and one (1) from someone who has worked with the applicant in an administrative or supervisory capacity;
- Proof of background clearance; and
- Copy of most recent principal (or supervisor) evaluation.
GPA Requirements
Transcripts must verify a minimum GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 semester credits of approved undergraduate/graduate coursework.
Application Deadlines
Applications are not processed until they are complete. To ensure that your application can be processed in time to be registered for the next semester, all application materials must be completely filled in and received in the Graduate Studies in Education office by the following dates:
| Semester Start |
Application Deadline |
| Fall Semester |
July 15 |
| Spring Semester |
November 15 |
| Summer Semester |
April 15 |
| |
Orientation Information
Before being admitted and cleared for appropriate coursework, applicants must also complete an orientation session. Orientation sessions will be held face-to-face or via IVC (Interactive Video Conferencing) at least two (2) weeks prior to the deadline for applications and submission of all required documents. Please contact Shelley Dahlin at (435) 586-7968 or dahlin@suu.edu for details.
Licensure Requirements
Master of Education candidates seeking state licensure in educational administration must achieve a passing score on the PRAXIS Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision exam (#5412). Candidates must also demonstrate professional competency through submission of a professional portfolio and work sample addressing UELS Standards and an exit interview.
General Program Information
- Master’s degree and Licensure programs must be completed within six (6) years of beginning coursework after admission. Credits earned before admission to the program may be no older than 10 years at the time of program completion.
- Graduate students must earn a 3.0 GPA each semester. If the overall GPA falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on probation for one semester. At the end of the probationary semester, if the GPA is not a 3.0, the student will be dropped from the program. A “B-” grade or below is considered a failing grade. If a student earns a “B-” or below in a course, the course must be retaken. No other courses may be taken (even concurrently) until the grade has been raised to the minimum “B” grade. Failure to raise the grade in two (2) subsequent attempts will result in the student being dropped from the program. Students dropped from the program may apply for readmission after a five-year period has passed.
- Graduate students must display professional dispositions, including, but not limited to, academic integrity, throughout their course of study. Student performance reviews occur routinely during graduate faculty meetings, where concerns regarding student dispositions are discussed. If warranted, concerns will be addressed through various means that may require action from the student before continuing in the program.
- Incidents of academic dishonesty will be investigated and could impact the final grade in the course and/or status in the program. Section II C. 2 b. of the SUU Student Handbook prohibits “cheating, forgery, plagiarism or other use of work belonging to another person.” As stated in the SUU Catalog, “If a student is guilty of academic dishonesty, the student may be dismissed from the class and may receive a failing grade. Other penalties may include suspension or expulsion from school.” The Graduate Studies in Education faculty use plagiarism detection software on submitted work.
- If a student misses more than two (2) consecutive semesters, excluding summer sessions, the student must apply for readmission and is subject to current Catalog requirements at the time of readmission.
- Delivery of graduate programs is done through a variety of formats. All courses will have semester-long online components.
- Due to the rigorous nature of graduate studies, students must have special permission from the Graduate Studies in Education Office to enroll in more than six (6) hours/credits during fall or spring semesters. Students may enroll for no more than nine (9) hours/credits during the summer.
- Policies and procedures are subject to change.
Program Requirements
Graduate Program Director
Administrative Assistant