国产传媒

Graduate, Certificate

Instructional Leadership

Degree type:
Certificate, MS
Mode of study:
On-campus, Hybrid
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About the program

The Instructional Leadership (IL) program is a 30-unit, Master of Science in Education degree that prepares experienced teachers to become teacher leaders on at their school sites. You will refine your pedagogy and curriculum development skills and develop the leadership skills required for coaching, mentoring, and providing professional development. Electives include courses on creating healthy school and classroom environments, infusing technology in classroom curricula, social justice in schooling, and professional sustainability through self-care practice. The culminating activity is an action research project conducted in your own classroom or school aimed at putting skills and theory into practice. The program can be completed in five semesters or at your own pace.

Alternatively, students can also pursue a Certificate in Instructional Leadership. The 15-unit certificate program offers the same core courses as those in the Master of Science in Education, plus one additional elective. This program- which can be completed in one year, or at your own pace- is ideal for experienced educators hoping to bring teacher leadership skills to their classrooms and school sites.

Both programs can be completed in conjunction with the Induction Program, as needed and appropriate. Induction students may use Induction coursework for Instructional Leadership elective credit.

Application requirements

Course requirements

30 units total. Please note that course offerings, class schedules and program requirements are subject to change without notice. Please contact the department for more information.

12 units

  • EDU 240: Curriculum Design and Evaluation (3 units)
  • EDU 241: Effective Practices for Coaching and Mentoring Teachers (3 units)
  • EDU 242: Creating Inclusive and Motivating Classroom Environments for All Students (3 units)
  • EDU 243: Teacher Leadership in Professional Development (3 units)

6 units

  • EDU 200: Research Methods (3 units)
  • EDU 296A: Masters Project Proposal Seminar (1 unit)
  • EDU 296B: Masters Project Seminar (2 units)

12 units

Elective courses may be selected from any of the 国产传媒 graduate education course offerings. However, the following courses are highly recommended.

  • EDU 205: Applied Technologies for Educators
  • EDU 206: School and Society
  • EDU 247: Contemplative Practices for Educators and Healthcare Professionals
  • EDU 252: Diversity and Schools
  • EDU 299: Special Topics in Education (3 units)
    • Past topics include:
      • Resilience, Teaching, and Leadership
      • Los Angeles is our Classroom: Teaching as a Tool for Social Change
      • Social Media and Culturally Relevant ELA Instruction
      • Digital Storytelling, Literacy, Transformation, and Participation in the Classroom

+Certificate in Inclusive and Responsive Teaching (CIRT)

Candidates enrolling in the Instructional Leadership program are also eligible to concurrently earn the Certificate in Inclusive and Responsive Teaching (CIRT) without taking any additional units beyond the 30 required for the IL program. This certificate program invites you to improve both your marketability and classroom practice. Approved elective courses focus on expanding skills related to working with students with various special needs. This 12-unit program can be fully embedded within your master’s program when you select electives from the following set of approved courses:

Inclusive and Responsive Teaching electives

12 units total

  • EDU 208B: Responsive Teaching for All Learners (1.5 units)
  • EDU 242: Creating Inclusive and Motivating Classroom Environments for All Students (3 units)
  • EDU 270B: Special Populations: Supporting Educational Access (2 units)
  • EDU 272: Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Special Needs (3 units)
  • EDU 278: Program Leadership for Education Specialists (3 units)
  • EDU 279: Supporting Students with Neurological Disorders (3 units)
  • EDU 251: Child and Adolescent Development and Learning Across Cultures (3 units)
  • EDU 256: Language and Literacy: Elementary Curriculum (3 units)
  • EDU 268: Content-Based Reading Instruction and Content Area Modules (4 units)

Induction Program to Clear Credential

Teachers may also choose to clear their preliminary credential while completing the Instructional Leadership program. Teachers who do so can take elective courses from our Induction Program to Clear Credential (e.g. EDU 225A, 225B, 225C, 225D – 1 unit each). Admission to the Induction Program to Clear Credential requires a separate application and additional application requirements. 

Ask your advisor about adding these latter two program options to your plan!

*The Preliminary and Induction Teacher Preparation Programs meet the standards for and have been approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC), leading to a California Preliminary or Clear Teaching Credential.  Students who wish to practice in a state other than California will have additional licensing requirements to complete prior to practicing in a state outside of California. Mount Saint Mary鈥檚 University is in the process of researching program professional licensure standards in other states.  Contact the Education department at educationdepartment@msmu.edu to discuss additional requirements that may be needed to obtain a teaching credential in a state outside of California. 

Bessie Bruington Burke Award and Scholarship

Awards and Scholarships

The Mount’s Instructional Leadership Program is proud to present the Bessie Bruington Burke Scholarship. Mrs. Burke was the first black teacher and principal in Los Angeles public schools. In her honor, the Mount awards a $5,000 scholarship (minimum) to new preliminary credential or instructional leadership students.

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