Virginia Wesleyan University Master of Education in Teacher Leadership

Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU) Online offers a fully online Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teacher Leadership. Designed for licensed teachers, the program prepares graduates to serve more effectively in the classroom and take on leadership positions in and out of the classroom.

Teachers learn to address the varying needs of their students through knowledge and skills concerning exceptional students, classroom and behavior management, advanced teaching methods, student assessment, research, and educational leadership.

Concentration courses cover topics such as professional collaboration, cultural competence, advocacy in schools, how educational leaders become change agents, and educational policy leadership. The M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership curriculum aligns with the National Competencies of Teacher Leadership published by the National Education Association (NEA) Teacher Leadership Institute.

Courses last seven weeks each, and start dates land twice each in the fall, spring, or summer. Teachers can complete the degree in as few as 12 to 16 months, or longer for a less rigorous weekly schedule.To complete the degree in 16 months, students should expect to spend 18 to 24 hours per week on coursework.

Graduates of the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program will also be equipped to become corporate trainers, development managers, and instructional designers. These corporate careers allow graduates to implement leadership and training skills outside the traditional educational sphere. Instructional designers may work for schools or businesses, developing educational materials for training and academics.

Applicants must hold a valid teaching license or have a teaching position in an educational setting and have a bachelor’s degree in an educational field. A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required. Applicants who fall below the minimum GPA may be eligible for conditional admission, which involves taking two courses in the program and earning a B or higher in each course to continue. Conditionally admitted students must have a teaching license or a full-time position in a PreK-12 setting. With the application, students must submit official transcripts and an application essay. The Teacher Leadership M.Ed. program does not require applicants to sit for the GRE or GMAT exam.

M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership courses are delivered online, asynchronously, through Blackboard. Students can collaborate with faculty and peers through discussion boards and get help through online faculty office hours. Student services include student advising, technical support and training, and student academic support services through the Learning Center. VWU is also a military-friendly school.

The online Master of Education in Teacher Leadership program includes the following core courses: Characteristics of and Adaptations for Exceptional Student Populations; Classroom and Behavior Management; Advanced Methods of Instruction; Research Methods in Education; Assessment for Equitable Instruction; and Professional Writing in Education. Concentration courses in Teacher Leadership include Cultural Competent and Advocacy in Schools; Professional Collaboration for Enhanced Leadership; Education Leaders as Change Agents; and Leadership in Educational Policy.

Virginia Wesleyan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).