MEd K12 Teacher Instructional Leadership
Application Deadline: 3/15/25
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Note: Students can apply for both Summer and Fall by 3/15/2025, and then 7/1/2025 for late consideration for Fall.
The Teacher Instructional Leadership M.Ed. is a four-semester degree program (30 credit hours) intended for K12 educators working in public, charter, private schools and other educational organizations. The program is designed to support educators in developing the knowledge and skills specific to building a foundation of instructional leadership that supports school improvement.
- Applications are accepted summer and fall semesters, with program completion in four semesters.
- Students attend as a flex cohort, enrolling in two content courses each semester; and a practicum hybrid course in the first and fourth semesters.
- All courses are offered in the evening hours (class start time is 4:35 p.m.) to accommodate working educators.
- Classes are scheduled one night per week in the fall and spring semesters and two nights per week in the summer semester block (7 weeks).
- Classes will be held in person at the University of Utah Campus.
Secondary Licensure and MED in Teacher Instructional Leadership
The K12 Teacher Instructional Leadership program also offers an option for those seeking educator licensing through the Urban Institute of Teacher Education (UITE). Click HERE for details.
Option to complete K12 School Leadership Licensure
Students that have successfully completed the K12 Teacher Instructional Leadership M.Ed. program have the option to apply for K12 School Leadership Licensure program within three (3) years of graduation. The graduate would apply to the department for the K12 School Leadership Licensure option, and if accepted, will:
- Enroll in and complete the remaining eighteen (18) credit hours of required school leadership content coursework;
- Complete a sequential series of three (3) K-12 Practicum courses (9 credit hours);
- Complete the UU/USBE required practicum competencies and clinical experiences in K-12 schools;
- Pass a required Supervisory/Administrative Licensure test (Praxis/SLLA); and
- Complete all eligibility requirements for recommendation to the Utah State Board of Education for K12 School Leadership Licensure.
At a Glance
K-12
30
3/15/25
$55-$65
MEd
Admissions
Admission Requirements
- minimum undergrad GPA of 3.0
- graduate with a bachelor’s degree in education; or
- have minimum of one year experience teaching in a public, charter, or private school; or
- be concurrently enrolled in the Urban Institute for Teacher Education licensure program.
For Graduation/Licensure Completion
- maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
- complete all program credit hours (30)
- complete all coursework and practicum requirements
Application Process
Under the Program Information section on the Slate application, first choose your program of interest, which is Educational Leadership & Policy MEd. Then choose your area of emphasis – Teacher Instructional Leadership.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Statement of Intent: What are your professional goals? What is the role of this program in helping you achieve them? (250 words or less)
- Written Essay: The Educational Leadership and Policy Department places a strong emphasis on school improvement and preparing educators to become social justice advocates. Explain how you envision your role as a teacher leader within school improvement and how you would address issues of access, equity, and diversity for students. (500 words or less.)
- Resume: Outline your education and professional history; including any leadership roles in education.
- Recommendation Letters: Three recommendation letters are required. One from a current supervisor, and two from a colleague or former professor with knowledge of the applicant’s academic and/or leadership potential
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Curriculum
ELP 6010 Evidence-Based Decision Making - This course examines theories, issues, challenges, processes, and tools of decision-making for educational leaders. The assumptions and weaknesses of classical decision theory are examined and alternative explanations explored, including examination of both formal (scientific) and informal (intuitive) methods of decision-making.
ELP 6130 Professional Learning Communities - Aspiring leaders in education will learn the skills associated with collaborative decision-making and problem-solving within an educational setting. The emphasis of the course is specific to a professional learning community (PLC).
ELP 6200 Adult Learning Theory for Educators - This course focuses on developing knowledge, skills, mindsets, and competencies to participate, lead, evaluate, and advocate for Professional Learning at both the individual, collaborative, and organizational levels.
ELP 6250 Leadership for School Improvement – Students will develop leadership knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to promote change in K-12 educational organizations, including school improvement tied to accountability policies.
ELP 6310 Leadership for Instructional Design and Assessment – This course is intentionally designed for participants to explore the theories, principles, and practices of leadership in the areas of instructional planning, design and assessment.
ELP 6320 Instructional Coaching –Guided by the USBE Standards for Professional Learning, participants explore what it means to be an instructional coach by developing knowledge and dispositions for instructional coaching through review and study of research and theory, then develop the skills of coaching to apply in an authentic setting for promoting affective and cognitive learning.
ELP 6411 Special Education Law and Policy -
ELP 6511 Leadership for Equity and Social Change – This course will focus on the learning of concepts from social justice leadership and culturally relevant practice; and how the application of these concepts can change the discourse and practice of school leaders to help create a school climate and culture that is safe for students of all backgrounds.
Student Resources
University Information
- Apply Now
- Graduate School
- University of Utah Catalog
- University of Utah Academic Calendar
- Financial Aid & Scholarships
Department Information
For additional information about our programs, please contact Dr. Shari Fraser at shari.fraser@utah.edu or call (801) 585-0173
Info Sessions
Program Information Meetings
TBD
Meetings will be held via Zoom:
https://utah.zoom.us/j/94515495704
Shari Fraser, Program Advisor at shari.fraser@utah.edu.