Educational Leadership (M.Ed., Ed.S.)

Degree overview

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) programs in educational leadership at the University of Maine are designed for educators interested in building skills for effective school leadership and administration. The master’s degree is for those just beginning graduate study, while the Ed.S. is a terminal degree program that offers opportunities beyond the master’s level. Students in the Ed.S. program will be positioned to apply for a variety of school district-level leadership and director positions. While it does not require a dissertation, the Ed.S. degree program can help develop research skills.

NOTE: We are not currently admitting students directly into the Education Specialist program. For more information, contact program coordinator Maria Frankland, maria.frankland@maine.edu.

Whether you decide to undertake our programs as part of a cohort or design your own course of study with a faculty advisor, our students are part of a learning community in which both professors and students construct the experience together. Coursework includes simulation, reflective journals, observation and feedback in practice, and examination of group dynamics, as well as conventional university learning activities, all sequenced to build leadership skills. All coursework is aligned with Maine Department of Education competency areas for leadership certification.

Careers in educational leadership
Graduates of the educational leadership M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs at the University of Maine work as teacher leaders, assistant principals, principals, special education directors, curriculum coordinators and athletic directors. In addition, our graduates are prepared to work for nonprofit and government agencies specializing in education policy.

Program delivery
These programs are fully remote, meaning courses are taught through video conferencing one evening per week. The coursework is designed to meet the needs of working professional educators.

The M.Ed. requires a minimum of 37 credit hours, while the Ed.S. requires an additional 30 credit hours for those with a master’s in educational leadership (39-45 hours for those with a master’s degree in a related field). In our continuous cohort model, students take all their classes together while working toward their degrees, allowing you to learn from your peers and professors in a collaborative environment.

Tuition and fees
For current information about tuition and fees, please visit the Bursar’s office.

To apply
Applications are accepted any time through the UMaine Graduate School, with new cohorts beginning each fall. For questions about choosing the best cohort for you, please contact program coordinator Maria Frankland, lecturer in educational leadership.

National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) statement

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