Colorado Mesa University offers 3 comprehensive graduate programs in Educational Leadership and Teaching and Leadership. These programs are designed to prepare education professionals as dynamic school leaders with specialized knowledge in school improvement strategies, research, curriculum/instruction/assessment strategies, leadership skills, school administration and law, budgeting, and human resource management. Courses are offered online and in blended course formats to offer both flexibility and student engagement around the working professional's schedule.
Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership: MA Principal Licensure Track
The Educational Leadership MAEd program prepares licensed classroom teachers to apply for a Colorado Principal License while earning a master's degree. The master's programs uses a cohort model with a group of participants completing all requirements in a four-semester cycle.
Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership: Certificate Principal Licensure Track
This certificate program prepares candidates, who already hold a Master’s Degree, to take the principal licensure exam and apply for a Colorado Principal License. Candidates must hold a valid teaching license and have obtained a prior master's degree to be considered for the certificate program.
Master of Arts in Education in Teaching and Leadership: Non-Licensure MA Track
The Teaching and Leadership MAEd program prepares licensed, classroom teachers seeking curriculum and instructional leadership roles while remaining classroom teachers. The Teaching and Leadership MAEd is also suited for non-licensed, educational professionals seeking a flexible program that provides expertise in administration and leadership. Special emphasis is placed on mentoring, coaching, engaging learners, collegial conversations, constructive feedback systems, Professional Learning Communities, and differentiated learning.
All CMU Master of Arts in Education programs require a capstone project and include master’s foundation courses in theory of curriculum design and assessment, research, culture and pedagogy, and educational technology.
The Master of Arts in Education, Educational Leadership/Principal Licensure is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they gain additional expertise in the area of principal endorsement. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 36 semester hours. The program is designed to provide the student with 12 hours of Master’s foundation courses in theory of curriculum design and assessment, educational technology, culture and pedagogy, research, and a capstone project. The subsequent courses focus on Educational Leadership skills and competencies that prepare candidates to apply for principal licensure. A 300 hour internship in a school is required under the supervision of the building principal.
Academic Requirements for Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership/Principal LicensureThe Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership for Principal Licensure is awarded after successful completion of 24 semester hours focusing on Educational Leadership skills and competencies that adhere to the Colorado Professional Standards for Principals. This certificate program prepares candidates, who already hold a Master’s Degree, to take the PRAXIS exam and apply for a Colorado Principal License. A 300 hour internship in a school is required under the supervision of the building principal.
Academic Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Educational Leadership/Principal LicensureThe Master of Arts in Education is designed as a dynamic program to meet the needs of education professionals as they gain additional expertise. The degree is awarded after successful completion of 30 semester hours. The program provides the student with master’s foundation courses in theory of curriculum design and assessment, educational technology, culture and pedagogy, research, and a capstone project. The subsequent courses focus on Teaching and Leadership skills and competencies.
Academic Requirements for Master of Arts in Education in Teaching and LeadershipCareer Links:
⇒CDE Initial Principal Licensure Site: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/checklist-initialprincipal
⇒Colorado Department of Education Current Educators Page: http://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/currenteducators⇒Colorado Teaching Jobs: https://colorado.teachers-teachers.com/
⇒Higher Ed Jobs: https://www.higheredjobs.com
⇒Nationwide Career, Salary, and Licensure Information at Teacher.org: https://www.teacher.org
⇒Mesa County School District Teacher Pay Schedules:
- Note: the MA degree is required to qualify for the additional compensation schedule.
- Available at https://www.d51schools.org → Employment → JobOpportunities → Salary Schedules
Educational Leadership Program Coordinator: Amelia Baldwin - [email protected] - 970.248.1786
Mark Schmalz is a former coordinator and long-time instructor for the Educational Leadership Program. In the CMUnow podcast linked below, learn why Principal Schmalz believes a career in education is the best job in the world!
Schmalz has spent the last 40 years teaching everything from K-12, to teaching abroad, to being an elementary principal, to now teaching at Colorado Mesa University. Schmalz strives to provide new experiences and influences to his students, focusing on teaching a wide range of pedagogies to help students find their individual teaching styles.