Master of Arts
This program is available on the Aurora campus.
This program is offered in the traditional and AU Online format.
Program Description
The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) program will lead to a Principal Endorsement. The MAEL with the Principal Endorsement is designed for candidates who wish to prepare to become a principal, assistant principal, or director of special education.
The rigorous 36-semester hour Principal Endorsement program was collaboratively designed by Aurora University faculty and members of the District Partnership Network. The curriculum design includes field experience embedded in the courses giving candidates the opportunity to directly apply what they are learning in class. Coursework prepares the candidates for the Internship, which takes place in PreK–12 diverse instructional settings under the joint supervision of a local principal mentor and the Aurora University faculty supervisor.
Admission Procedures — Qualification for Admission
The items below are required for the application file to the Aurora University Principal Endorsement Program. Once all materials are received, applicants will be contacted with further instructions for the interview/portfolio portion of the application procedure.
All candidates seeking admission to the Principal Endorsement Program must:
- Hold a professional educator license (early childhood, elementary, secondary, special K–12 or preschool-age 21 or school service personnel
- Be in a current full-time teaching or school service position and have two or more years of teaching experience or school service work in a PreK–12 setting
Admission Requirements
- A completed Graduate Application for Admission (aurora.edu/auapply).
- Transcripts (official & sealed in envelope) from the last degree earned: undergraduate degree indicating a GPA of 2.75 or higher or a graduate degree indicating a GPA of 3.0 or higher, both based on a 4.0 scale. Aurora University accepts official electronic transcripts at mailto:AU-ETranscripts@aurora.edu
- A current resume documenting required teaching and leadership experience
- A recommendation from your current district superintendent, as well as a recommendation from your current building principal addressing all of the following:
- Implementing data analysis skills, resulting in instructional revisions and increased student learning/achievement1
- Documenting strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills1
- Demonstrating strong leadership skills in a current role or the capacity to assume a significant leadership role in the school and/or community environment1
- 1
Collect artifacts that you will bring to your interview that document these areas
Following receipt of the above documents, the candidate is required to attend an interview and orientation to the program.
Programs Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDU-6510 | Educational Leadership and Organizational Theory | 3 |
| EDU-6515 | Technology for School Leaders | 3 |
| EDU-6525 | The Leader's Role in Human Resources and Supervision of Staff | 3 |
| EDU-6530 | The Leadership Role in Curriculum Development, Instruction, Assessment, and Evaluation | 3 |
| EDU-6535 | The Leader's Role in School-Community Relations | 3 |
| EDU-6565 | The Leader's Role in Fiscal Management | 3 |
| EDU-6570 | School Leadership and the Law | 3 |
| EDU-6575 | School Leadership and the Law for Special Populations | 3 |
| EDU-6580 | The Leader's Role in School Improvement Learning | 3 |
| EDU-6585 | Introduction to the Internship | 3 |
| EDU-6590 | Internship for Educational Leadership I | 3 |
| EDU-6595 | Internship for Educational Leadership II | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
Graduate Degree Requirements
- Completion of all coursework specified by the graduate program.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if specified by the graduate program.
- Submission of all pre-graduation materials required by the graduate program.
- Acceptance of thesis or other required final project by the graduate program.
- Submission of two copies of approved thesis or project in a specified form together with payment of binding fee where applicable.
- Submission of Application for Graduation and payment of any graduation fees assessed by the university.
- In the case of certification programs, submission of all governmental forms.
- Residency Requirement: A minimum of 25% percent of the total credits required for the completion of the graduate degree or post-baccalaureate certificate or credential must be earned at Aurora University. Individual programs may establish more extensive residency requirements, including requirements that specific coursework be completed at Aurora University.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory at all class sessions. If a candidate is to be absent for any reason, they must discuss the expected absence with the course instructor before the absence occurs.
Academic Standards and Evaluation in Graduate Education Programs
Upon completion of each course, letter grades are assigned to each candidate. At the graduate level, a “C” grade indicates less than complete mastery of the content and methods of the course. Only two grades of “C” are accepted at the graduate level. If a “C” is received within the first three courses, the candidate may be removed from the program, by action of the program faculty.
Learning Outcomes
- Candidates will demonstrate content knowledge in their program.
- Candidates will demonstrate the ability to plan an appropriate environment.
- Candidates will demonstrate success in Clinical Placements.
- Candidates will demonstrate ability to provide a supportive environment for student learning.
- Candidates will demonstrate the dispositions necessary for professional educators.
- Programs will demonstrate ability to produce effective educators.