The Master of Arts in Illinois Principal Preparation prepares educators for school administrative responsibility. This program is designed to help the candidate:
- Promote the success of all students through developing and implementing a shared vision of learning and programs, which support this learning.
- Develop basic skills in management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
- Collaborate with staff, boards, students, families and community members in response to diverse educational and community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources.
- Demonstrate integrity, fairness and ethical behavior to help in the development of a caring and moral school community.
- Understand and respond to the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural contexts.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into most graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study for in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students seeking to change programs may do so by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards and meet published program admission requirements at the time of requesting a program change. Program changes will be processed and recorded for the subsequent semester.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission requirements above, candidates must also possess at entry to the program at least two years of full-time, successful teaching experience and/or student support personnel experience (Social Worker, School Counselor, School Nurse, Speech and Language Pathologist, and School Psychologist), and hold a valid Illinois professional educator license (PEL). A copy of a valid Illinois PEL must be submitted.
Please note: At the time of program completion, among other licensure requirements, candidates must have at least four years of full-time, successful teaching experience and/or student support personnel experience to apply for licensure.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDL-6120 | Supervision and Improvement of Instruction | 3 |
| EDL-6130 | School Evaluation and Change Process | 3 |
| EDL-6140 | Curriculum and Assessment: Framework for Student Learning | 3 |
| EDL-6230 | School Law and Policies | 3 |
| EDL-6235 | Principal as Resource Manager | 3 |
| EDL-6240 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDL-6300 | Ethical Leadership: Models and Practices | 3 |
| EDL-6310 | School, Families and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| RES-6600 | Research in Education | 3 |
| EDL-6993 | Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship I 1 | 3 |
| EDL-6994 | Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship II 1 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Prerequisite: The student must be in the Principal Preparation Program. Students must consult with their Graduate Program Specialist (GPS) advisor before registering for these courses.
Capstone Experience
This is a year-long (two consecutive semesters – Fall and Spring) capstone clinical experience offering a variety of appropriate site-based hands-on experiences, including public policy in a diverse setting supervised by University and site personnel. These should be among the final courses in the program (EDL-6993 Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship I and EDL-6994 Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship II). Prerequisite: The student must be in the Principal Preparation Program. Students must consult with their Graduate Program Specialist (GPS) before registering for these courses.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application for this master's degree program.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher (grades of C or higher required for MAT programs),
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Have on file approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s), "Course Substitution" form(s), or evaluation(s), if applicable.
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, portfolio, thesis or dissertation.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.
Please note: At the time of program completion, among other licensure requirements, candidates must have at least four years of full-time, successful teaching experience and/or student support personnel experience to apply for licensure.
This program does not lead to initial Illinois licensure (PEL) but will, through direct university entitlement, lead to an additional credential on your existing PEL. The awarding of this credential will require the completion of this academic program and an existing and active PEL, and may require a passing score on the corresponding Illinois State Licensure Test(s), associated work experience, a previous master's degree, and completion of a state training academy. For specific requirements regarding this credential please refer to ISBE’s webpage or contact the Licensure Officer at licensure@cuchicago.edu.
Post-graduate coursework
A student who wishes to enroll in a course(s) after completion of coursework required for the master’s degree must apply as a guest graduate student and have guest status for the term(s) for which the student registers for these course(s).