Why Study Educational Leadership Studies
You have developed your craft as a teacher. Are you ready to take your passion for education to the next level and impact your school community? This degree path, also known as the Aspiring Administrator Preparation Network, prepares high-caliber educators to become effective school administrators, equipped with the knowledge and skills to lead and inspire students, teachers and school communities as assistant principals, principals, district leaders or in other capacities. This graduate degree leads to a Tennessee Instructional Leaders License – Beginning (ILL-B) Administration and Supervision from the Tennessee Department of Education. Aspiring administrators must pass 10 courses and the SLLA 6990 Praxis to be granted licensure.
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership Studies
Whether you want to improve your skills as a teacher-leader or desire a principalship
or district-level position, this degree is practical and relevant. Our licensure program
is fully accredited and completely online.
Faculty members are primarily former leaders in high-achieving schools who understand
the practice of leadership first-hand.
Most affordable principal preparation degree program in Tennessee!
Candidate Requirements
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Apply and be admitted through Austin Peay graduate admissions
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Demonstrate leadership readiness in application process
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Submit proof of a minimum of three years of teaching as a licensed educator or school service provider
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Secure a mentor principal to support you in your educational journey
Application deadline
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June 30 of each year to start in August cohort.
Program Highlights
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Accelerated one-year program: 10 courses, completed in 7.5-week terms, which allow students to balance their studies with other responsibilities. Classes begin in August of each academic year, with degree completion in August of the following year.
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Convenient online format: Learn from anywhere with internet access through our user-friendly D2L platform and regular virtual meetings.
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Experienced faculty and mentors: Gain insights and practical guidance from our dedicated professors and experienced administrative coaches with monthly mentoring sessions.
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Job-embedded, cohort-style learning: Apply coursework directly to real-world situations through job-embedded assignments in your own school, while interacting with other students in the program.
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Evidence-based curriculum: Designed to cultivate inclusive and effective learning environments, with a focus on instructional leadership, balcony view, data-informed decisions and a growth mindset.
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Aligned with state standards: Our curriculum meets the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards and Tennessee Literacy Standards to ensure student success.
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ILL-A license: The Instructional Leader Leaders License – Aspiring (ILL-A) license granted by the Tennessee Department of Education allows you to serve in administrative capacities even before graduation.
Questions?
Dr. Christi Maldonado
Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator
931-221-7510
maldonadoc@apsu.edu
Program Information
Educational Leadership Studies Program Requirements
Educational Leadership Studies Degree Map
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students should be aware that licensure and certification requirements vary from state to state and are subject to change. Licensing agencies or boards also may have requirements in addition to an earned degree. APSU has not made a determination whether APSU’s programs will meet all of the licensure and certification requirements in each US state or territory. APSU recommends that students who are not Tennessee residents or who plan to seek licensure or certification outside the state of Tennessee contact the appropriate licensing agency or board before they enroll in an academic program designed to lead to licensure or certification and discuss their plans with an advisor.
Please visit the Professional Licensure Disclosure webpage to review specific licensure information for your state and academic program.
