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Master of Education - Leadership of PreK-12 Educational Organizations
Online Master’s Degree in Education
This program is designed to support the advancement of professional educators into school principals and administrative leaders, specifically those interested in obtaining PreK–12 Principal Certification in the State of Arizona. This educational leadership program offers an opportunity for qualified candidates to obtain the required knowledge, skills, and abilities through academic and hands-on practicum experiences in their work environment. The program includes 15 practicum hours per course for a total of 150 practicum hours that are required for graduation.
The program culminates in a Capstone e-Portfolio that demonstrates (a) quality coaching in the field via carefully selected mentors; (b) experienced faculty engagement; and (c) documentation that chronicles learning gains and thoughtful reflections for future actions. This three-area approach is designed to enhance the candidates’ meaningful experiences supported by the campus mentor, faculty, and district expectations
Next start date
Program Credits
45
Each Course Length
5 Weeks
Location
Online,
Classes start on Jul 30, 2025
Program Outline
Study with education leaders in this 10-course Master’s degree program that leads to Arizona PreK-12 Principal Certification. The program can be completed in a year and as an AZ State Board of Education-approved program, candidates can pursue the certification process after successful program completion. Candidates will take all courses online and design their practicum experience through their Arizona school. Candidates will receive hands-on experience with eLearning tools to create an ePortfolio and are required to complete 15 hours of practicum per course.
The Arizona State Board of Education has approved this program as an Educator Preparation Program leading to educator certification. Upon program completion, AIU will submit its Institutional Recommendation to the Board; it is the candidate’s responsibility to complete the certification process with the state.
AIU's Master of Education (M.Ed.), is programmatically accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP)
Admission Requirements
In addition to AIU’s general graduate admissions requirements, prospective candidates must have the following in order to be officially admitted to this program:
- A teaching certificate that is current at the time of enrollment
- At least three years of teaching experience
- Current employment with an Arizona PreK-12 educational institution that has signed (or will agree to sign) a practicum partnership with AIU
- A supervising practitioner identified†
†Supervising practitioner must possess an Arizona Administrative Certification and a current classification of highly effective or effective pursuant to ARS §§ 15-341(A)(41), 15-189.06.
Licensure Disclosure
AIU has made a determination that this curriculum meets the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following state: AZ.
AIU has made a determination that this curriculum does not meet the state educational requirements for licensure or certification in the following states: AL, AK, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.
Last update 7/1/2024
Courses
Course Name
& Number
Course Number
Credits
Program Core
|
The Educational Leader
MED570
This course introduces PreK-12 educational leadership concepts and behaviors in alignment with state administrative standards. Focus includes the professional behavior and performance appropriate to education administrator/principals through an in-depth study of contemporary leadership issues and leadership theories.
This course introduces PreK-12 educational leadership concepts and behaviors in alignment with state administrative standards. Focus includes the professional behavior and performance appropriate to education administrator/principals through an in-depth study of contemporary leadership issues and leadership theories.
|
MED570 | 4.5 | ||||
|
Educational Standards and Ethics
MED571
The course focuses on topics related to the recognition of differences in various events and issues in education that may call for different actions based on the educator's knowledge of ethical, legal, and regulatory standards and guidelines.
The course focuses on topics related to the recognition of differences in various events and issues in education that may call for different actions based on the educator's knowledge of ethical, legal, and regulatory standards and guidelines.
|
MED571 | 4.5 | ||||
|
Leading Educational Organizations
MED572
This course examines contemporary leadership theory and its applications in current education services as well as workplace learning and performance settings. This course is designed to help education administrators/principals prepare for operational and strategic leadership.
This course examines contemporary leadership theory and its applications in current education services as well as workplace learning and performance settings. This course is designed to help education administrators/principals prepare for operational and strategic leadership.
|
MED572 | 4.5 | ||||
|
Researching School Resources
MED573
This course provides an in-depth examination of effective research practices and resource identification and integration to support educational initiatives. Candidates have the opportunity to examine ways and means to augment learning and teaching resources in the classroom through effective use of both monetary and non-monetary resources. The course introduces applied quantitative and qualitative educational research methods in the context of the practitioner's educational environment.
This course provides an in-depth examination of effective research practices and resource identification and integration to support educational initiatives. Candidates have the opportunity to examine ways and means to augment learning and teaching resources in the classroom through effective use of both monetary and non-monetary resources. The course introduces applied quantitative and qualitative educational research methods in the context of the practitioner's educational environment.
|
MED573 | 4.5 | ||||
|
School Finance
MED574
The course examines the financial management of educational organizations. It provides an overview of financial administration including revenues, expenditures, budgeting, fiscal and fiduciary responsibility, and capital assets.
The course examines the financial management of educational organizations. It provides an overview of financial administration including revenues, expenditures, budgeting, fiscal and fiduciary responsibility, and capital assets.
|
MED574 | 4.5 | ||||
|
Dynamic Educational Leadership
MED575
This course focuses on the interaction of complex educational systems and the ways in which leadership is necessary in defining and encouraging learning and productivity within the organization. The course introduces four ''frames'' of organizational structure: the physical structure itself; the human resources; the political realities that affect an organization; and the cultural factors that influence direction and explores decision processes for success of the enterprise.
This course focuses on the interaction of complex educational systems and the ways in which leadership is necessary in defining and encouraging learning and productivity within the organization. The course introduces four ''frames'' of organizational structure: the physical structure itself; the human resources; the political realities that affect an organization; and the cultural factors that influence direction and explores decision processes for success of the enterprise.
|
MED575 | 4.5 | ||||
|
School Law
MED576
The course introduces issues in education that may call for different actions based on national, regional, and state legal and regulatory guidelines. The course focus includes analysis of human resources compliance, evaluation of workforce regulations, and alignment of national and regional educational laws with state legal and regulatory requirements.
The course introduces issues in education that may call for different actions based on national, regional, and state legal and regulatory guidelines. The course focus includes analysis of human resources compliance, evaluation of workforce regulations, and alignment of national and regional educational laws with state legal and regulatory requirements.
|
MED576 | 4.5 | ||||
|
School Literacy, Assessment, and Evaluation
MED577
This course focuses on the six basic components of literacy instruction; phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing within the K-12 classroom. The course explores the current theories on literacy with focus on practical applications for school leaders.
This course focuses on the six basic components of literacy instruction; phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing within the K-12 classroom. The course explores the current theories on literacy with focus on practical applications for school leaders.
|
MED577 | 4.5 | ||||
|
Education Planning and Development
MED578
This course provides various perspectives of leadership responsibilities in planning and developing new educational programs, products, and services. The focus is on the examination of processes and issues related to change management, including changes involving technology. The course offers an opportunity for candidates to consider how educational leaders introduce and implement new educational programs, products, and services in an organization.
This course provides various perspectives of leadership responsibilities in planning and developing new educational programs, products, and services. The focus is on the examination of processes and issues related to change management, including changes involving technology. The course offers an opportunity for candidates to consider how educational leaders introduce and implement new educational programs, products, and services in an organization.
|
MED578 | 4.5 | ||||
|
Educational Leadership Capstone
MED579
This capstone serves as a cumulative demonstration of mastery of professional educator dispositions and educational PreK-12 leadership competencies. The emphasis will be on completion of final Supervising Practitioner evaluations, completion of 150 hours on-site practicum, successful evaluation by certified administrative faculty, and completion of a professional portfolio in which artifacts reflect mastery of professional administrative standards aligned with state regulatory requirements.
This capstone serves as a cumulative demonstration of mastery of professional educator dispositions and educational PreK-12 leadership competencies. The emphasis will be on completion of final Supervising Practitioner evaluations, completion of 150 hours on-site practicum, successful evaluation by certified administrative faculty, and completion of a professional portfolio in which artifacts reflect mastery of professional administrative standards aligned with state regulatory requirements.
|
MED579 | 4.5 | ||||
| 45 Total Credit Hours | 45 Total Credit Hours | |||||
*Candidates that are approved for transfer credit toward any course in this program or who need to complete outstanding practicum hours for this program will be subsequently scheduled for MED 599 to fulfill the practicum hours requirement of the program.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Design educational content and programming that is appropriate to support learning for diverse audiences, contexts, global perspectives, and cultural responsiveness.
- Justify educational decision-making using educational theories, financial management, and scholarly research practices.
- Adapt advanced, discipline-appropriate professional and research communication skills for personal growth and stakeholder engagement.
- Employ professional dispositions appropriate for educational practice and leadership.
- Implement instructional strategies and technologies to support learning (i.e., eLearning, distance learning, online learning, traditional learning, and hybrid learning).
- Analyze the impact of instructional design methodology and learning theories/sciences (social, emotional, and academic) on stakeholders for effectiveness of interventions and/or educational systems.
- Integrate continuous improvement, learner assessment, technology, eLearning, and evaluation plans based on data analysis.
Classes Overview
-
The Education Leader
This course introduces PreK-12 educational leadership concepts and behaviors in alignment with state administrative standards. Focus includes the professional behavior and performance appropriate to education administrators/principals through an in-depth study of contemporary leadership issues and leadership theories.
-
School Law
The course introduces issues in education that may call for different actions based on national, regional, and state legal, and regulatory guidelines. The course focus includes analysis of human resources compliance, evaluation of workforce regulations, and alignment of national and regional educational laws with state legal and regulatory requirements.
-
School Literacy, Assessment, and Evaluation
This course focuses on the six basic components of literacy instruction; phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing within the K-12 classroom. The course explores the current theories on literacy with focus on practical applications for school leaders.
-
Education Planning and Development
This course provides various perspectives of leadership responsibilities in planning and developing new educational programs, products, and services. The focus is on the examination of processes and issues related to change management, including changes involving technology. The course offers an opportunity for candidates to consider how educational leaders introduce and implement new educational programs, products, and services in an organization.
-
Educational Standards and Ethics
The course focuses on topics related to the recognition of differences in various events and issues in education that may call for different actions based on the educator's knowledge of ethical, legal, and regulatory standards and guidelines.
Course content subject to change.
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FAQ
AIU’s Master of Education (MEd) Leadership of PreK-12 Educational Organizations is structured to help you design, implement, and lead educational initiatives in the PreK-12 educational setting. This degree is designed to help candidates prepare to pursue an Arizona Principal Certification in PreK-12.
In this Master of Education Leadership of PreK-12 Educational Organizations, candidates study a mix of core courses including Educational Ethics and Standards, Dynamic Educational Leadership, School Law, School Literacy, Assessment, and Evaluation. This program is designed to give candidates academic and hands on experience in their work environment while studying and practicing the required skills needed for successful completion. Candidates will explore how to administrate educational content for diverse populations and how to justify design and educational decision-making using administrative approaches, educational theories, school law, financial management, and scholarly research practices. Candidates will also develop approaches to support student and faculty success, assessment of instructional strategies, and the impact of curriculum for effective interventions.
The MEd Leadership of PreK-12 Educational Organizations degree program is offered online and starts every 5 weeks. Completion of the AIU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the AIU application process. You may speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-855-377-1888) or request information online. Once you’ve completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.
The Master’s in Education Leadership of PreK-12 Educational Organizations degree requires a total of 45 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit with provided official transcripts. AIU accepts up to 18 quarter hours of the qualifying credits you need toward your degree.*
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
If you are interested in becoming a certified principal in Arizona then this program is for you. The course content is completely online and your practicum requirement is completed in your current school. Upon successful completion of the program, AIU makes an Institutional Recommendation to the Arizona Department of Education within 45 days of graduation. The program emphasizes academic and administrative theories and approaches to leading diverse organizations with hands-on skills practice. We offer flexible 5-week courses in a curriculum tailored to skills and training utilized in the education industry today. In addition, the program was developed for working adults. Degree candidates can pursue this degree online, allowing the flexibility to study on their own terms and schedules.
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Classes start July 30, 2025
