Master of Education in PK-12 Educational Leadership
Program Overview
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in PK–12 Educational Leadership at Newberry College prepares licensed educators to become effective, ethical, and student-centered school leaders. Aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), the program develops expertise in instructional leadership, school improvement, organizational management, educational law, data-informed decision-making, and community engagement. Through flexible online coursework and a supervised internship with experienced school administrators, candidates apply leadership theory in authentic school settings. Field-based experiences include school improvement initiatives, instructional coaching, professional learning communities, budgeting, personnel management, and community partnerships. Graduates are prepared to lead diverse learning communities, support teacher growth, improve student achievement, and serve successfully as educational leaders.
Admission Requirements
Individuals seeking admission to a Newberry College graduate program must meet the following minimal requirements:
- Provide official transcripts from an accredited degree-granting university or college demonstrating completion of a bachelor's degree.
- Students must have earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (as recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation)
- Students must have a minimum, cumulative college GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale OR 3.0 or higher during the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. The GPA requirement is waived for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher for an earned graduate degree.
- Applicants with a lower GPA may be reviewed for admissions consideration by the Associate Vice President for Online and Graduate Programs and the Senior Director of Online and Graduate Admissions.
Admission to the program does not guarantee eligibility for South Carolina principal licensure, which is subject to all applicable South Carolina Department of Education requirements.
Learning Path
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in PK–12 Educational Leadership consists of 30 total credit hours. Students complete all 30 credit hours within the major. A grade of C or higher is required in each course to remain in good standing and satisfy program requirements.
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in PK–12 Educational Leadership at Newberry College is designed to align with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and South Carolina principal preparation requirements. Newberry College is currently seeking South Carolina State Board of Education Approval. At this time, the program has not yet received final approval from the Board of Education as a principal preparation program and does not currently lead to South Carolina principal licensure. Upon receipt of final approval, the program is expected to qualify subsequent graduates to meet the educational requirements for South Carolina principal licensure.
Required Courses:
- EDU 515 Foundations of Educational Leadership & Vision Development
- EDU 525 Leadership: Collaboration, Mentoring, and Professional Learning Communities
- EDU 531 Assessment, Data Analysis, and Educational Research
- EDU 545 Curriculum and Instructional Leadership
- EDU 555 Equity-Centered and Culturally Responsive Leadership
- EDU 556 Family and Community Engagement in Education
- EDU 558 Ethical Leadership, School Law, and Professional Norms
- EDU 562 School Operations, Finance, and Resource Management
- EDU 565 Human Resource Leadership and Talent Development
EDU 568 or EDU 570
- EDU 568 Practicum in Leadership and Instructional Improvement
- EDU 570 Professional Seminar: The Integrative Professional Practice Capstone
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition Rate: $575 per credit hour
Included Fees / Costs:
- Application fee — No fee to apply
- Student Services fees — included in tuition
- Course Resource fee —included in tuition
- Testing fees — included in tuition
Other Expenses:
- Enrollment fee — $100
- Books and Supplies — varies by course; approx $100-$300 per course
- Technology fee — $50 per subterm
- Transcript fees (for transferring schools) —varies by institution; typically $20-$30 per school
Financial Aid and Grants:
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is encouraged
- Newberry College school code: 003440
Career Possibilities
Graduates may pursue positions including:
- Assistant Principal*
- Curriculum Director
- District-Level Administrator
- Director of Student Services or Special Programs
- Instructional Coordinator
- Principal (Elementary, Middle, or High School)*
* Completion of the program does not guarantee eligibility for South Carolina principal licensure, which is subject to all applicable South Carolina Department of Education requirements.
