Educational Leadership
Degree: Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (Non-Licensure)Total Credit Hours: 36
Tuition: $475 per credit hour
Cohort Format: One in-person session per week
Program Length: 2 years
Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Education Leadership prepares leaders to strengthen schools, nonprofits, ministries, and other learning-centered organizations. This non-licensure degree is designed for professionals who want to lead educational programs, support learners, improve organizational culture, and guide meaningful change without pursuing a teaching or administrative license. Coursework emphasizes leadership, ethics, student support, community engagement, decision-making, and practical approaches to building healthy learning environments.
Courses for Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
MEL 501 - Foundations of Christian Leadership Identity (3 credit hours)
This foundational course establishes the theological, philosophical, and personal basis for Christian leadership in educational and organizational contexts. Students explore the biblical foundations of servant leadership, examine their own leadership identity, calling, and character, and develop a personal leadership philosophy grounded in Christian formation. Topics include leadership identity, calling and vocation, character formation, spiritual disciplines for leaders, and the integration of faith and professional practice in educational settings. Required text includes McGee — Reimagining Learning: The Power of Triple Loop Leadership.
MEL 510 - Leadership & Formation in Education Systems (3 credit hours)
This course examines leadership theory and practice within the unique context of educational organizations — including K–12 schools, higher education institutions, and learning-focused nonprofits. Students analyze how educational systems function, how leaders influence culture and outcomes, and how Christian formation shapes leadership identity in complex institutional environments. Topics include educational leadership theory, instructional leadership, equity-focused leadership, systems change in education, and the formation of leader identity within academic communities.
MEL 520 - Organizational Culture & Staff Development (3 credit hours)
This course develops students' capacity to build and sustain healthy organizational cultures and invest in the professional growth of educators and staff. Students examine the relationship between culture, retention, and organizational outcomes, and develop practical skills for leading professional learning, coaching staff, and building trust-based teams. Topics include organizational culture in educational settings, professional learning communities, instructional coaching, staff retention and wellbeing, and leading through difficult personnel dynamics.
MEL 590 - Applied Improvement Project I (3 credit hours)
The first of two applied learning experiences in the MEL program, this course challenges students to identify a real organizational challenge within an educational or learning-sector context and design a structured improvement response. Under the supervision of their Cohort Mentor and course faculty, students develop and begin implementing an applied improvement initiative, document their process, and present preliminary findings to their cohort. This course integrates learning from Term 1 coursework and applies improvement science principles to a real organizational site or context.
MEL 530 - Data-Informed Leadership (3 credit hours)
This course introduces students to improvement science as a framework for systematic, evidence-based organizational change in educational settings. Students develop the ability to use data to identify problems, test solutions, and measure improvement over time. Topics include the Carnegie Foundation's improvement science model, Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles, data literacy for leaders, equity-centered data use, and building a culture of continuous improvement within organizations.
MEL 540 - Communication, Conflict & Collaboration in Education (3 credit hours)
This course develops students' communication and conflict navigation skills within the specific relational and structural dynamics of educational organizations. Students examine how communication patterns shape culture, how conflict arises and can be addressed constructively, and how collaborative structures can strengthen teams and improve outcomes. Topics include communication theory in organizations, difficult conversations in educational settings, facilitation skills, collaborative problem-solving, and building cultures of psychological safety. Required text includes McGee — Reimagining Learning: The Power of Triple Loop Leadership.
MEL 550 - Strategic Leadership for Learning Organizations (3 credit hours)
This course develops students' capacity to lead organizational strategy, program design, and systems-level change within educational and learning-sector organizations. Students learn to assess organizational context, develop strategic improvement plans, and align people and resources toward shared goals. Topics include strategic planning in education, program evaluation, resource alignment, stakeholder engagement, and leading change in complex educational environments.
MEL 610 - Research Foundations for Practitioners (3 credit hours)
This course introduces students to research methods and evidence-based practice as tools for educational leadership. Students develop the ability to read and evaluate scholarly literature, design basic practitioner inquiry projects, and apply research findings to real-world improvement challenges. Topics include research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, literature review, action research in educational settings, and the use of evidence in organizational decision-making. This course also serves as preparation for students pursuing the EdD through the 5-Year Pathway.
MEL 620 - Leadership Integration Seminar (3 credit hours)
This capstone seminar facilitates the integration of learning across the MEL program. Students reflect on their leadership growth, revisit their personal leadership philosophy, and prepare for the final Applied Improvement Project. The seminar format includes peer dialogue, case study analysis from educational and nonprofit contexts, guest practitioners, and structured reflection. Students develop a comprehensive Leadership Portfolio documenting their formation, competencies, and vision for continued impact in educational systems.
MEL 690 - MEL Capstone: Applied Improvement Project II (6 credit hours)
The culminating experience of the MEL program, this course requires students to design, implement, and evaluate a significant applied improvement project within a real educational or learning-sector organizational context. The project must demonstrate mastery of MEL program competencies, application of improvement science and research-informed practice, and measurable organizational impact. Students present their completed project to a faculty panel and cohort audience, and submit a written report suitable for professional or scholarly dissemination. Successful completion of this course is required for graduation.
Why choose Education Leadership? This graduate program gives students the opportunity to strengthen their leadership capacity in schools, nonprofits, ministries, higher education, workforce development, and other learning-centered organizations. Because the Master of Arts in Education Leadership is a non-licensure degree, it is designed for professionals who want to lead programs, support learners, improve organizational culture, and guide meaningful change without pursuing a teaching or administrative license.
Instructional Coach
Curriculum Specialist
Director of Programs or Learning
Student Affairs Director
Academic Program Coordinator
Training and Development Manager
School Improvement Specialist
Educational Consultant
Faith-Based Education Program Director
Community Learning Director
Education Policy or Advocacy Specialist
Nonprofit Program Director
Career Opportunities
