Program Credit Hours
36 credits
Course Length
7 weeks per course
Average Completion Time
20 months (not including electives)
Program Format
Online
Cost per credit hour
$450
Total Cost*
$16,200
* Total Cost (cost per credit hour x total credit hours) is provided to aid in program comparison only. All stated financial information is subject to change. Total Cost does not include fees, book or material costs.
Want to advance your career as an educator? Interested in growing your skills and your income? Get ready to do all of that and make a bigger difference in your students’ lives with an online Master of Education in Classroom Leadership. Customize your master's degree with a specialization in either Teacher Leadership or Virtual Teaching!
Better yet—you can do it all online, so you don’t have to uproot your career to advance it.
With our online MEDCL program, you’ll gain real, hands-on experience of concepts you’ll use every day in your classroom:
Plus, our faculty gets it. They’ve been there. It’s not easy balancing work, family and school—but this community is here for you.
Great question. Consider enrolling in the MEDCL program if you currently have a bachelor’s degree in education, hold a state certification and want a Master’s, but need a flexible, supportive program.
Sound good? Apply today.
The Teacher Leadership specialization includes four courses with in the M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership (MEDCL). The specialization in Teacher Leadership offers unique learning outcomes and field experiences that will prepare you to maximize your effectiveness as a Teacher Leader with ease and flexibility. In addition, it affords opportunities for endorsements, certificate renewal, and professional development in a faith-filled virtual environment. Get ready to make a difference in your students’ lives with this specialization.
The Virtual Teaching specialization includes four courses within the M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership program needed to earn a South Carolina endorsement in online teaching. These courses provide hands-on tools and strategies for leveraging digital approaches to learning regardless of the environment. The coursework equips you with the ability to integrate technology-enhanced practices in your face-to-face classroom or be prepared for fully online instruction. The coursework emphasizes a Christian ethic of care – focused on providing digitally equitable and accessible solutions for students.
This degree was just what I was looking for. Everything is online and the content I am learning is useful and allows growth for the future.
—Staci Ulichnie, M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership
The faculty and staff of Southern Wesleyan University are passionate professionals who provide a quality of service that is Christ-centered and student-focused. I would not have been able to advance without my degrees from SWU.
—Jeffery Gaines, 2017-18 District Teacher of the Year for Clarendon School District Two
The three courses and observational experience required for the Teacher Leader endorsement are built into the M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership program (EDCL 5373, EDCL 5183, EDCL 5493). Learn more about on page 27 of this Certification Guidelines document from the SC Department of Education.
In South Carolina, the primary choice available to teachers for leadership is the administration and supervision certification. Many excellent South Carolina teachers do not want to serve as principals or superintendents but want to remain involved in teaching while they serve in a leadership capacity. The Teacher Leader endorsement helps to fill this void in leadership options for South Carolina teachers.
This endorsement was approved by the legislature effective June 26, 2015. The coursework and training prepares educators to serve in leadership roles in schools while remaining classroom teachers. SWU’s School of Education facilitated the development of this endorsement and formed a stakeholder group charged with identifying recommended coursework, practical and observational experiences, and content delivery options for the endorsement.
The Teacher Leader endorsement focuses on providing assistance to practicing teachers in becoming leaders who are trained and equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to mentor and coach colleagues. Additionally, they will be able to effectively and efficiently lead school-based teams in setting goals to achieve results; problem solving to find solutions; professional development to meet teaching and learning needs; collaborative professional development to guide learning communities; building school capacity to focus on student outcomes; and interpreting data to impact student performance. Teacher Leaders will develop an understanding of current evaluation models in order to lead and assist peers in strengthening and augmenting their teaching performance with the overarching goal of maximizing student engagement in learning.
Elective coursework in our M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership program can assist education professionals as they seek to enhance their professional training. Completion of electives could lead to content area endorsements such as:
Learn more about the M.Ed. elective endorsement courses
Named one of the Best Online Master's in Educational Leadership Degree Programs by Affordable Colleges Online
Named one of the Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Degrees by topmastersineducation.com
Admission Requirements for Master of Education in Classroom Leadership
Have questions? We can help. Connect with an admissions representative at 864-644-5550 or .
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972 and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Southern Wesleyan University does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. The university reserves its right to operate as a church-related institution and to develop policies consistent with the religious tenets of its sponsoring denomination, The Wesleyan Church. Additional information related to SWU’s non-discrimination policies include:
Notice of Nondiscrimination
Southern Wesleyan does not advise students on what will or will not be accepted by the South Carolina Department of Education. Students are encouraged to contact SCDOE to ensure the degree offered by Southern Wesleyan University meets state requirements. Additionally, Southern Wesleyan cannot determine credentials for individuals desiring to teach at the collegiate level as this varies by accreditor and is based on each individual's collegiate credit history.
(For those students who hold a Georgia teacher certification, Georgia has implemented new guidelines for the pay upgrade for the Master degree. At this time, Southern Wesleyan University’s M. Ed. in Classroom Leadership will not lead to an upgrade. This is because our program major does not meet the in-field or new field upgrade requirement. Individuals that desire to complete advanced degree programs in the transitional fields of Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Technology and Teacher Leadership must meet the new field upgrade criteria. Please access this PDF for more information.)
Commencement ceremonies are held on SWU’s campus twice a year in May and December. Online graduates who complete their degree program of study at the conclusion of the summer semester will have their degrees conferred at the December graduation. Letters of completion are available to graduates who wish to confirm to their employers that they have completed their degree program upon request through the Office of Academic Records (
). We look forward to celebrating with you soon!
Online Student Graduation
