At a Glance
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
$430
Total Cost*
$15,480
* 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 book and material costs.
Shape your skills while you’re shaping lives.
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:
- Philosophical and psychological learning theories
- Advanced classroom management
- Curriculum development
- Instructional leadership
- Research practices
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.
Is the M.Ed. in Classroom Leadership right for me?
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.
Choose your path
Teacher Leadership
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.
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Virtual Teaching
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.
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15 minutes is all it takes to make the first step in earning your M.Ed.
Online Program Start Dates
Monday, May 10, 2021
Monday, August 30, 2021
Questions?
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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
Palmetto State Teachers Association Members Scholarship
Here’s another nudge to apply: Members of the Palmetto State Teachers Association who enroll in our M.Ed. programs will receive a 10% scholarship toward tuition. All you have to do is complete the scholarship application form and provide proof of your membership.
If you’re receiving other tuition benefits (VA benefits, Military benefits, State and Federal scholarships/grants and Tuition Assistance programs), you can still quality for scholarships covering up to 100% of your tuition expenses.
Earn Endorsements through our M.Ed.
Teacher Leader Endorsement
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.
Endorsements through Elective Courses
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:
- Literacy - Read to Succeed Endorsement
- Learning Disabilities
- Gifted and Talented
- Early Childhood Special Education
Learn more about the M.Ed. elective endorsement courses