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Online Master's of Education in Classroom Leadership

Home : Academics : School of Education : Online Master's of Education in Classroom Leadership

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.

"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.

State Requirement Disclaimer

Southern Wesleyan does not advise students on what will or will not be accepted by their state departments of education. Students are encouraged to contact their state department of education 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. Southern Wesleyan is currently investigating the process for the Master in Classroom Leadership becoming approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.)

Apply Online in 15 Minutes:

Apply Now

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 23, 2021

Questions?
Get in touch to learn more.

Have questions? We can help. Fill out the form above, and we’ll reach out to you. Don’t worry, we won’t share your info with anyone else.

Best Online Master's in Educational Leadership
Named one of the Best Online Master's in Educational Leadership Degree Programs by Affordable Colleges Online

Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Degrees
Named one of the Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Degrees by topmastersineducation.com

 

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

Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Read more about accreditation.

 

* 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.

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.

View Courses (PDF)

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.

View Courses (PDF)

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

Request Information

877-644-5557

Apply Today

Admission Requirements for Master of Education in Classroom Leadership

  • Submission of a completed application
  • $25 application fee
  • Valid teaching certificate from the State of South Carolina or equivalent out-of-state certification.
  • Current employment as a teacher such that the teacher’s classroom can serve as a “laboratory” for the completion of course requirements.
  • Two recommendations from persons qualified to judge the applicant's moral character, professional expertise, and capacity for graduate-level work. One recommendation must be from School Administrator.
  • Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate course work or on the final 60 hours of undergraduate course work. (If less than 3.0, student must have satisfactory scores on the GRE and/or approval of the Graduate Admissions Committee.)
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work
  • Applicants for whom English is a second language, applicant must submit an official TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper test), 213 (computer test) or equivalent evidence of proficiency in English.

Have questions? We can help. Connect with an admissions representative at 877-644-5557 or  .

Notice of Nondiscrimination

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:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Sexual Misconduct Policy (Title IX)

State Requirement Disclaimer

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.)

 

SWU SCHOOL of EDUCATION