MA in Leadership in Teaching

Program Objectives

Through a combination of theory and practice, students develop leadership skills to assist them in team building, decision-making, problem-solving, communicating effectively, and planning and managing change. Courses in pedagogy introduce students to state-of-the-art practices that enable teachers to empower their students to be self-motivated, serious learners. Teachers improve their ability to become critical consumers of education research that explores teaching and learning. They become familiar with computer tools available for planning and instruction, use instruments for assessment and evaluation, and study approaches to curriculum design and course planning.

Students also devote serious study to expanding their intellectual and cultural horizons by means of coursework that focuses on social, cultural, and global dimensions of learning. They enlarge their capacity to identify and analyze challenges facing educators around the world and expand their awareness of and appreciation for differing cultural perspectives. In so doing, they cultivate skills necessary to teach effectively in an increasingly multicultural environment by becoming more aware of the diverse social and cultural contexts within which today's schools function.

Distinctive features of the 36-credit Program of Study include a multidisciplinary foundation, a focus on the professional development of classroom teachers, and scheduling options that include Saturday and evening courses during the school year, as well as intensive day classes during the summer. For students who prefer summer study only, an option is available which will permit degree completion in four consecutive summers.

The entire Program is offered on the Baltimore campus. In addition, some courses are offered at Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, Anne Arundel Community College, and the Eastern Shore Higher Education Center.

Students seeking certification in both initial and advanced Programs need to pass Praxis Core and Praxis II examinations. In place of Praxis Core, or Maryland accepted test score.

Master of Arts in Leadership and Teaching

Curriculum (36 Credits)

Required Courses (18 Credits)

          EDU-543     Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research (3)
          EDU-552     Global Perspectives in Teaching (3)
          EDU-556     Technology for Instruction and Management (3)
          EDU-557     Leadership Seminar I (3)
          EDU-559     Leadership Seminar II (3)
          EDU-567     Learning Theory and Practice (3)

Electives (18 Credits)

          Choose six electives from the following areas:

          Education (including technology and online courses)
          English
          History
          Liberal Arts

The following are area of specialization for the Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching:

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Administration and Supervision

This Administration and Supervision specialization helps transform classroom teachers into school administration leaders. Teachers will develop the ability to communicate, plan for and manage change in today’s dynamic multicultural environment. Certificate Programs also available. 

Curriculum (36 Credits)

Required Courses (30 credits)

          EDU-557     Leadership I (3)
          EDU-567     Learning Theory and Practice (3)
          EDU-543     Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Educational Research (3)
          EDU-544     Educational Assessment (3)
          EDU-556     Technology for Instruction and Management (3)
          EDU-560     Legal Issues for Teachers and Administrators (3)
          EDU-563     Curriculum Development (3)
          EDU-569     Supervision: Empowering Teachers (3)
          EDU-688     Practicum: School Administration and Supervision I (3) 
          EDU-690     Practicum: School Administration and Supervision II (3)

     Select one of the following: (3 credits)

          EDU-577     Internet in Teaching and Learning (3)
          EDU-609     Instructional Toools for Digital Learning (3)
          EDU-665     Digital Game Based Learning and Design (3)

     Select one of the following: (3 credits)

          EDU-552     Global Perspectives in Teaching (3)
          EDU-553     Educational that is Multicultural (3)

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Cultural Proficiency

This Master's program and MHEC-approved certificate is designed to analyze issues and trends promoting equity and excellence for all students in America's Schools. Candidates will critically examine their personal, social belief systems related to education, and learn to facilitate open dialogue about equity and excellence in their schools and school systems as equity leaders. Courses will focus on theoretical frameworks that address meeting the academic, social, and emotional needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students. Culturally relevant pedagogy, critical race theory, intersectionality theory, and language and linguistic acquisition theories will provide the frameworks for the analysis and application of effective pedagogical strategies. Certificate Programs also available.

Curriculum (36 Credits)

Required Courses (36 credits)

          EDUC-510  Introduction to Cultural Proficiency and Educational Equity (3) 
          EDUC-511  Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (3) 
          EDUC-514  Critical Race Theory in Education (3)
          EDU-543    Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research (3) 
          EDU-557    Leadership Seminar I (3) 
          EDU-563    Curriculum Development (3) 
          EDU-567    Learning Theory and Practice (3) 
          EDU-569    Supervision: Empowering Teachers (3) 
          EDU-624    Dialects in American Schools (3) 
          EDU-665    Digital Game-Based Learning and Design (3) 
          EDU-674    Global and International Perspectives in Education (3) 
          EDU-698    Linguistic and Cultural Diversity (3) 

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Digital Technology

Designed to develop technology leaders who are equipped to meet the digital needs of their schools or school system, the Digital Technology Leadership specialization provides opportunities to build practical skills as well as theoretical perspectives on administering an effective and safe technology infrastructure, as well as planning for technology integration and guiding implementation. To meet learners' needs and to embrace innovation, the Program of Study includes a variety of choices. Certificate Programs also available.

Curriculum (36 Credits)

Leadership Core (18 credits)

Technology Core (18 credits)

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Library Media Specialist

Designed to broaden competencies in technology, decision-making, problem-solving and effective communication, the Library Media Specialist specialization prepares teachers to be leaders in the media field and to structure and manage today’s school library environment.

Curriculum (36 Credits)

          EDU-557     Leadership Seminar I (3)
          EDU-567     Learning Theory and Practice (3)
          EDU-543     Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research (3)
          EDU-556     Technology for Instruction and Management (3)
          EDU-575     Information Literacy Resources (3)
          EDU-514     Organization of Information (3)
          EDU-577     Internet in Teaching and Learning (3)
          EDU-524     Adolescent Literature (3)
          EDU-560     Legal Issues for Teachers and Administrators (3)
          EDU-563     Curriculum Development (3)
          EDU-512     School Library Administration I (3)
          EDU-610     School Library Administration II (3)

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Mathematics Instructional Leader, PreK-6 or 4-9

Notre Dame of Maryland University’s specialization of Mathematics Instructional Leader, the first approved in Maryland, prepares elementary and middle school mathematics teachers to be mathematics instructional leaders. The Program of Study is based on national and Common Core State Standards. Certificate programs also available.

Students who have earned a Master's degree and desire to obtain and endorsement as a Mathematics Instructional Leader, Grades PreK - 6 or Grades 4-9, should take the following courses:

Mathematics Instructional Leader, Grades PreK-6

          MAT-541     Number and Operations for Elementary School Educators(3)
          MAT-542     Number and Relationships for Elementary School Educators (3)
          MAT-543     Geometry and Measurement for Elementary School Educators (3)
          MAT-544     Data Analysis and Probability for Elementary School Educators (3)
          MAT-545     Patterns and Algebraic Thinking for Elementary School Educators (3)
          MAT-546     Algebra for Elementary School Educators (3)
          EDU-616     Practicum: Leadership in Mathematics Education (3)
          EDU-567     Learning Theory and Practice (3)
          EDU-583     Special Topics in Mathematics Education (3)
          EDU-557     Leadership Seminar I (3)
          EDU-543     Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Education Research (3)

Mathematics Instructional Leader, Grades 4-9

          MAT-501      Number and Operations (3)
          MAT-503      Fundamentals of Algebra (3)
          MAT-507      Algebraic Functions (3)
          MAT-521      Measurement and Geometry (3)
          MAT-531      Data Analysis and Statistics (3)
          MAT-532      Probability and Simulations (3)
          MAT-533      Calculus (3)
          EDU-557      Leadership Seminar I (3)
          EDU-567      Learning Theory and Practice (3)
          EDU-583      Special Topics in Mathematics Education (3)
          EDU-543      Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Education Research (3)
          EDU-616      Practicum: Leadership in Mathematics Education (3) 

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Literacy Specialist/Coach (Reading Specialist)

The Literacy Specialist/Coach (Reading Specialist) specialization is designed for elementary and secondary certified teachers who want to expand their knowledge of literacy theory and practices to become literacy leaders in K-12 settings.

Certificate programs also available.

Curriculum (36 Credits)

Required Courses (33 credits)

          
          EDU-542     Instruction in Reading (required for secondary teachers) (3) OR 
                 EDU-551     Teaching Reading and Writing in Content Area II (required for elementary teachers) (3)
          EDU-543     Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Educational Research (3)
          EDU-556     Technology for Instruction and Management (3)
          EDU-557     Leadership Seminar I (3)
          EDU-567     Learning Theory and Practice (3)
          EDU-586     Techniques of Teaching Reading and Writing to Students with Limited English Proficiency (3)
          EDU-612     Remedial Reading Instruction for Classroom and Clinical Settings (3)
          EDU-618     Resource Role of the Reading Specialist (3)
          EDU-629     The Roles of the Literacy Coach (3)
          EDU-691     Practicum: Application of Remediation in a Clinical Setting (3)
             

Electives (3 Credits)

          Prerequisites - Elementary:

          EDU-509     Processes and Acquisition of Reading (3)
          EDU-510     Elementary Reading Materials (3)
          EDU-511     Assessment of Reading (3)
          EDU-542     Instruction of reading (3)

          Prerequisites - Secondary:

          EDU-580     Teaching Reading and Writing in Content Areas I (3)
          EDU-551     Teaching Reading and Writing in Content Areas II (3)

Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Spanish

The Master of Arts in Leadership in Teaching: Spanish specialization offers a foundation at the graduate level in Hispanic linguistics and literature while deepening the classroom teacher’s understanding of the interrelated nature of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture within today’s global society. 

Curriculum (36 Credits)

Required Courses (30 credits)

          EDU-557  Leadership Seminar I (3)
          EDU-567  Learning Theory and Practice (3)
          EDU-543  Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Educational Research (3)
          EDU-544  Educational Assessment (3)
          LSP-503   Spanish and Technology (3)
          LSP-560   Advanced Oral Communication in Spanish (3)
          LSP-528   Spanish Linguistics (3)
          LSP-530   Perspectives on Spanish as a World Language (3)
          LSP-559   Contemporary Hispanic World (3)
          LSP-501   Advanced Methods of Teaching Spanish (3)

Elective Courses (6 credits)

          LSP-501    Topics in Spanish: Magical Realism (3)
          LSP-501    Topics in Spanish: Hispanic Women’s Voices in Film and Literature (3)
          LSP-510    Survey of Masterpieces of Latin American Literature (3)
          LSP-522    Survey of masterpieces in Peninsular Literature (3)
          LSP-524    Survey of the Spanish Novel (3)
          LSP-526    Hispanic Women Writers (3)
          LSP-532    Contemporary Spain: Literature and the Arts (3)
          LSP-542    Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean: Literature and the Arts (3)