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Educators have to be prepared for change — pandemics and technological advancements can occur without warning, and students’ needs and learning styles and societal expectations are constantly evolving. Schools need strong leaders who can adapt to an ever-changing environment while continuing to deliver quality education. The University of Central Missouri’s Educational Leadership EdS - School Leader: Grades K–12 degree program prepares leaders for a strong future.

With more than 200 UCM graduates in educational leadership roles in the state of Missouri, you may have already witnessed what a UCM Educational Leadership degree looks like in action — we value caring, service and excellence above all. If you’re ready to take on a leadership role, we’ll help you get there with the quality principal education requirements you need.

Earn your degree when and where you want it

We offer a flexible graduate program, so you can take courses to earn your Education Specialist degree at our Warrensburg or Lee’s Summit campuses, partially online or at a partnering school district in the Kansas City area. You can choose to learn Â鶹ԭ´´ your peers over a two-year period or go at your own pace by combining on-campus and online courses.

What you will study

UCM’s Educational Leadership degree for K–12 school leaders is designed for educators who already have a master’s degree but want to deepen their knowledge and skills. As a graduate student, you’ll build on your existing knowledge with coursework that covers a wide scope of leadership competencies, including finance, law, curriculum, data analysis, administration and supervision.

Throughout the graduate program, you’ll work with a mentor to observe, participate and facilitate school management and improvement roles. You’ll continue to work in your current position while broadening your impact in your school community.

What can you do with an Educational Leadership degree from UCM?

When you earn your degree in Educational Leadership from UCM you’re demonstrating your commitment to creating a positive and effective learning environment while gaining the credentials you need to advance your career in a leadership position. Our EdS degree for K–12 school leaders provides the coursework required by the state to apply for certification for school administration once a performance assessment and content test have been successfully completed.

Graduates of this program can apply to a wide variety of leadership roles — including lead teacher, instructional coach or a central office position. If you plan to pursue a terminal degree, our EdS will equip you for advanced education and a successful future in school leadership.