The following are all required teacher leadership courses in the School of Education. Courses are three credits each.

EDUC 622 The Role of Literacy Across the Content Areas
Explores contributions of literacy research for content learning (e.g., math, science, social studies, and language arts). Underscores benefits of linking reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing for acquisition of content area knowledge. Provides instructional frameworks for supporting student learning from texts.

EDUC 735 Data-Based Decision Making & Assessment
Prepares aspiring leaders to understand, manage and use data for student assessment, instructional planning and school improvement.

EDUC 772 Understanding Teacher Leadership
Promotes understanding of education standards and self as a leader. Familiarizes candidates with existing literature and research base for teacher leadership.

EDUC 773 Action Research
Explores the major tenets of action research and prepares candidates to conduct school-based and classroom-based action research and communicate findings of research to multiple stakeholders.

EDUC 775 Foundational Skills in a Standards Based Curriculum
Prepares teacher-leaders with the foundational skills needed to interpret changing educational standards and to design curriculum and instruction that is aligned with these standards.

EDUC 777 Fostering Technology-Based Collaboration
Explores ways for teacher leaders to use technology to promote collegial environments that focus on continuous improvement of instruction and student learning.

EDUC 720 Teacher Leadership in Education Policy
Supports the development of teacher leaders to understand, influence, and implement educational policy in their schools. Focuses on key issues in educational policy, with emphasis on the policy process, politics of education, and policy implementation.

EDUC 774 Designing Professional Development
Contributes to the understanding of professional development and impact on student learning. Supports monitoring and assessment of professional development impact.

EDUC 768 Coaching Teachers
Prepares future teacher leaders to provide formative support for teachers. Examines outside-the classroom coaching contexts (voluntary study groups and grade-level team meetings) and addresses inside-the-classroom interactions, including school-wide walk-throughs and one-on-one coaching with preconference, targeted observation, and post-conference.

EDUC 776 Promoting Equitable Schools
Explores how schooling structures, practices and policies produce or resist educational equity for diverse families, cultures and communities. Identifies challenges and opportunities at the classroom and school-wide levels to engage families and communities in efforts to provide equitable opportunities and outcomes for all students.

Course Schedule

The online teacher leadership courses are 7 weeks long, with 5 terms offered per calendar year (Fall A, Fall B, Spring A, Spring B, and Summer). Students typically start the program in Fall A, Spring A or Summer, but can begin in any of the terms offered throughout the year.

Course Sequence

The University of Delaware requires all students enrolling in the online master of education in teacher leadership to meet the following standard requirements:

• Baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate degree
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Current employment as a teacher
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• A minimum TOEFL score of 100; minimum IELTS of 7.0

All courses will be delivered completely online and will be asynchronous, meaning that you can log on any time to complete course requirements and “attend” lectures.

There is a growing demand across the nation for skilled teacher leaders. Obtaining a graduate degree from a leading research university will prepare you to take on greater responsibility, share your understanding of new standards and best practices, and become a guiding force in your school.

The University of Delaware prides itself on being at the forefront of teaching and innovation. This proven academic approach extends to the curriculum of our online master of education in teacher leadership. It brings together expert faculty, experiential learning and the flexible access only online learning offers.

As an educational professional, you’ll find our online format provides you with a practical, convenient way to advance your skills while still maintaining your busy career schedule.

Our online platform promotes interactive, collaborative and active learning through:

• On-Demand Video Resources: Learn from faculty and your fellow students by accessing video resources and collaboration tools at any time, on your phone, tablet or computer
• Interactive Assignments: Engage in learning through active participation in learning exercises
• Learning communities: Collaborate with student colleagues and faculty through discussion forums and a variety of easy-to-use learning technologies designed to empower peer learning
• Application: Bridge the gap between research and application by applying the latest research to your school or district context
• Technical Support: Rely on IT support, available 24 hours a day, every day, from the moment you enroll until the day you graduate

Students in our online M.Ed. in teacher leadership can also take advantage of many of the support services provided to UD on-campus students. Upon graduation, you are even invited to participate in our commencement ceremony.

Learn how to lead from the classroom, influence your colleagues and affect change in your school.

We recognize that teachers give a lot to their students and schools and that finances are a big factor in deciding to pursue a graduate degree.

The tuition for the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program is charged reduced rate compared to the University’s base graduate tuition rate.  Students who are enrolled (i.e., applied and offered admission) in the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program will receive this rate, regardless of their state of residency or location of employment. Visit UD’s graduate tuition page for CEHD programs for the rate for this academic year.

Delaware residents and Delaware educators who are not enrolled in the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program but who want to take a course would qualify for the Delaware Educator Scholarships offered by the College of Education and Human Development.

With a graduate degree in teacher leadership from the University of Delaware, you can become an active participant in a powerful movement and a force for positive change in our nation’s education system.

Recognizing the need for school leaders who can address issues in schools and districts is of critical importance to our national education system. Teacher leadership is a role that has become a crucial part of building strong, successful schools and rewarding teaching careers at a time when principals and administrators find themselves stretched thin.

The Master of Education in Teacher Leadership from UD will prepare you with the knowledge and best practices to make a difference in your teaching career and have a real impact on your students and peers. The program is aligned with the objectives of state teacher leader initiatives around the country. As a graduate, you will be qualified to fill important roles within your school or district, including:

• Department chair
• Instructional specialist/coach
• Instructional practice lead
• Instructional culture lead
• Data coach
• Curriculum specialist/coordinator
• Teacher mentor
• Digital content lead
• Community liaison

To learn more about how the online M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership program can help you have an even greater impact in your career, fill out the form to the right.

Five terms (Fall A, Fall B, Spring A, Spring B, or Summer) are offered per calendar year. Students typically start the program in Fall A, Spring A or Summer, but can begin in any of the terms offered throughout the year.

The online teacher leadership graduate program does not require students to participate in any on-campus activities or residencies. Students are welcome to attend any on-campus events of interest, including career fairs, recruiting opportunities and graduation ceremonies.

Visit UD’s graduate tuition page for CEHD programs for the rate for this academic year.

For information on filing deadlines, eligibility, and how to file a FAFSA, visit the University of Delaware’s Student Financial Services page.

The Personal Statement must cover the following three topics:

1. Outline your short-term and long-term career goals and discuss how an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership relates to them.
2. The M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership teaches candidates to lead from the classroom. Describe a problem in your professional setting that typifies an issue you would like to pursue as a teacher leader and why you think it is important to address.
3. The M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership is delivered 100% online. It requires students to be self-initiated learners and excellent time-managers. Describe how you plan to manage your time so you are able to fulfill your course requirements.

The course content is all web-based using the Canvas learning management system. You must have a strong Internet connection and a modern browser on a computer that is both camera and microphone enabled. We highly recommend updating to the newest version of the browser you are using as well as the most up-to-date Flash plug-in. Canvas is best viewed at a minimum of 1024×600, which is the average size of a notebook computer. Compatible operating systems include Windows XP SP3 and newer, Mac OSX 10.6 and newer and Linux chromeOS.

All candidates for the online teacher leadership graduate program must be currently employed as a teacher in public school, private school, preschool, higher education, and/or home schooling.

No; however, it does prepare you to take on a more influential role within your school system.

UD’s College of Education and Human Development is accredited with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education and is aligned with the National Teacher Leadership Standards and Middle States Commission on Higher Education.