Educational Administration
The Morgridge College of Education is proud to be one of the first colleges in the nation to offer certificate, master's and doctoral degrees with a P-12 focus, preparing qualified individuals to be courageous, visionary, and transformative leaders in education. Specific program offerings include academic certificates in Early Childhood Leadership and principal licensure, a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Educational Administration, and a PhD in Educational Administration. Credits completed in the Educational Administration certificate programs may, under certain circumstances, be applied toward either the PhD or the Master's in Educational Administration.
Ahead of the curve
The Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program is an academic certificate program and master's concentration option, targeted to meet the needs of experienced and emerging administrators in early care and education settings. The program's vision is to promote quality in the early care and education system in Colorado by identifying, nurturing, and building leadership capacity in existing and future early childhood leaders. This program, fully-funded by the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation in 2007, admits a cohort of 20 each year.
The Weekend School Executive Principal Preparation Program, or WSEPP, has been in existence at the University of Denver for a quarter of a century and remains highly regarded by both the state and the regional educational communities. It is an ambitious and intensive learning experience, designed to meet the academic needs of individuals who hold a current professional educator's license and are interested in becoming elementary or secondary school principals. A one-year program, WSEPP classes are offered on the DU campus and in Colorado Springs.
Unique District Partnerships
Educational Administration also offers unique principal preparation programs that are designed in partnership with local school districts. Currently, Denver Public Schools, Adams Twelve Five-Star, and the Aurora Public Schools have joined with Morgridge to offer the Ritchie Program for School Leaders to the employees in the Adams and Denver districts, and the Aurora Public Schools Leadership Academy to Aurora personnel. All of the principal certificate programs meet state principal licensure requirements and are approved by the Colorado Department of Education.
Degree programs
The MA in Educational Administration prepares students to assume leadership roles in early care, elementary, and secondary educational settings. The MA coursework is a continuation of all coursework required in one of the Principal Preparation Programs or in the Early Childhood Leadership Program. Master's students select one of three possible concentrations: Related Studies, Business Administration, or Early Childhood Leadership.
The Educational Administration PhD, comprised of 90-credit hours of coursework and the successful defense of a dissertation, is an applied research degree for those who are interested in leadership and curriculum. Coursework includes quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistics, leadership, school reform, and curriculum. These areas are studied in an effort to expand and enhance research skills and understanding of the challenges facing leaders in today's schools, which when added to a blend of foundation and cognate courses, will aid students in their professional and academic careers.
To speak to someone about the Educational Administration Program Certificate, MA or PhD, please call or email our Admissions Office at 303-871-2509 or 1-800-835-1607, edinfo@du.edu.