The master of educational leadership program at Rocky Mountain College is designed to prepare educational leaders for careers as principals or superintendents. This cohortbased program incorporates state and national standards for educational leadership and is based on Effective School Research. Blending theory and practice through coursework and intensive internship, candidates will be prepared to be instructional leaders at the K-12 level. The program is 34 credits in length depending on previous coursework and has a minimal residency requirement. Graduates of this program will meet the educational requirements for licensure as a principal or superintendent. Candidates should check with the Office of Public Instruction for other licensure requirements.

Required courses:
EDL500 Foundations of Leadership
EDL505 Dimensions of Leadership I
EDL510 Dimensions of Leadership II
EDL520 Supervision of Educational Personnel
EDL530 Public School Law
EDL554 Public School Finance
EDL560 Organizational Change
EDL570 School Curriculum
EDL575 Public School and Community Relationships
EDL590 Leadership Seminar I
EDL591 Administrative Practicum I
EDL683 Educational Leadership Capstone
EDL690 Leadership Seminar II
EDL691 Administrative Practicum II

EDL500 - Foundations of Leadership

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 2
The focus of this course is on public school education, past, present and future. Course content will include exploration of the roles of federal, state, and local governance systems as they pertain to leadership roles in public education. No Child Left Behind legislation will be discussed and analyzed from the perspective of the building or district leader. In addition, participants will be introduced to the process of creating a school ethnography, and exploring the school culture, climate, and dynamics from the perspective of a school as a social organization. This experiential course invites class participation, team building and group activities, role-playing, guest lecturers, and group dynamics.

EDL505 - Dimensions of Leadership I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
The focus of this course is on the roles and responsibilities of K-12 school administrators including leadership styles and behaviors. Additionally, the influence leadership has on the overall operation of a school building will be explored. Participants will discuss such topics as defining school climate and culture, sustaining partnerships and building collegial teams, and sharing leadership.

EDL510 - Dimensions of Leadership II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
The focus of this course is to build on the knowledge and understanding of how leadership influences instruction and teacher practice. Participants will explore the leadership skills required to nurture instructional improvement in schools.

EDL520 - Supervision of Educational Personnel

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
The focus of this course is on improving, coordinating, and evaluating modern trends of supervisory practice. Students will evaluate and develop instruments for use in the formative and summative evaluation of teaching, as well as for support roles within the school environment. Participants will explore best practice instructional models from which to base the evaluation instrument or process. Participants will become familiar with the evaluation process as it pertains to marginal staff. Students will be required to recommend specific staff development options aligned to improvement of instruction.

EDL530 - Public School Law

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course will study the legal framework of public education (Constitutional law, case law and Montana law) with emphases on Montana and national legislation and case law pertaining to public education and the rights of board members, administrators, students, and parents.

EDL554 - Public School Finance

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
This course will focus on the development of educational budgets within the confines of available revenue. Taxation, policy analysis, applicable case law, and reporting will be covered.

EDL560 - Organizational Change

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
The focus of this course is on topics such as the theory of management, communication, human relations, social systems, motivation, decision-making, and change. A particular focus in this course is on the role of the building administrator in improving student achievement in a school reform effort. Practical application of analyzing school data followed by program intervention will be explored. Participants will explore how today's leaders must create and nurture a culture of collaboration, collegiality, and continuous improvement.

EDL570 - School Curriculum

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 3
The focus of this course is on the role of leadership in curriculum planning and development with topics including educational and cultural foundations, curricular outcomes, K-12 alignment, standards and community values, developing, managing, and evaluating curriculum, multicultural education, equal access, differentiated instruction, academic freedom, technology, scheduling, censorship, and curriculum associated with various student populations.

EDL575 - Public School and Community Relationships

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 3
This course will focus on the interdependence of school and community; identifying and defining societal expectation of schools and the effects of those expectations on educational policy; impact of social, political, economic, and demographic changes on public school policy.

EDL590 - Leadership Seminar I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 1
The focus of this course will be reflection and inquiry regarding the administrative practicum. Problem-solving and best practices will be a component of this course. Discussions will evolve around the ISLLC, ELCC, and PEPP standards. Initial development of the administrative portfolio will be completed during this course.
Co-requisite: EDL 591

EDL591 - Administrative Practicum I

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 2
A directed internship experience designed to relate theories and concepts explored in coursework to educational settings is the primary focus of the field experience. Practical application of theories will be implemented in fieldwork.
Co-requisite: EDL 590

EDL592 - Leadership Seminar III

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 1
The focus of this course will be reflection and inquiry regarding the administrative practicum. Problem-solving and best practices will be a component of this course. Discussions will evolve around the ISLLC, ELCC, and PEPP standards. Initial development of the administrative portfolio will be completed during this course.

EDL593 - Administrative Practicum III

Semester: Fall
Semester hours: 2
A directed internship experience designed to relate theories and concepts explored in coursework to educational settings is the primary focus of the field experience. Practical application of theories will be implemented in fieldwork.

EDL683 - Educational Leadership Capstone

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 2
This course will be the culminating experience for students in the educational leadership program. A comprehensive review of material covered as well as an exit interview will be components of this experience. Theories and principles of advanced leadership practiced in educational settings will be explored within the context of the overall program.

EDL690 - Leadership Seminar II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 1
This course is a continuation of EDL590 and will focus on problem-solving and best practices in the administrative practicum. Practical application of theories will be implemented in fieldwork. Discussions will evolve around the ISLLC, ELCC and PEPP standards. Initial development of the administrative portfolio will be completed during this course. Continued review and development of the school ethnography will be a part of the seminar.
Co-requisite: EDL 691

EDL691 - Administrative Practicum II

Semester: Spring
Semester hours: 2
A directed internship experience designed to relate theories and concepts explored in coursework to educational settings are the primary focus of the field experience. Practical application of theories will be implemented in fieldwork.
Co-requisite: EDL 690