Develop your leadership skills and grow your education career. Explore our programs below designed for aspiring administrators who want to become a Principal or become a Superintendent. Structured for working professionals, coursework for licensure can be completed in 18-24 months.*
The Drake University’s Masters of Science in Leadership Development (MSLD) program is designed to serve emerging and aspiring leaders in business, industry, and non-profit organizations who are interested in developing their leadership ability or developing the leadership capacity in others.
Join other working professionals, from different industries and disciplines, in an interactive and collaborative learning environment.
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the Master of Science in Educational Leadership program is an excellent choice.
The program prepares teachers for a variety of leadership positions, including principals, associate/assistant principals, activities/athletic director, deans of students, curriculum coordinators or Area Education Agency consultants. Drake's reputation for quality extends across the state of Iowa, where nearly 70 percent of school districts have at least one administrator who holds a Drake degree.
The Specialist in Education program is ideal for individuals who have completed a master’s degree and are interested in additional expertise in literacy, English Language Learner, or STEM research and instruction.
For educators ready to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers a Specialist in Education degree. Educational professionals that have already received a master’s degree in education can pursue superintendent licensure through this program. Drake’s Ed Specialist program offers rich clinical experiences with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework.
Courses in the EdD general program emphasize the practical study of leadership, theory, ethics, technology, program evaluation, and research methodologies. Drake’s program is adaptable to a number of leadership-level careers. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in weekend formats, so you can continue to work full time. The cohort program can be completed in as little as three years (two years of coursework listed below, with one year or more to complete a dissertation or capstone project).
Unique to the EdD degree is the option of pursuing and completing a capstone project in place of a dissertation. The capstone project provides an opportunity for the EdD candidate to design and complete a significant summative project that focuses on addressing a problem of practice within the student’s professional community.
For educators with a master’s degree planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers an Ed.D in Principal Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. EdD students have the option of completing a dissertation or a capstone project. Unique to the EdD degree, the capstone project provides an opportunity for the EdD candidate to design and complete a significant summative project that focuses on addressing a problem of practice within the student’s professional community. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers an Ed.D in Superintendent Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. EdD students have the option of completing a dissertation or a capstone project. Unique to the EdD degree, the capstone project provides an opportunity for the EdD candidate to design and complete a significant summative project that focuses on addressing a problem of practice within the student’s professional community. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.
For educators with a master’s degree planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers a PhD in Principal Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. PhD students are required to complete a dissertation. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.
For educators planning to take the next step in their careers, the School of Education offers a PhD in Principal Licensure. This program enable doctoral students to become exemplary leaders within the field of education. Developed for working professionals, courses are held in a weekend format so you can continue to work full time.
The rich clinical experiences are central to the program, with multiple hands-on experiences embedded throughout the licensure coursework. Students take two courses each semester and programs can be completed in as little as three years. PhD students are required to complete a dissertation. Coursework for licensure can be completed within two years and students can apply for their license while continuing to complete the requirements for the doctoral degree.