Educational Leadership Department

John Matt, Chairman, Educational Leadership

The Educational Leadership knowledge base emphasizes the realities of the workplace, blending practical tasks with the conceptual models of effective leadership. The model uses leadership assessment and problem-based learning throughout nine curricular strands: change/future, leadership, research community, communication, assessment/program evaluation, management, diversity, curriculum, and professionalism/socialization. Students at both degree levels experience integrated coursework, performance-based assessment, and exit interviews on completion of the degree programs.

Programs: The M.Ed., Ed.S., Administrative Licensure, and Ed.D. are offered in education administration and supervision. Information regarding specific requirements and program options is available from the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences. For more information, please refer to the University of Montana Graduate Programs and Admissions Catalog.  Graduate programs are accredited by The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and The Montana Board of Public Education (BPE).

Admission to Educational Leadership: The Program Admissions Committee has established policies and standards for admission which include the GRE (verbal and quantitative); three letters of recommendation (one from an immediate supervisor); official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework; qualifying examination; and interviews (doctoral). Contact the Department for details.

Certification Requirements: Education Leadership degree and administrative licensure programs lead to Montana Class 3 Administrative Licensure with either a K-12 Principal or Superintendent endorsement. Please note that in addition to the coursework and degree requirements, the State of Montana also requires licensed teaching, school counseling, or administrative experience for the Class 3 license.

Courses (Check master schedule for availability of all courses)

R- before the course description indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.

Department Faculty

Professor

  • Bill McCaw, Professor

Associate Professor

  • Patty Kero, Associate Professor
  • John Matt, Department Chair / Associate Professor
  • Frances O'Reilly, Associate Professor

Assistant Professor

  • Dan Lee, Assistant Professor

Course Descriptions

Educational Leadership

  • EDLD 295 - Special Topics in Ed Amin

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors.Offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  • EDLD 495 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

  • EDLD 502 - Philosophy of Education

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I 502. Major philosophical schools of thought and leading proponents of each.  Concepts of society, the educative process, and the role of education. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 512 - Educational Futures

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Predicting and projecting the near and more distant future of education.  The changing place and nature of education and leadership in tomorrow's society. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 519 - Analysis of Ed Data

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Explanation and practice in measurement and statistical analysis of educational data.  Preparation in measurement and statistical analysis for educational research. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 520 - Educational Research

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I and HHP 520. An understanding of basic quantitative and qualitative research methodology and terminology, particularly as they are used in studies presented in the professional literature. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 540 - Higher Education Finance

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Overview of how colleges and universities make financial and budgetary decisions; current trends in state and federal policy related to finance; contemporary problems in finance of education. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 542 - The College Student

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Survey of today’s college student including discussion of demographics, student development theories, learning theories, and contemporary issues on college campuses related to college students. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 544 - The College Curriculum

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Historical and contemporary development of college and university curriculum.  Includes overview of pedagogical strategies, assessment, evaluation, and curricular change. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 546 - Fed & State Higher Ed Pol

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Overview of policies at the local, state, and national levels that affect the conduct of higher education; current trends in higher education policy; changes in educational policy; how policies affect different institutional types. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 550 - Found Educational Leadersh

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Basic functions of K-12 administration and supervision and how contemporary views have evolved; models of leadership style and practice compared; responsibilities and relationships of school boards and chief school officers. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 551 - Found Curric Leadership

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. The history and theoretical bases of current K-12 curriculum and instructional leadership. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 552 - Sup Eval Pub Sch Educators

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Conflicting views and models of supervision; supervision in relation to administration and evaluation. Development of instruments for the formative and summative evaluation of teaching and their use in simulated cases. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 554 - School Law

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Key Montana and national legislation regarding public education. Landmark cases of the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal, regional, and state courts as they affect the operation of public schools and the rights of school board members, administrators, teachers, students, and parents. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 556 - Finance of Publ Education

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Revenue sources for K-12 public schools; proper expenditures; Montana's foundation program and related legislation; major court cases and how they have affected ways of funding schools; developing effective school and district budgets. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 559 - School Pub Rel-Prins

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Investigation of the appropriate leadership and management roles of the modern school principal as they relate to public relations.  Understanding of political theory as it relates to developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external publics. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 567 - K-12 Leadership

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Examination of the roles responsibilities, and relationships of educators relative to management and leadership considerations at all levels of the educational organization (elementary, middle, secondary, and central office). Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 568 - K-12 Curriculum

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Major aspects of curriculum related to the duties and responsibilities of school administrators.  Issues related to the development, review and evaluation o curriculum.  Exploration of issues related to selected instructional models and practices; school improvement. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 581 - Plng & Mgmt For Tech In Edu

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I 581. Creating, implementing, maintaining, and evaluating technology plans for educational institutions, including budgets, facilities, and hardware planning. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 583 - Strategic Plng For Tech

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I 583. Leadership and strategic planning processes for technology integration within schools. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 585 - Fieldwork Ed Admin & Super

    Credits: 2 TO 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Fieldwork at the school level (when the student is not completing an internship), with the cooperation of the principal and under the guidance of a University of Montana professor. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 594 - Seminar

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Group analysis of problems in specific areas of education. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 595 - Special Topics

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 596 - Independent Study

    Credits: 1 TO 6. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Consent of instructor. Course material appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 597 - Research

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-10) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Consent of instructor. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the back ground and objectives of the student. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 598 - Internship

    Credits: 1 TO 12. (R-10) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Consent of instructor. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 599 - Professional Paper

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Consent of instructor. Preparation of a professional paper appropriate to the needs and objectives of the individual student. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 618 - Educational Statistics

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I 618. Advanced statistical methods and use of the mainframe computer and microcomputer for data analysis.  Use of a recognized statistical package for research applications. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 620 - Qualitative Research

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I 620. In-depth review of qualitative research methods, designs, and approaches. The development of a research proposal. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 625 - Quantitative Research

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Same as C&I 625. Principles and technique of quantitative research in educational settings. Students prepare a draft of a research proposal and experience an abbreviated dissertation proposal defense. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 653 - School Personnel Admin

    Credits: 3. Prepreq., consent of instructor required. Administration of classified and certificated school employees; personnel-related laws, functions, and decisions; unions, bargaining contracts, grievances, etc. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 656 - The Economics of Education

    Credits: 3. Prepreq., consent of instructor required. School finance from a national perspective; alternative budgeting and school-revenue models; equity considerations. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 657 - Facil Plng/Schl Bus Func

    Credits: 3. Prepreq., consent of instructor required. Working with architects, school personnel, and others on educationally and financially sound plans for new and remodeled facilities; the school business official's responsibilities regarding buildings and grounds, maintenance and custodial services, transportation, food services, and the administration of classified personnel. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 658 - School Pub Rel-Supts

    Credits: 3. Prepreq., consent of instructor required. Enhancing site- and district-level internal and external relations; conducting needs assessments, inservice workshops, and funding campaigns; improving administrators' writing, listening, and speaking skills; composing press releases and newsletters; working with the media. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 660 - Adult Continuing Education

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Adult learning theory and the special needs and motivations of adult learners in postsecondary institutions; principles and practices of administering postsecondary continuing education programs. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 662 - History of Higher Educ

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Survey of the historical roots of higher education from world and comparative perspectives; examination of the historic and contemporary missions, organizational structures, governance, and administration of various types of postsecondary and higher education institutions in America and abroad. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 664 - The Community College

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. The organization and administration of American postsecondary education in two-year collegiate institutions; current trends in governance, finance, curriculum, faculty and students. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 667 - American College Professor

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Investigation of the prevailing curriculum and instruction in American undergraduate and graduate education and consideration of reform reports. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 668 - College & University Admin

    Credits: 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Administration of college and university programs, departments, and schools; the roles of program director or coordinator, department chairperson, dean, vice president, provost, president, chancellor, and commissioner. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 670 - Best Practices in IPL

    Credits: 3. Students explore the field of International Programs at the college or university level and seek current best practices. This course is designed to give students an understanding of the leadership and management activities required of leaders in the field of international programs. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 672 - Itnl Prog Dev

    Credits: 3. This course prepares professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to develop programs, seek external funding, and write proposals to support student and professional exchanges, study abroad, ESL and intensive language programs, internships, student services, partnership agreements, and other education and training activities in the international field. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 673 - Lead./Cultures

    Credits: 3. The course introduces a methodology to support the emerging field of international and comparative educational leadership and management and is instrumental for students of educational leadership and management. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 674 - Internship in College Tchg

    Credits: 1 TO 3. Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Provides an opportunity for guided and supervised teaching at the college level and assistance to the aspiring college teacher in meeting the needs of a diverse student population; assistance provided in methods of teaching at the college level, theories of learning, use of technology, and evaluation and assessment techniques. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 676 - Internship Higher Ed Admin

    Credits: 1 TO 3. (R-6) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Supervised and guided work in an administrative unit/department at the college/university level. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 677 - Globalization in Education

    Credits: 3. Course explores globalization of education from the perspective of International Programs at the post-secondary level. This course is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in the field of International Programs and other related fields. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 678 - Cultural Proficiency

    Credits: 3. Course explores the area of cultural proficiency through a variety of lenses. Students use interviews and self-reflection to develop a framework for understanding cultural issues and ethical approaches cultural issues. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 679 - Linguistic Diversity

    Credits: 3. Course explores policy issues related to linguistic diversity. This course is designed to help students develop a framework of global issues as they relate to, and are impacted by, linguistic diversity. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 680 - Pol./Int.l Ed.

    Credits: 3. Course explores political issues related to International Programs. This course is designed to prepare students for the dynamic nature of political arena surrounding the development and implementation of postsecondary International Programs. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 681 - Comp. Int.l Ed.

    Credits: 3. Course explores the field of international programs at the college or university level through a study of comparative education. This course is designed to familiarize students with the similarities and differences between educational systems across the globe. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 682 - Cross-Cultural Competence

    Credits: 3. Blending both the practical and theoretical, this course offers you the requisite knowledge, the appropriate motivations, and the relevant skills to function competently with culturally-different others. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 683 - Int.l Persp.

    Credits: 3. This course primarily focuses on international students sharing their perspectives (including international academics and experienced practitioners). Topics include adaptation challenges, and the role that international students and faculty play in broader internationalization and diversity agendas within US higher education. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 694 - Adv Sem: Ed Admin/Superv

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 697 - Adv Research Ed Ad Super

    Credits: 1 TO 9. (R-9) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. Directed individual research and study appropriate to the back ground and objectives of the student. Level: Graduate

  • EDLD 699 - Prof Sem/Dissertation

    Credits: 1 TO 12. (R-12) Open to graduate level students in Education Leadership, Counseling or Curriculum and Instruction majors. A review and discussion of current research. Topics vary. Level: Graduate