Master of Arts (M.a.)
Principal Preparation Program
Concordia University Chicago’s Illinois Principal Preparation Master’s Program prepares education professionals for administrative responsibility within schools. This Master’s in School Leadership with Illinois K-12 Principal Endorsement program is intended to help the students:
- Encourage the success of all students through creating and applying a shared idea of learning and programs which support this learning.
- Advance basic skills in management and leadership of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, well-organized and operative learning environment.
- Work together with staff, boards, students, families, and community members in response to different educational and community interests and needs while mobilizing community resources.
- Demonstrate honesty, fairness and moral behavior to help in the growth of caring and moral school community.
- Comprehend and reply to the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural contexts.
Principal Preparation Program Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree – All applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) – Upon entry of the program, applicants must have and maintain a valid and recent special K-12, special preschool-age 21 or other Illinois approved endorsement, or an applicant may be admitted on a provisional basis if holding a valid and recent teaching license from another state as long as by the end of the second course in the program, the applicant holds a valid and current Illinois PEL to be completely admitted and move forward with the remainder of the program.
- Teaching Experience – Applicants must have two years of teaching experience to start the program; 4 years to obtain licensure.
- Completed Application – Successful completion of the application requirements for the CUC Principal Preparation Program (previously called the Type 75). Your Graduate Information Office representative will walk you through the required steps.
- Endorsement Only Option (30 Credits) – Available to individuals who already hold a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Principal Preparation Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of the K-12 school Principal Preparation coursework.
- Successful completion of the Principal Preparation program’s year-long internship at an Illinois ground-based school.
- Successful completion of the PERA Teacher Evaluation training which is required by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
- Successful completion of the Illinois content tests #195 and #196.
CUC Division of Educational Leadership
The Concordia University Chicago Division of Educational Leadership is at the frontline in providing education professionals with superior, pertinent and current Master’s in Education and Doctoral education programs which improve the leadership of public and private school educators and administrators. Concordia University Chicago is honored to offer K-12 teachers and educators Chicago area cohort locations for our Master’s in Education programs including K-12 School Leadership as well as other Master’s and certification programs. Our programs are approved by Illinois State Board of Education.
Our department advocates for all of our graduate degree applicants and all students in public and private schools. We are moral professionals who provide excellent, relevant and current education for our graduate candidates in leadership. We prepare our students to be K-12 teacher and administrator leaders.
Application for the Illinois Principal Endorsement, previously called the Type 75 certification, is made through the Office of the Registrar following graduation.
Areas of Study
| Course Number | Title | Hours |
| EDL-6120 | Supervision and Improvement of Instruction | 3 |
| EDL-6130 | School Evaluation and Change Process | 3 |
| EDL-6140 | Curriculum and Assessment: Framework for Student Learning | 3 |
| EDL-6230 | School Law and Policies | 3 |
| EDL-6235 | Principal as Resource Manager | 3 |
| EDL-6240 | Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDL-6300 | Ethical Leadership: Models and Practices | 3 |
| EDL-6310 | School, Families and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| RES-6600 | Research in Education | 3 |
| EDL-6993 | Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship I* | 3 |
| EDL-6994 | Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship II* | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours: | 30 |
*Prerequisite: The student must be in the Principal Preparation Program. Students must consult with their Graduate Program Specialist (GPS) advisor before registering for these courses.
*RES 6600 required for students pursuing full MA only.
*Denotes courses conducted in an online format
Capstone Experience
This is a year-long (two consecutive semesters – Fall and Spring) capstone clinical experience offering a variety of appropriate site-based hands-on experiences, including public policy in a diverse setting supervised by University and site personnel. These should be among the final courses in the program (EDL-6993 Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship I and EDL-6994 Illinois Principal Preparation Program: Internship II). Prerequisite: The student must be in the Principal Preparation Program. Students must consult with their Graduate Program Specialist (GPS) before registering for these courses.
NOTE: This is only an introduction of the program. You are responsible to review the Graduate Catalog for program details.
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