A Principal Preparation/Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program that connects you with school leaders from across Kentucky – on day one
Do you aspire to become a principal/school leader who leads positive transformation of the learning experience in schools? Our five-semester, 30-credit hour program meets Level I and Level II principal certification requirements and leads to either a Masters in Education (M.Ed.) or an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree.
Ambitious leaders across Kentucky enroll in our principal preparation program because they aspire to lead positive transformation of the learning experience in schools. With our faculty as your guide, you work in small groups with your cohort and, from home, complete weekly graduate coursework online. As part of the program, you also have the opportunity to attend the Next Generation Leadership Academy at no additional cost. Academy days offer the chance to learn and interact with school leaders from across the state. There are a total of seven Academy days per year, with two of these days scheduled during the summer before your begin your coursework.
What is the Next Generation Leadership Academy?
The Next Generation Leadership Academy is often referred to as a foundation for innovative educational work, a social network, and a catalyst for change. It is within the environment of the academy that school leaders find a time, place and network of innovative colleagues with whom they can think about the futures of their communities and how they can improve their schools to meet evolving needs. Seventy-five districts in Kentucky have taken part in the academy, with new districts joining each year.
Educational innovations are taking place across the nation. Schools (and their leaders) must be nimble. You will develop an understanding of leadership for current and emerging issues: technology shifts, economic uncertainty, safety concerns and global challenges.
Schools are busy, fast-paced environments. Teachers and leaders are busy keeping up with a lengthy list of expectations already in place. The Next Generation Leadership Academy team helps school leaders develop plans to respond to current and emerging needs, moving beyond the status quo.
Next Generation Leadership Academy schools and districts across the Commonwealth are supporting one another as they prototype new approaches to ensure that every child and youth experience deeper, more personalized learning that will prepare them to be successful.
The Academy Year
Twelve graduate credit hours will be earned in your first year, with optional participation in the Next Generation Leadership Academy. Faculty mentors ensure a personalized experience while interweaving course content with the nine deeper learning and equity of opportunity structures that form the foundation of the Next Generation Leadership Academy.
After Your Academy Year
Once you have completed your first 12 graduate hours in your Academy year, the remaining 18 hours required for principal certification will be earned via synchronous online sessions delivered by UK faculty.
The course sequence is structured to allow you to begin in the fall semester (August) to complete Level 1 certification by December of the following year (approximately 16 months). See the curriculum plan for the principal program in the chart below.
Diverse learning experiences across the program prepare teachers to serve as a:
- Principal
- Assistant principal
- Administrative dean
- Academic dean
- Instructional coach
- District leader (various positions)
We are available to help during your application process.
Questions About the Application Form, Checking for Completeness, Uploading Materials
- Melissa McCaughan, Student Affairs Officer, melissa.mccaughan@uky.edu
Questions About the Programs, Materials or Qualifications Related to the Application, or Entrance to the Programs
- Lu Young: lu.young@uky.edu
Academics
Year 1 | ||
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Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
Principal Certification/Degree/Rank Change
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Deeper Learning Instructional Coach/Non-Admin/Degree/Rank Change
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Year 2 | ||
Fall |
Spring |
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Principal Certification/Degree/Rank Change
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Deeper Learning Instructional Coach/Non-Admin/Degree/Rank Change
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Our Program Experience
Skills in Leading School Transformation Through the Next Gen Leadership Academy |
High-Quality Online Courses with Nationally Respected Professors |
Relevant, Authentic Problems of Practice in School Contexts |
We value:
Leadership…
Our program prepares teachers to assume formal roles (e.g., department chair, grade-level team leader, technology coordinator) or informal roles (e.g., instructional model, peer mentor) and lead from within and beyond the classroom.
Collaboration…
Because collective leadership by administrators and teachers is essential for successful 21st century schools, our program emphasizes developing interpersonal relationships and interdependence to achieve shared visions and goals.
Community…
Because teacher leaders build organizational capacity through their shared instructional leadership and collegial support for sustainable change efforts, our program is delivered through cohorts that function as communities of practice.
Renewal…
Our program develops requisite knowledge and skills teachers need to foster learning-centered leadership and conduct action research while simultaneously engaged in individualized professional development.
Authenticity…
All courses integrate individual and group learning, field-based activities and virtual class meetings, and research and reflection to assure relevance and applicability.
Achievement…
Students evidence their learning through creation and oral defense of their unique electronic portfolios.
Admissions
Test-Free Policy
GRE scores are not required for admission to programs in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies.
The test-free admission policy applies to all graduate certificate, master’s degree, education specialist, and doctoral programs in the department.
We recognize the challenges prospective students experience because of the inequities these tests perpetuate. The Department of Educational Leadership Studies is able to evaluate applicants for admission without the use of test scores through non-test factors that honor the spectrum of experiences our applicants have. A test-free policy is one part of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (read more about that here).
In 2017 we announced this policy for our master’s and education specialist degrees and for our graduate certificates. In March 2021, we announced that this policy is being extended to our doctoral programs.
You must meet the admission requirements established by the UK Graduate School and by the Department of Educational Leadership Studies. Additional information about admissions to the University of Kentucky Graduate School is posted at http://gradschool.uky.edu/application-process#Recommendation.
All Applicants |
To be eligible for admission to this graduate program, you must:
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Kentucky Candidates |
To earn a Principal Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Kentucky you must:
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Application Documents |
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International Teachers |
If your native language is not English, you must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score.
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Kentucky rank change is also governed by EPSB. For more information see: http://www.epsb.ky.gov/mod/page/view.php?id=101
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
Detailed information about the application process can be found at https://education.uky.edu/edl/admissions/.
How long is the program?
The Principal Education Specialist (Ed.S.) program consists of 10 courses spread out over a period of 21 months.
What is the cost of the program?
For information regarding current program cost please refer to the UK Graduate Tuition and Fees page.
How can I get more information about this program?
Application Questions
- Justin Bathon: justin.bathon@uky.edu
Program Questions
- Lu Young: lu.young@uky.edu
Feel free to use the form at bottom of this page to submit any questions you may have!
What degree is earned at the end of this program?
Upon completion of the appropriate courses, you will have a Principal Education Specialist (Ed.S) degree.
What are your refund policies?
You can find tuition refund policies, deadlines, amounts, and other important information on the UK Student Account Services website.
State Authorization and Licensure
If you plan to complete a University of Kentucky online program while living outside of Kentucky, you should check the Out-of-State Students page to determine if the University of Kentucky is authorized to provide this program in your state of residence. If you plan to use the degree to seek licensure, you should also determine if the degree meets the educational requirements for licensure in your state.