Modified Educational Leadership

Stetson University’s Modified Educational Leadership program will help you establish the qualifications needed for positions as deans, assistant principals, principals, program directors, instructional coaches and state education-level positions. Our program is built on the application of “theory to practice” and focuses on contemporary content and experiences that result in passing the Florida Educational Leadership Examination.

The difference between our Modified Educational Leadership program and our Master's degree in Educational Leadership is that a previous master's degree already needs to have been obtained to qualify for the Modified program. As a research and competency-based program, the Modified Educational Leadership certification's 19-credit program schedule is designed to fit the work and personal needs of an educational professional. Students that have already earned a master’s degree are still welcome to pursue an additional master’s degree as part of our degree-seeking program.

Program Highlights

Our programs are based on cohort learning. This encourages candidates to build meaningful relationships with their principals, administrators and their peers in each cohort. Students develop knowledge, skills and professional and ethical dispositions to be reflective practitioners, collaborative instructional leaders, facilitative change agents and responders to diversity.

Master's Program of Study

• 180-hour educational leadership internship experience in your school
• Action Research Project
• Skills and knowledge necessary to pass the FELE required for certification as an administrator

Modified Program of Study

• 90-hour educational leadership internship experience in your school
• Skills and knowledge necessary to pass the FELE required for certification as an administrator

Our leading faculty members of the Department of Education are highly regarded among Stetson University students and graduates alike.

Our faculty are always willing to engage with prospective students who are interested in the program. You may request an appointment with a graduate faculty member and our Office of Graduate Admissions will help you confirm the appointment.

• Patrick Coggins, PhD, University of Connecticut
• Glen Epley, PhD, Duke University
• Chris Colwell, Ed.D., University of Central Florida
• Lou Sabina, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
• Rajni Shankar-Brown, PhD, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• Debra Touchton, PhD, University of South Florida, MA

Educational leaders holding a Master's Degree and Principalship Certification typically earn higher salaries than teachers with only a bachelor's degree. Graduates assume the following positions:

• Assistant principals
• Associate superintendents
• Superintendents
• Deans
• Administrators of district-level programs
• State and federal leadership officials
• Academic Coaches
• Assessment and testing coordinators

Educational Leadership Internship

As a part of Stetson University's Educational Leadership graduate program, modified students complete 90 hours of an Educational Leadership internship experience at their school site during two semesters. This experience provides students with receiving hands-on coaching from experienced school administrators and support from Stetson University faculty members.

The Leadership Candidate performs administrative/leadership duties under the supervision of a school-based principal. The internship is a practical learning experience open only to advanced graduate students in Educational Leadership. It is designed for reflective practitioners to bridge the gap between principles and theory and real-world educational leadership experiences.

The internship experience and seminars provide students with an understanding of the Florida Principal Standards and the Competencies of the FELE, required for graduation and state certification.