Are you interested in learning more about educational leadership degrees in Delaware? A graduate program in educational leadership can lead to a career as a school or college administrator, curriculum specialist, academic department director, school board chair, education nonprofit and advocacy, or corporate trainer. The state of Delaware offers five degree programs in educational leadership at four different schools, three of which are doctoral programs as well as two master’s programs. If you are interested in career path in educational leadership, begin by getting a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, or a related field. This graduate degree offers a great deal of flexibility as well as the power to truly influence the nation’s educational landscape. Read on to learn more about educational leadership degrees in Delaware.

Delaware State University

Featured Programs

College of Education, Health, and Public Policy

The College of Education, Health, and Public Policy at Delaware State University offers both a master’s and doctoral degree in educational leadership. Programs at the college are designed to build leaders and shape policy in these critical areas for public-well-being, both in Delaware, nationally, and throughout the world. In the Department of Education within the College, students get hands-on experience in classrooms throughout the state that have partnered specifically with the University for these educational initiatives. The Department is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Delaware State University is one of the top ten historically black colleges and universities as ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership

The Master’s program in educational leadership prepares students for careers at the state, local, and national levels. In addition to leading and managing schools, the courses in this program allow students to pursue careers in educational policy, curriculum development, program assessment, research, and independent consulting. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for certification as a school leader and/or administrator. The master’s degree entails 33 graduate credit hours that can be completed over a two year period, and culminates in a capstone project that incorporates an internship and independent, original action research.

Doctorate in Educational Leadership

The doctoral program in educational leadership entails 55 credit hours capped by the writing and defense of an original dissertation. The program is structured with an accelerated weekend class format to fit the needs of busy working professionals who are already established within the education field. The program integrates real-world field experience, and graduate students are paired with a mentor with whom they complete a six-credit internship in their subject area of interest; potential research areas including leading school change, strategic school planning, school improvement, and/or action research. The program is designed to meet the State of Delaware certification requirements for School Leader II (Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent).

Contact
Department of Education
EH Building, Room 100
1200 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 857-6720
Dr. Rayton Sianjina, Chair & Director – Graduate Studies
rsianjina@desu.edu
Master’s
Doctorate

University of Delaware

School of Education

Graduate programs in the School of Education at the University of Delaware are ranked 30th in the entire nation by U.S. News and World Report, and the University itself is ranked among the top 100 public schools in the country. The 61 faculty members comprise a body of internationally-renowned research, with more than $12 million in research grants from such institutions as Institutes of Education Sciences, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and the State of Delaware Department of Education. The School also holds twelve separate state and national accreditations, including accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Association for Education Communications and Technology (AECT), and Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).

Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

This doctoral program is designed to provide professionals in the field of education with the tools they need to make strategic decisions that affect the lives of students and their educational futures. The 27-credit core curriculum includes classes in educational improvement and evidence-based decision making. The program also includes 16 elective credits so that students can pursue their individual research interests within the educational leadership field, including classes in Evaluation, Measurement and Statistics; Learning Sciences; Literacy Development and Learning Problems; Mathematics Education; School Psychology; and Sociocultural and Community-Based Approaches to Education. Students who are already in K-12 leadership positions can earn Delaware administrative certification (School Leader Licensure I and II).

Contact
School of Education
113 Willard Hall Education Building
Newark, DE 19716
Phone: (302) 831-8695
Program Coordinator Dr. Joan Buttram
jbuttram@udel.edu
Website

Wesley College

Wesley College was founded as a preparatory school in 1873 in conjunction with the United Methodist Church and currently resides on 50 acres in Dover, Delaware. It is ranked as one of the top 50 regional colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report. The College’s 2,500 students benefit from a personal approach to learning, as the College has a student/faculty ratio of 17:1. Wesley is an independent liberal arts and science college accredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In keeping with its Methodist traditions, Wesley’s mission is to provide higher education that hinges on justice, compassion, inclusion and social responsibility.

Master of Arts in Education Curriculum and Instruction&

This graduate degree is designed for those who want to specialize in curriculum development for grades K-12; for that reason, the primary candidate for this program is someone who is already certified as an elementary or secondary school teacher. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge needed to be an effective teacher as determined by CAEP and INTASC standards, as well as the use of action research in an educational setting. The first half of the program focuses on classroom study while the second half is research and classroom based in conjunction with an advisor.

Contact
Wesley College
120 North State Street
Dover, Delaware 19901
Phone: 302.736.2300
B. Patricia Patterson, Graduate Program Director
b.patricia.patterson(at)wesley.edu
Website

Wilmington University

College of Education

More Delaware teachers graduate from Wilmington University’s College of Education than any other institution, and the University is also the only center in Delaware for the national Teach for America program. In fact, 40 percent of Delaware educators have completed coursework or certificates from Wilmington University. The College has a vision of preparing educators who serve as professional partners in learning for students and parents, and a mission to translate educational theory into effective practice. The College is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and by the Delaware Department of Education.

Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

This program prepares future educational leaders by training them to translate educational research and theory into policy and practice in academic institutions nationwide. The program can be completed in three years with classes once a week and/or an online/in-person coursework hybrid. The program features three components: a core program of 27 credit hours emphasizing Curriculum/Instruction and Supervision/Administration; 12 credit hours of coursework; and nine credit hours encompassing a dissertation on an original research topic. Those who complete the program are eligible for school superintendent certification in the state of Delaware.

Contact
Wilmington University
320 N. DuPont Hwy
New Castle, DE 19720
(877) 967-5464
infocenter@wilmu.edu
Website

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in educational leadership are one of the fastest growing professions in the United States. Postsecondary administration jobs are projected to grow by 15 percent over the next 10 years, or 23,500 new positions. Those who work as postsecondary administrators or in a related position make an average of $86,490 per year, and principals and superintendents make an average of $87,760. Educational leadership is an excellent choice if you want to make a difference in the lives of students by influencing education policy and research. Contact these individual schools directly for more information on educational leadership degrees in Delaware.