Urban Education Leadership, M.Ed., (EC-Grade 12)

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Includes Preparation for Principal Certification

The M.Ed. in Urban Educational Leadership, also known as the Aspiring Leaders Program, is designed to prepare candidates for leadership positions in urban schools. The program is designed to take a competency and experiential approach to educational leadership that emphasizes the unique and complex challenges leaders face in urban schools. This highly selective program seeks candidates who are committed to increasing social equity through public education.

Benefits of the program include preparation for Texas Principal Certification, practical experience with an emphasis on action learning, a second-year residency on an urban campus (in partnership with Teaching Trust), mentoring supported by a successful school leader and an emphasis on organizational leadership featuring experienced practitioners. Substantial scholarship support for virtually all students ensures the affordability of this program. Because scholarship availability is significant, a contract of commitment to work a specified amount of time in select urban school districts is required of candidates for acceptance into the program.

Program Structure. This 36-hour degree program is designed for working professionals and can be completed in two years (including two summer sessions). Students take courses in a prescribed sequence. During the fall and spring academic terms, classes usually meet on Saturdays. Note: Some classes meet all day in the summer sessions. Candidates for Principal Certification in the state of Texas must meet all state requirements, including taking and passing the TExES Principal 268 exam and 368 Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL).

The Aspiring Leaders Program is a cohort program with a tightly structured and integrated design. Courses taken outside the degree are generally not accepted for transfer.

Degree Requirements

Core Content Courses

Total: 24 Credit Hours

Field Courses

EPL 6255 - Field Studies (three times)
EPL 6395 - Urban School Residency (two times)

Total: 12 Credit Hours

Degree Total: 36 Credit Hours

Admission Requirements

Admission is based on the following criteria; any exceptions to these requirements must have the approval of the academic adviser and department chair:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.

2. A minimum cumulative undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) grade point average of 2.500* (on a 4.000 scale)

3. For applicants with a GPA below 2.500, GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores within the last five years are required. Please use the institution code 6660.

4. Copy of valid Texas teacher certification

5. Copy of service record reflecting two years teaching experience in an accredited public, private or charter school

6. Applicants with a degree from countries where the predominant language is not English are required to supply scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service. The minimum scores for admission speaking 24, listening/reading 22, and writing 21. Employed by a partner district/charter management organization.

7. Employed by a partner district/charter management organization.

8. Commitment to being a school leader. All participants commit to serving in a partner district for one year beyond graduation.

9. Essays (four prompts will be provided in the application).

10. Official copies of all graduate and undergraduate transcripts where a degree has been conferred or you have received 9 or more credit hours.*

Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradappmaterials@smu.edu

Paper transcripts should be sent to:
Graduate Application Processing
PO Box 518

* calculated in accordance with current TEA guidelines. Simmons reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission should any misrepresentation occur.

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