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Master's Programs
Educational Specialist in Leadership for Educational Organizations, Principal (License)
School of Education & Human Development
Overview
Degree: EdS License
Classroom Type: Online and on campus classes
Designed for individuals whose next career goal is to become a school principal. It is well-suited for individuals who already have a master's degree plus a teaching license or a master's degree with a special services license. Graduates receive the skills critical to success as a leader and to encourage diversity, equity, and social justice at elementary, middle, or high schools.
Application​ deadlines
Rolling Admission
Program Details
Interest Categories: Education & Counseling
Campus: CU Denver Online
What you'll learn
CU Denver’s EdS in Leadership for Educational Organizations with principal licensure is designed for individuals who wish to become school principals. Our program curriculum is designed to build your knowledge, skills and dispositions as a powerful and successful leader.
CU Denver prepares you with the wide breadth of knowledge necessary to create a school learning environment that is cooperative, safe, welcoming and reflects a growth mind-set. You will learn how to:
- Collaborate across communities and stakeholder groups
- Become well-versed in current educational issues and how to address them, and
- Gain a deep understanding of the legal, financial and political dimensions of schools and school districts.
You’ll learn all of this with a focus on equity and social justice, ensuring that all students have equal opportunities for an excellent education.
There has never been a more important time to have great leadership in public schools. The demands of the job require personalized instructional development with practitioners and successful leaders. There are multiple options below for you to enroll and complete the 41-credit hour Leadership for Educational Organizations (LEOs) Principal Licensure program.
While earning the principal license, students will be placed in cohorts. Typically, cohorts are comprised of 25 principal candidates who move through the four-semester principal licensure program together. We welcome applicants from all districts into our principal licensure cohorts. However, we partner with metro-area districts to prepare leaders specifically for their schools.
Choose CU Denver's School of Education & Human Development
You can trust CU Denver to provide an education that will prepare you for excellence in your career as a school principal. We have a name that is recognized for preparing leaders of excellence who value equal opportunities in education. Additionally, CU Denver’s School of Education and Human Development is counted among U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools,” making us one of the top education schools in the country.
Courses
The 32 credit hour principal license is offered in four consecutive semesters. The additional nine credit hours for the EdS (for a total of 41 credit hours) are taken after the principal licensure coursework. Program content and clinical practice experiences are integrated throughout. Principal candidates generally use their own school as a clinical-practice site. Program credits are organized in four learning domains as outlined below.
Principal Licensure Courses
EDUC 5751: Principal/Administrator Licensing I
EDUC 5752: Principal/Administrator Licensing II
EDUC 5753: Principal/Administrator Licensing III
EDUC 5754: Principal/Administrator Licensing IV
Additional nine credits for the EdS Degree
Please consult with your faculty advisor when selecting these courses.
The LEO program requires a capstone final presentation, as well as the placement of major assignments on an electronic, web-based data management service.
Upcoming Cohorts
Spring 2025 Jeffco Cohort
- Applications accepted through November 15, 2024
- In-person instruction
- Classes take place January 2025 - May 2026
- Register for an info session
Spring 2025 Boulder Northern Metro Cohort
- Applications accepted through November 15, 2024
- Hybrid instruction
- Classes take place January 2025 through April 2026
- Register for an info session
Summer 2025 Distance Learning Cohort #27
- Remote four-semester cohort with synchronous meetings through zoom
- Three daytime zoom meetings in Summer 2025 (Wednesday 6/4, Thursday 6/5, Friday 6/6)
- Two weekends in Fall 2025 (Friday evening 9/12, Saturday daytime 9/13, Friday evening 12/5, and Saturday daytime 12/6)
- Two weekends in Spring 2026 (Friday evening 2/6, Saturday daytime 2/7, Friday evening 4/10, and Saturday daytime 4/11)
- One morning in Summer 2026 (Friday 7/10)
Sample Courses
- EDUC 7100 - Leadership in Education 3 credits
- EDUC 7230 - Organizational Performance In Educational Contexts 3 credits
- EDUC 7500 - Strategic Human Capital Development 3 credits
- EDUC 7510 - Strategic Organizational Management 3 credits
Recommended Completion Time:2 to 3 years
Required Credits for Completion:41
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
We practice "rolling admission" and after your application is complete, we strive to notify you of your admission status in no more than two to three weeks.
The following deadlines are firm, early submissions are encouraged.
Fall Semester: June 30
Spring Semester: November 1
Summer Semester: April 30
Application Requirements
- 2 recommendation letters
- Official Transcripts from all institutions attended
- If applying for an endorsement, proof of teaching license or special services license is required
- Resume/CV
- Written Statement: Describe your interest in the program, your special strengths, and the goals you hope to achieve through your work in the program
- $50.00 application fee
- International Applicants only: Proof of English Language Proficiency (International applicants should review the following information regarding English language proficiency)
Admissions Interview: An interview may be required as part of the admissions process. If so, applicants will be contacted with more details.
For more information, email education@ucdenver.edu or call 303-315-6300.
Additional Information
The LEO program seeks students who possess:
- High intellectual ability
- Strong academic backgrounds
- Clear leadership potential.
The EdS requires a completed master’s degree for admission plus a teaching or special services license. We also recommend a minimum of three years of licensed professional experience. The Colorado Department of Education requires three years of licensed teaching or special services experience for an initial principal license.