George Mason University – Education Leadership, Independent School Leadership Concentration (M.Ed.)
The M.Ed. in education leadership with a concentration in independent school leadership is a 30-credit hour program offered entirely online. The independent school leadership concentration is a non-licensure path within the education leadership program with a focus on the unique leadership and instructional needs of directors, heads of schools, and other professionals responsible for the growth and management of independent and private schools. Like other candidates in the education leadership program, students will develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to create and maintain learning environments that value diversity, instructional leadership, innovative and ethical decision-making, reflective practice, and the successful achievement of all students, with an emphasis on the independent school context.
Program type: online master’s programTypical program length: two yearsApply here
Johns Hopkins – Educational Leadership for Independent Schools
This graduate certificate program serves the needs of directors, heads of schools, principals, and other professionals responsible for the management of independent schools. The certificate program comprises 15 graduate credits with the option of applying them to the 33-39 credit master of science in education degree with a concentration in educational studies.
Program type: certificate programTypical program length: 15 graduate creditsApply here
Kennesaw State University – Independent and Charter School Leadership Certificate
This program will prepare students for the numerous roles and responsibilities of school administration at independent and charter schools. The independent and charter school certificate provides an opportunity for students to engage in field-based experiential learning activities related to independent and charter school leadership. Courses focus on financial management, strategic planning, institutional advancement, governance, operations, and infrastructures. The program concludes with a capstone project based on real-world, job-embedded field-based needs of independent and charter schools. This is a 12-hour certificate program and can be completed in as few as two semesters.
Program type: certificate programTypical program length: two semestersApply here
Klingenstein Center at Columbia University
Master’s Degree ProgramThis three-program portfolio includes options to earn a master’s degree in private school leadership over a year of full-time study or two intensive summers, as well as an option to add on an M.B.A. in partnership with Columbia Business School or INSEAD. Graduate with the knowledge, skills, perspective, and renewed passion to make an impact on your students, your colleagues, and the field of education.
Program type: master’s programTypical program length: one year or two summersProgram director: Nicole Brittingham Furlonge | klingenstein@tc.columbia.edu | 212-678-3156Apply here
Institute for Early Career TeachersThis fully-funded, two-week fellowship for teachers with two – five years of experience focuses on improving practice and making teachers more effective leaders in the classroom and throughout the school. Learn from master teachers and top Columbia University professors with a cohort of highly motivated peers while establishing an exceptional foundation for an impactful career in education.
Program type: fellowshipTypical program length: two weeksProgram director: Nicole Brittingham Furlonge | klingenstein@tc.columbia.edu | 212-678-3156Apply here
Heads of Schools ProgramThis two-week, fully-funded fellowship for heads of independent and international schools offers a unique opportunity to renew vision, passion, and energy for school leadership. Focus on educational issues of importance in your school and throughout the world with a cohort of thoughtful, dedicated fellow heads while completing engaging coursework and solutions-focused research projects.
Program type: fellowshipTypical program length: two weeksApply here
Mercer University – M.Ed. in Independent and Charter School Leadership
The M.Ed. in independent and charter school leadership provides a tailored opportunity for potential leaders to prepare themselves specifically to lead in the unique environments of independent and charter schools. The program is designed for current leaders or for those seeking advancement to a leadership position and for those who are seeking a career in the independent or charter school setting. This program does not lead to certification or certification upgrade.
The program prepares students to enter leadership positions in the independent and charter school environments, including principal, assistant principal, head of school, or directors of various departments, including admissions and student services. Further, the program can serve as professional development for those individuals who are currently employed in leadership positions at an independent or charter school who may have a background in areas other than education and have a need to understand the unique challenges of education to build upon their experience in the business or nonprofit sectors.
Program type: master’s program, in-person & onlineTypical program length: one yearApply here
Mount Holyoke College – M.A.T. in Teacher LeadershipThis two-year, online Master’s degree program offers a concentration in independent schools with two tracks to choose from: pedagogy and leadership. Students explore best practices and build a holistic toolbox to thrive as a teacher, advisor, coach, and leader. They will work with mentors and faculty to enrich their classrooms. Students in the program will develop a capstone project to address challenges of practice and create resources for other teachers. Mount Holyoke College also partners with 20+ independent schools across the country to offer a Fellowship program that pairs students with mentors at their school.Program type: master’s program, onlineTypical program length: 2 yearsApply here
University of Hawai’i – M.Ed. Educational Foundations: Private School Leadership
This program is a collaboration of the Department of Educational Foundations and the Hawai’i Association of Independent Schools (HAIS). It is designed for administrators, teachers, and other educators. Instruction blends research-based knowledge with the wisdom of experienced private school leaders to prepare professionals for positions of leadership. The PSL program is cohort-based and runs for a period of two consecutive summers, each of six weeks of face-to-face instruction, and the intervening fall and spring semesters.
Program type: master’s program, in-person & onlineTypical program length: 15 monthsApply here
University of North Carolina Charlotte: M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Independent School Cohort
In order to address the needs of the independent school professional and to nurture the next generation of school leaders, the UNC Charlotte Graduate School has partnered with North Carolina independent schools to offer a five-semester (just under two years),ten-course (30 credit hours), degree program that focuses both on the craft of teaching and the art of leadership.
Program type: master’s program, onlineTypical program length: 1.5 yearsApply here
University of Pennsylvania – School Leadership Program: Independent School Track
The independent school track prepares administrators and educators for the challenges of working in private and parochial schools. Culminating in a master of school leadership, this track provides a 240-hour internship, focused class topics, and practitioner assignments relevant to the independent school environment. Special to the independent school track is the ability for those in admissions or development roles at private schools to participate without having had prior classroom experience.
Vanderbilt University – M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership
Unlock your potential as an innovator and leader. Explore and master the skills needed to effectively lead an independent school community with a master’s degree in independent school leadership from Vanderbilt University. You’ll partner with current and aspiring independent school leaders who bring an incredible depth of experience and expertise. Together, you’ll work to navigate the complex educational, political, social, fiscal, and moral dimensions that independent schools face today. In the end, you’ll be prepared to reach higher levels of achievement for your career and the independent schools you seek to serve.
Program type: master’s program, in-person & onlineTypical program length: 14 monthsApply here
