M.Ed. M.S. in Educational Leadership

The purpose of the Educational Leadership program is to provide professional and/or academic preparation for individuals interested in leadership roles in K-12 and higher education settings. These roles include teacher leaders, mid-level administrators (e.g., school principals or higher education administrators), and upper-level administrative positions such as district superintendents.

Degrees offered include a 32-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership – K-12 Leadership and a 36-credit Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in Educational Leadership - Higher Education Administration.

K-12 Leadership

The K-12 Leadership option is designed to transform your passion for education using the professional and organizational skills necessary for leadership that focuses on student success. Graduates from this program have the knowledge, skills, and experiences to lead others through informed decision-making and collaboration.

The K-12 Leadership program is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board. Changes in national and state legislation, standards, or rules can affect academic program requirements

Higher Education Administration

The Higher Education Administration option is designed to provide the foundations of practice, research and theory of higher education and student affairs essential for leadership in post-secondary contexts. Graduates from this program have the knowledge, skills, and experiences to become change agents on college and university campuses.

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student-focused, land-grant, research university.

NDSU is ranked 94 among public research universities based on NDSU’s research expenditures reported to the National Science Foundation. In addition, NDSU is listed in the National Science Foundation’s top 100 in several areas, including agricultural sciences; business management and business; communications; computer sciences; natural resources and conservation science; political science and government; social sciences; sociology, demography, and population studies; and visual and performing arts.

The main campus is in Fargo, North Dakota, with Extension Service and Research Experiment Station locations across the state.

Mission, Vision, Core Values

Mission

With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our land-grant foundation.

Vision

We envision a vibrant university that will be globally identified as a contemporary metropolitan land-grant institution.

Core Values

NDSU is guided by the following key values and principles:

Land-Grant

We reflect and serve geographically and culturally diverse populations. We share institutional success across the university. We anticipate and welcome growth and service that will occur in ways yet to be conceived. We embrace our unique complexities as a land-grant university on the Northern Great Plains. We remain committed to serving people globally.

People

We derive strength and vitality from each other and from the diverse communities we serve. We envision an academic and social environment that is conducive to intellectual and personal development by promoting the safety and welfare of all members of the university community. We promote excellence through individuals participating in decisions and value cooperation for the common good.

Teaching and Learning

We provide a superior teaching and learning environment within and outside the traditional classroom. We promote and value liberal, graduate, and professional education in a collegial environment where divergent ideas can be shared. We foster an environment that promotes life-long learning with individually defined goals.

Ethics

We maintain our integrity through principled action and ethical decision-making.

Culture

We will be the land-grant university that we want to be by welcoming and respecting differences in people and ideas. We support the goals of the North Dakota University System and value collaboration with colleges and universities around the world. We foster accessibility to our programs and services.

Accountability

We have a special relationship with and are accountable to, the people of North Dakota. We actively strive to contribute to our region's economic prosperity and to improve the quality of life.