Educational Leadership Pathway

Graduate Programs

Educational Leadership Pathway

The Educational Leadership Pathway provides a clear and practical route for educators to advance in their careers by connecting three graduate programs at the University of Michigan-Flint. By packaging these programs, you will be able to set yourself on a path from classroom practitioner to principal to central office administrator while building deep professional relationships with faculty, professionals, and peers.

Each of these programs operates independently but is all offered in an online format. Students learn through a unique blend of online asynchronous coursework with monthly synchronous sessions, held one Saturday a month. Courses are taught by a combination of accomplished tenure track faculty and lecturers who have previously worked as K-12 principals and superintendents.

Admission to each of the three programs is separate; entry into the pathway at any point is possible when meeting requirements.

The three graduate programs which make up the Educational Leadership Pathway are as follows:

MA in Educational Administration

The Master’s degree in the Pathway is a MA in Educational Administration, designed for principal preparation. This high-quality program equips students with the tools and concepts necessary for successful administration and an informed perspective on the range of situations confronting K-12 education. Graduates of this program are awarded a Master of Arts in Educational Administration degree from the University of Michigan. Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible to apply for the mandatory School Administrator Certificate.

Education Specialist

The Education Specialist degree is a post-masters program that focuses on applied learning and preparation for executive leadership assignments. The program is designed to prepare practicing teachers and school administrators to assume greater professional roles in their building and/or in administration and supervision. Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible to apply for the mandatory Michigan School Administrator Certificate with a Central Office endorsement.

Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership is a doctoral program that focuses on applied learning and preparation for executive leadership assignments.  It is designed to prepare practicing teachers and administrators to assume greater leadership roles, to apply a broad base of scholarship to challenges in the field, and to actively contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

Academic Advising

At UM-Flint, we are proud to have many dedicated advisors who are the experts students can rely upon to help guide their educational journey. For academic advising, please reach out to your program/department of interest as listed here.