The Educational Leadership Program
Leading with Purpose. Serving with Faith. Transforming Education.
The Educational Leadership program prepares K–12 educators for administrative service through graduate certificates, the master's degree, and the doctorate. The program is delivered online and designed for working professionals, joining academic rigor to practical application in the schools candidates already serve.
- Levels of study
- Certificate → PhD
- Delivery
- Asynchronous online
- Admission
- Rolling — fall, spring, summer
- Recognition
- NELP · HLC
- NAD certification
- 50% tuition discount
Three Levels of Preparation for Educational Leadership
The programs are designed as a progression. Coursework completed at one level applies toward the next, so candidates may begin with a certificate and continue toward the master's degree or the doctorate without duplicating study.
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Level 01
Graduate Certificates
Focused preparation for a designated administrative role, undertaken without commitment to a full degree program. Credits earned apply toward the master's degree should the candidate choose to continue.
- Principal 18 credits
- Superintendent of Schools 24 credits
- Supervisor of Instruction 18 credits
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Level 02
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
The principal credential for educators transitioning from the classroom into administration. Candidates who complete this degree at Andrews University subsequently enter the doctoral programs at reduced credit.
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Level 03
Doctor of Education (EdD)
A practice-oriented doctorate for experienced leaders engaged in the application of research to institutional problems. The program is ordinarily completed within five to seven years.
Candidates holding an approved MA in Educational Leadership, from Andrews or an equivalent accredited program, complete the doctorate in 60 credits rather than 90.
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Level 04
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The same 90-credit framework as the EdD, with additional coursework in advanced research methodology. Intended for those preparing for research, policy, or professorial appointments.
Candidates holding an approved MA in Educational Leadership, from Andrews or an equivalent accredited program, complete the doctorate in 60 credits rather than 90.
Candidates uncertain which level best serves their objectives are encouraged to consult the program director prior to application.
Academic Study Joined to Supervised Practice
The program is designed for practicing educators who remain in professional service throughout their studies. Theory and practice are treated as inseparable: what is examined in coursework is exercised, under supervision, in an actual school setting.
Asynchronous Online Delivery
Courses are delivered asynchronously, allowing candidates to pursue graduate study without relinquishing their professional responsibilities. Selected courses incorporate scheduled live online sessions; these are identified at registration so that candidates may plan accordingly.
Required in the Degree Programs
Candidates in the master's and doctoral programs complete an internship under the mentorship of an experienced educational leader, who supervises the work, models administrative judgment, and reflects with the candidate on decisions as they are made. The denominational certificates are built from coursework and do not include an internship requirement.
The internship translates academic study into administrative practice. Placement may occur within the candidate's own institution where circumstances permit, or in another approved setting selected to broaden professional experience.
Orientation and Annual Conference
Entering candidates attend the School of Leadership Orientation Session and Annual Conference each July, where individual programs of study are established, faculty advisors are assigned, and candidates meet the colleagues with whom they will study.
A Distinctively Adventist Understanding of Educational Leadership
Education, rightly understood, concerns the whole person — intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual — and directs that development toward service.
Andrews University is the flagship institution of the Seventh-day Adventist system of education, and this program is grounded in that tradition's conviction that the purpose of learning is the restoration of human capacity for service to God and neighbor. Leadership is therefore treated not as a technique of management but as a form of stewardship exercised on behalf of students, faculty, and community.
The program serves educators throughout the Adventist school system and prepares them for its particular responsibilities. It equally welcomes candidates of other faith traditions and of none. Colleagues who do not share the Adventist confession will find a program that states its convictions openly, examines them rigorously, and expects the same intellectual seriousness in return — an environment in which questions of purpose and value are treated as proper subjects of study rather than matters placed beyond discussion.
Requirements by Level of Study
Requirements differ by program, and no single set of courses is common to all of them. The Common Core is a defined requirement of the master's and doctoral curricula; the graduate certificates are instead composed of endorsement-specific course groups drawn from the same faculty and course inventory.
Graduate Certificates
18–24 credits
For post-baccalaureate or post-master's participants seeking to strengthen administrative practice. No Common Core requirement.
- LEAD630Introduction to Leadership2
- EDAL520Foundations of Educational Leadership2–3
- EDAL663Elementary & Secondary School Leadership2–3
- EDAL565Leadership for Seventh-day Adventist Education2
- EDAL560K–12 Law3
- EDCI547Foundations of Curriculum Studies3
- EDAL570Principles of Educational Supervision2–3
- EDAL645K–12 Educational Finance2–3
- LEAD630Introduction to Leadership2
- EDAL520Foundations of Educational Leadership2–3
- EDAL663Elementary & Secondary School Leadership2–3
- EDAL565Leadership for Seventh-day Adventist Education2
- EDCI547Foundations of Curriculum Studies3
- EDCI565Improving Instruction2–3
- EDAL570Principles of Educational Supervision3
- LEAD756Seminar: Topic in Supervision2–12
Requires a minimum of two graduate courses in curriculum, two in supervision, and one in school administration.
- LEAD630Introduction to Leadership2
- EDAL520Foundations of Educational Leadership2–3
- EDAL565Leadership for Seventh-day Adventist Education2
- EDAL560K–12 Law3
- EDCI547Foundations of Curriculum Studies3
- EDAL570Principles of Educational Supervision2–3
- EDAL645K–12 Educational Finance2–3
- EDAL635Human Resources Administration2–3
- LEAD525Public Relations: Community Partnerships2–3
- EDAL660Planning and Operating Educational Facilities2–3
Certificate credits transfer to the Andrews MA in Educational Leadership. The GRE is not required.
Courses may be taken initially as a guest student under Permission to Take Class; up to eight such credits may later be petitioned into a certificate or degree program.
The University does not itself issue certification or endorsement. Candidates secure certification through their employing organization, and requirements vary by state and by division.
Master of Arts
34 credits
For teachers transitioning into administration and for principals of K–8, K–10, K–12, and 9–12 schools.
- LEAD630Introduction to Leadership2
- EDAL520Foundations of Educational Leadership2–3
- EDAL645K–12 Educational Finance2–3
- EDAL670Technology for Leaders3
- EDAL680K–12 Internship3–12
- EDCI547Foundations of Curriculum Studies or EDCI565 Improving Instruction2–3
- EDFN500Philosophical Foundations for Professionals2–3
- LEAD675Portfolio Development0–3
- EDAL560K–12 Law3
- EDAL565Leadership for Seventh-day Adventist Education2
- EDAL570Principles of Educational Supervision2–3
- EDAL635Human Resources Administration2–3
- EDAL663Elementary & Secondary School Leadership2–3
- LEAD525Public Relations: Community Partnerships2–3
- EDRM505Research Methods3
- Determined in consultation with the advisor.
Taken at minimum credit throughout, The Common Core totals 17 credits; the advisor and candidate determine how the remaining required credit is met.
The portfolio serves as a component of the master's comprehensive examination. There is no thesis requirement.
Candidates seeking NAD administrative endorsement must hold an NAD professional teaching certificate and may need an additional course in one of the designated areas.
EdD and PhD
90+ credits · 60 with the Andrews MA
For administrators, supervisors, superintendents, and those preparing to teach educational administration at the university level.
- LEAD630Introduction to Leadership2
- EDAL520Foundations of Educational Leadership2–3
- EDAL645K–12 Educational Finance2–3
- EDAL670Technology for Leaders3
- EDCI547Foundations of Curriculum Studies or EDCI565 Improving Instruction2–3
- EDFN500Philosophical Foundations for Professionals3
- LEAD886Advanced Internship3–12
- LEAD675Portfolio Development — PhD only1–3
- EDAL560K–12 Law3
- EDAL565Leadership for Seventh-day Adventist Education1–3
- EDAL570Principles of Educational Supervision2–3
- EDAL635Human Resources Administration2–3
- EDAL663Elementary & Secondary School Leadership2–3
- LEAD525Public Relations: Community Partnerships1–3
- LEAD645Ethical Leadership1–3
- EDCI636Program Evaluation3
- EDRM505Research Methods3
- EDRM611Applied Statistical Methods I3
- LEAD535Principles of Academic Writing2–3
- LEAD637Issues in Research2–3
- EDRM605Qualitative Research Methods — PhD only3
- EDRM712Applied Statistical Methods II — PhD only3
- Selected outside educational administration — business, communication, social work, psychology, curriculum, leadership, or research.
- LEAD880Dissertation Proposal Development2
- LEAD899Doctoral Dissertation14+
The PhD is the more research-oriented degree and requires additional coursework in advanced methodology. Both degrees require a portfolio, which forms part of the doctoral comprehensive examination, and a successfully defended dissertation.
Up to 42 credits of prior graduate work may be transferred. Candidates ordinarily complete the doctorate in five to seven years.
Consult the Academic Bulletin for complete and current requirements →
Two Entry Requirements, Three Intakes Annually
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; there is no single deadline. Candidates whose grade point average falls below the stated minimum are nonetheless encouraged to apply, as admission decisions consider the composite professional profile rather than a single measure.
Certificates and MA
- Prerequisite
- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum undergraduate GPA
- 2.60
From an accredited institution, or a recognized non-U.S. equivalent.
Applicants below this threshold may be admitted upon consideration of the composite profile.
EdD and PhD
- Prerequisite
- Master's degree
- Minimum graduate GPA
- 3.30
From an accredited institution, or a recognized non-U.S. equivalent.
Applicants below this threshold may be admitted upon consideration of the composite profile.
Terms of Entry
- Intakes
- Fall · Spring · Summer
- Time to doctorate
- 5–7 years
- Graduate Record Examination
- Not required
Rolling admission. Applications are reviewed for the next available term.
Ordinarily; shorter for candidates entering with the Andrews Educational Leadership MA.
The GRE is not required for admission to the graduate certificate programs.
Recognized Institutionally, Professionally, and Denominationally
Higher Learning Commission
Andrews University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation is the basis upon which credits transfer, degrees are recognized by employers and licensing bodies, and candidates qualify for federal financial aid.
NELP Standards
The Educational Leadership programs are aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation standards, the national benchmark governing the preparation of building-level and district-level educational leaders.
NAD Certification
Coursework is mapped to North American Division administrative certification and endorsement requirements, permitting candidates to complete certification concurrently with a degree rather than as a separate undertaking.
A 50 Percent Tuition Discount for NAD Certification Candidates
Educators pursuing North American Division administrative certification and endorsement receive a 50 percent tuition discount and may complete certification requirements concurrently with a degree program.
Inquiries and Next Steps
Prospective candidates need not determine a level of study before making contact. Most begin with a conversation about their professional circumstances and objectives, from which an appropriate program of study is identified.
Dr. Dave Elias
Associate Professor and Director of Educational Leadership
- eliasd@andrews.edu
- Phone
- 269-471-6580
- Toll-Free
- 800-471-6210
- General
- leader@andrews.edu
- Campus
- Berrien Springs, Michigan
What Is Running This Term
Course offerings follow a two-year rotation. Several courses appear only in alternate years, so the term you take them in is usually decided a year ahead with your advisor.
Registering for a Later Term?
Check the rotation before you commit to a sequence. A course listed as alternate-year will not return for two years if you miss it.
When Is It Offered?
Choose a course to see every term it runs, or choose a term to see what is on offer. The schedule runs from summer 2025 through summer 2034.
Offerings from 2030 onward are projected from the established rotation and are confirmed each year. Always confirm against your approved course plan before registering.
Your Course Plan
Choose your program to see what it requires, drawn from the 2026–2027 bulletin plans. Each course shows the next term it is scheduled, so you can see at a glance what is available to you now and what you will have to wait for.
This is a reference copy. The signed plan you and your advisor complete is the authoritative record, and variable-credit courses are settled between the two of you.
Plan Your Sequence
Requirements come from your approved program plan, not from this page. What follows is the order in which the work is ordinarily taken, and the two-year cycle that determines when each specialization course appears.
Entry and Orientation
LEAD630
Introduction to Leadership, taken with the July orientation session where your program of study is established with your advisor.
Foundations
EDAL520 · EDAL565
Foundations of Educational Leadership and Leadership for Seventh-day Adventist Education.
Specialization
EDAL560 / 570 · EDAL635 / 645 / 660 · EDAL663 / 670 · LEAD525
Drawn from the menu below according to your program plan. These are the alternate-year courses; take them when they appear.
Practice and Integration
EDAL680 or EDAL886
Field-based leadership application under the supervision of a practicing educational leader. Registered every term.
Culmination
Portfolio, comprehensive examination, or advanced registration, as required by your degree.
Select from the menu according to your approved degree plan; these are not term-by-term prescriptions, and you should not schedule every listed course in one term.
Registrations That Are Always Available
These carry no rotation. They are open in fall, spring, and summer alike, and are registered as your milestones require.
University Systems and Student Services
Coursework
Course sites, schedules, and academic references.
- LearningHub Your course sites: syllabi, assignments, grades, discussions. Every registered course appears on your dashboard.
- Course rotation finder Which term a course runs in, from now through 2034. Use it when planning ahead.
- University course schedule The official schedule for the term now open: sections, credits, instructors. Use it when registering.
- Academic Bulletin The catalog of record. Course descriptions and the requirements that govern your degree.
- James White Library Databases, interlibrary loan, and research help for distance students.
Registration and Records
Enrollment, degree progress, and official records.
- Registration Central Where you enroll, change credits, and complete financial clearance each term.
- DegreeWorks Your degree audit: requirements met, requirements outstanding, and how a course would apply.
- iVue Your student dashboard — holds, alerts, advisor assignment, and term status at a glance.
- Academic Records The registrar: enrollment verification, grade changes, name changes, graduation applications.
- Academic calendar Term start and end dates, registration windows, and withdrawal deadlines.
- Transcript requests Ordered through the National Student Clearinghouse.
Portfolio and Program Documents
Program documentation and degree requirements.
- Mahara The university ePortfolio system, where portfolio and competency evidence is assembled and shared with faculty.
- Learning and program plans Requirements by program, with the next scheduled term for each course, and the printable plan to complete with your advisor. Your approved plan governs your requirements; this page and the rotation are references only.
- Educational Leadership Handbook (2017–2018 edition) Program standards, status and continuous-registration rules, internship procedures, portfolio and comprehensive evaluation, and dissertation stages. Where it differs from your current course plan, the course plan governs.
- Dissertation Office Formatting standards, submission process, and deadlines for the dissertation or doctoral project.
- School of Leadership course descriptions Full descriptions, credit ranges, and prerequisites for LEAD and EDAL courses.
Financial Services
Financial aid, clearance, and payment. Clearance must be completed before registration is finalized.
- Financial Aid dashboard Award letters, outstanding requirements, and disbursement status.
- Financial clearance Required each term before registration is finalized.
- Make a payment Payment options and plans through Student Financial Services.
- Financial services forms Includes forms for the NAD certification tuition discount.
Academic and Technical Support
Assistance with coursework, technology, and wellbeing.
- Student Success Center Academic coaching, tutoring, accommodations, and early-alert follow-up.
- ITS Help Desk Username activation, password resets, two-factor authentication. 269-471-6016.
- LearningHub and Mahara help Guides and support from Digital Learning & Instructional Technology: dlit@andrews.edu.
- Counseling & Testing Center Confidential counseling and testing services.
New Students
Account setup and orientation. Every system listed here uses your Andrews username and password.
- Activate your Andrews username Complete this first; it enables access to every system listed here.
- Andrews email Official correspondence goes here, including registration and financial notices.
- Online student resource guide Orientation to studying at a distance, in one PDF.
Who to Ask
Questions about sequencing, substitutions, or a term you may need to sit out are advising questions. Bring them before registration opens rather than after.
Dr. Dave Elias
Associate Professor and Director of Educational Leadership
- eliasd@andrews.edu
- Phone
- 269-471-6580
- General
- leader@andrews.edu
Each July
The School of Leadership Orientation Session and Annual Conference is where programs of study are established and revised with faculty advisors.
- Phone: 269-471-6580
- Toll-free: 800-471-6210
- Email: leader@andrews.edu