Educational Leadership (M.Ed.)

Institutional Accreditation

Information on FGCU institutional accreditation is available at www.fgcu.edu/accreditation

Getting Started

Applicants must submit an application online per the individual program’s instructions below. Please contact Graduate Admissions at 239-745-GRAD or graduate@fgcu.edu for additional information about the application process. Satisfaction of minimum University and program requirements does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Applicants should check with the program for the most up to date admission requirements prior to commencing the application process.

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership is the university’s state-approved certificate program and explores the functions of educational leaders and stresses the relationship between tested practice and applied theory. The program prepares students for leadership positions in educational settings and improves the performance of current leaders. Graduates are required to qualify for Educational Leadership certification by the Florida Department of Education.

The program faculty bases decisions for regular admissions on a holistic review of credentials in which the criteria listed below are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Submit an FGCU Graduate Admissions Application and satisfy all applicable university admissions requirements.
• Official academic transcripts from every college or university attended.
• Earned baccalaureate degree from an institution that maintains accreditation by a U.S. Department of Education sanctioned accrediting body (https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/college-accreditation) or equivalent foreign institution.
• A Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours attempted accruing to their undergraduate degree.
• A Florida professional teaching certificate or statement of eligibility from a reciprocal state DOE.
• Documentation from a current or former supervising principal that confirms the candidate has successfully completed two years of classroom teaching experience at an effective or highly effective level.
• A one-page statement about your career and personal goals connected with pursuing graduate work in Educational Leadership. This statement should explain your motivation for pursuing a master’s degree at FGCU.
• Upon acceptance for admission, candidates for the M.Ed. program will also be required to provide a sponsorship recommendation from their school principal who will also reconfirm the candidate's instructional expertise and leadership potential.
• Performance in courses taken post-baccalaureate will be taken into consideration for admission
• Immunization history form (waived for the Accelerated Program)
• International students must demonstrate English language proficiency in accordance with University regulation.

Program Requirements for the 2025-2026 Catalog Year

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credits specified by the graduate degree program.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned in all required courses in the program.
• Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework in program.
• Students must pass all portions of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination.
• Candidates must complete and successfully defend their final portfolio.
• The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into its graduate programs to a maximum of 9 credits. To be considered, courses must have been completed with a minimum grade of B and no more than seven years prior to the date of entry into the graduate program and no more than ten years prior to graduation from the graduate program.
• Submit an application for graduation by the semester deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
• Students must register for a minimum of one credit during the semester in which they apply for graduation.
• Earn more than 50% of the credits toward the degree through FGCU. 

Program Requirements

Required Courses in the Major (30 credits)
EDA 6061 Principles of Ed Leadership (3)
EDA 6192 Organizational Development (3)
EDA 6232 School Law (3)
EDA 6242 School Budgets&Fin Reporting (3)
EDA 6942 Field Experience Workshop (1-3)*
EDA 6948 Final Leadership Seminar (3)
EDF 6401 Data & Analysis in Education (3)
EDG 6326 Learning, Account & Assess (3)
EDG 6339 Breakthrough Thinking for Sust (3)
EDG 6391 Instructional Leadership (3)
EDS 6050 Human Resources Development (3)

*EDA 6942 Field Experience Workshop is an elective course which provides candidates the opportunity to complete missing internship hours or allows additional time to pass the FELE. Candidates must enroll in at least one-credit hour in the semester of graduation. EDA 6942 will be waived for candidates who have successfully completed 270 hours of external field experience activities prior to enrollment into EDA 6948 Final Leadership Seminar.  Waiver of EDA 6942 will reduce the program of study to 30 credits.

Total Credits Required: 30 HRS