Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies MA

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies

Requirements for Principal Licensure, the MA and EdS degrees, and Executive Leadership Administrator Licensure Program

Office: Lawrence Street Center, 701
Telephone: 303-315-6300
Fax: 303-315-6311
E-mail: education@ucdenver.edu
Web site: www.ucdenver.edu/education/alps

Principal Licensure

Master of Arts Degree

Education Specialist Degree

Executive Leadership Administrator Licensure Program

Faculty

For information about faculty in this area, visit www.ucdenver.edu/education/alps.

The primary responsibility of the administrative leadership and policy studies (ALPS) faculty is to prepare leaders for public education in Colorado and the nation. Currently, the principal license is required for people seeking building-level administrative positions in Colorado.

Principal Licensure Program

ALPS offers course work that leads to the initial license for principal. Having earned an initial license, those who have obtained a master’s degree and who go on to complete a district sponsored induction program may then be awarded a professional license by the Colorado Department of Education.

ALPS’s 32 semester-hour principal licensure program is project-based, requiring students to present evidence of meeting both state and national standards through performance based assessments. A 400-hour clinical-practice experience is integrated throughout the four-semester program.

Students develop a portfolio during the principal licensure program. Portfolios not finalized by the end of the fourth semester must be completed within the two subsequent semesters (not including summer).

Note: Those already holding a principal license and master’s degree should see the Executive Leadership Program (below) for pursuing administrator licensure.

Denver Metro-Area Cohorts

Denver metro-area cohorts are delivered in four 8-semester-hour courses over four consecutive semesters. Cohorts start at one or more locations each semester and involve a combination of regular in-person meetings (up to 15 times per semester) and online work.
EDUC 5751 - Principal/Administrator Licensing I Semester Hours: 5 to 9
EDUC 5752 - Principal Administrator Licensing II. Semester Hours: 5 to 9
EDUC 5753 - Principal/Administrator Licensing III. Semester Hours: 5 to 9
EDUC 5754 - Principal or Administrator Licensing IV. Semester Hours: 5 to 9

Total: 32 Hours

Distance-Learning Cohorts

Distance-learning cohorts start each summer in June with a weeklong boot camp in Denver, meet over several intensive weekends during the subsequent fall and spring semesters and end with a weekend the following summer. Online work is completed in between the in-person sessions. Distance-learning cohorts are delivered in three 9-semester-hour courses and one 5-semester-hour course:
EDUC 5751 - Principal/Administrator Licensing I. Semester Hours: 5 to 9
EDUC 5752 - Principal Administrator Licensing II. Semester Hours: 5 to 9
EDUC 5753 - Principal/Administrator Licensing III. Semester Hours: 5 to 9
EDUC 5754 - Principal or Administrator Licensing IV. Semester Hours: 5 to 9
Total: 32 Hours

MA Program

The MA is designed for those who do not already hold a graduate degree. Usually master’s students will complete 9 semester hours beyond the 32 required in the licensure program, for a total of 41 semester hours of course work after the bachelor’s degree.

For the MA degree, students must select at least one course in each of the following three areas:

Candidates must also successfully complete a comprehensive exam paper, reflecting on how the three MA classes will help them in the role of principal or administrator.

EdS Program

The EdS degree program affords the opportunity for advanced graduate study and is available to those who already hold a master’s degree. Generally for the specialist degree students will complete 9 semester hours that constitute an area of focus, in addition to the 32 required in the licensure program. Candidates must also successfully complete a comprehensive exam paper, reflecting on how the three EdS classes will help them in the role of principal or administrator.

Administrator Licensure - Executive Leadership Program

Designed for the professional educator who, already holding a principal license and master’s degree, wishes to obtain an initial administrator license in Colorado and prepare for a career as a superintendent or other district leader. This one-year, 12-semester-hour certificate program combines weekend meetings with online work and hands-on clinical practice—usually completed in participants’ home districts. Learn more at www.ucdenver.edu/education/elp.

Additional Program Information

Individuals interested in any of these programs are encouraged to contact ALPS faculty. Conferences prior to application are encouraged and welcomed. Following admission, students are expected to maintain frequent contact with assigned advisors to plan, develop and complete their programs of study.

Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies MA