Course Requirements

Fundamental Course Elements

The following are fundamental elements integrated into all principal licensure courses.

Field experiences to apply and practice learning in school administrative settings;
Emphasis on the use of data and dialogue in the decision-making process;
Curriculum to increase cultural awareness and competence; and
Focus on an academic content area that familiarizes candidates with the Indiana Academic Standards, nationally recognized academic standards, and standards-based teaching and learning

Candidates with a Master’s Degree

For candidates that have already earned a Master’s Degree, the following courses required for principal licensure (24 Credits) may compose the iLEAD Program.

Promoting the Vision of a Learner-Centered Community through Ethical Leadership (4.5 Credits)
- Emphasizing effective leadership and instructional practices, this course immerses candidates into current leadership theory, the impact of ethical leadership in developing a positive learning culture, and the importance of aligning vision, mission, and goals.
Using Data to Build High Performing Learning Cultures (4.5 Credits)
- Underscoring the use of data, candidates learn how to transform school culture and practice analyzing real data to develop sustainable plans for increasing student achievement.
Leading School-Wide Improvement through Professional Development (4.5 Credits)
- Participating in, studying, and implementing effective professional development activities and practices allow candidates to experience a framework of professional development proven to deepen teachers’ content knowledge and pedagogy that elevates student learning. The course also emphasizes the fundamental importance of effective supervision practices that encourage, support, and monitor the implementation of best teaching practices.
Building School Success through Community Partnerships and Collaboration (4.5 Credits)
- This course emphasizes the use of collaborative leadership practices to garner community engagement and voice on schooling issues, models, and outcomes.
Balancing Management and Leadership to Ensure School Success (3.0 Credits)
- Balancing leadership and management to create a coherent and efficient organization will allow candidates to lead schools designed to sustain student achievement gains for many years. This course emphasizes how to utilize leadership to turn management functions such as evaluation, budgeting, student discipline, and scheduling into activities that further the school’s mission and attain the school’s vision.
Legal Elements for School Principals (3.0 Credits)
- Applying systemic, logical thinking processes in decision making are emphasized in this course while building a foundation of education law knowledge embedded in the many issues that confront school administrators each day.

Candidates without a Master’s Degree

For candidates who have not earned a Master’s Degree, the following courses may also comprise your iLEAD Program. Completing the following courses, in addition to the courses required for principal licensure above, will allow the candidate to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership (36 Credits).

Models of Effective Teaching (3.0 Credits)
- “Models of Effective Teaching” immerses candidates into the study and understanding of research-based teaching practices.
Organization of School Curriculum (3.0 Credits)
- “Organization of School Curriculum” challenges candidates to reflect on the future needs of society to deepen their understanding of curriculum.
Assessment for Learning (3.0 Credits)
- “Assessment for Learning” prepares candidates for the today’s testing culture while also deepening their understanding of effective assessment practices that increase the effectiveness of instruction and curriculum.
Introduction to Educational Research (3.0 Credits)
- “Introduction to Educational Research” immerses candidates in the use of action research and teaches them how to be a competent consumer of research