Master of Arts in Education: Education Leadership (MEL)
Wheeling University’s Master of Arts in Education, or MEL program, provides educators a way to earn their master’s degree in as little as one year, entirely online. This 33 credit program is designed with multiple start dates and maximum flexibility to allow working professionals to further their education. This graduate program focuses on Education Leadership and features two tracks: School and System Leadership and Instructional Leadership.
An educator currently holding a master’s degree in education may design their own path through the Sequence of Study Certificate Program. Current educators or administrators who have already earned a master’s degree as well as principal certification may enter the MEL program in order to earn additional licensure as a superintendent or supervisor of instruction.
WU’s Educational Leadership Program is accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC), certifying that the professional education program adheres to TEAC’s quality principles, as well as the West Virginia Department of Education.
For more information, contact Jessica Holubeck, Assistant Director of Admissions, at jholubeck@wheeling.edu, 304-243-2069 or Dianna M. Vargo, Ed.D, Director of Graduate Education and Accelerated Certification for Teaching Programs at dvargo@wheeling.edu, 304-243-2367.
Program & Courses
The School and System Leadership track allows educators to earn their principal, superintendent, and supervisor of instruction certification. With the ability to be taken entirely online, the program is a total of 33 credit hours.
MEL 500 Global Teaching & Learning
MEL 510 Communication & Negotiation
MEL 520 Education Law & Ethics
MEL 530 Transformational Leadership
MEL 540 School Resource Management
MEL 550 Field-Based Action Research
MEL 560 Data-Driven Decision Making
MEL 570 Residency I
MEL 580 Residency II
MEL 590 Professional Development Design
MEL 600 Systems Thinking for Education Leaders
The Instructional Leadership track is geared towards the teacher who desires a master’s degree and wants to improve their leadership skills. With the ability to be taken entirely online, the program is a total of 33 credit hours.
MEL 500 Global Teaching & Learning
MEL 510 Communication & Negotiation
MEL 525 Psychology of Student Engagement
MEL 535 Project-Based Learning
MEL 550 Field-Based Action Research
MEL 555 Meeting Unique Learning Needs
MEL 560 Data-Driven Decision Making
MEL 565 Differentiating Instruction
MEL 570 Residency I
MEL 580 Residency II
MEL 600 Systems Thinking for Education Leaders
A transcript review will be completed to determine the necessary course of study. Students holding a master’s degree and principal certification can typically add the additional superintendent certifications by taking as little as nine additional credit hours.
Eligibility & Admissions Requirements
To qualify for the MEL program, applicants must:
- Have a score of at least 650 on the TOEFL exam for students whose native language is not Englis
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Professional Teaching Certificate
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
Upon meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants can complete the admission process by:
- Completing a free application by clicking here. Early application is recommended.
- Submitting a resume.
- Submitting a goals statement.
- Submitting a copy of your teaching certificate.
- Requesting official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended, having them sent electronically to grad@wju.edu or mailed directly to: Wheeling University – GPS Admissions, 316 Washington Avenue, Wheeling, WV 26003
- Applying for federal student loans and grants by completing the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov if qualifying. School Code is #003831.