Alternative Pathway To Florida Principal Certification

Program Admission Requirements

The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership explores the functions of educational leaders and stress 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 prepared 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:

• FGCU graduate application
• Immunization history form
• Official academic transcripts from every college or university attended
• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) official scores
• Three letters of recommendation from professionals in the field. Candidates for the M.Ed. program should include a letter of recommendation from their school principal.
• Performance in courses taken post-baccalaureate will be taken into consideration for admission

• International graduate applicants are required to submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or 79 (internet-based test), or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, unless otherwise specified by the program.

  FGCU Regulation 3.005 also allow students to prove their English proficiency by completing “English Composition I and II (ENC 1101 and ENC 1102, or equivalent) with a grade of C or better” (these courses should be completed prior to admission into the graduate program).

• Grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester hours attempted accruing to the undergraduate degree
• Principal Certification of Instructional Expertise and Leadership Potential 

Additional M.Ed. Specific Requirements

• Professional teaching certificate or eligibility for a Florida professional teaching certificate
• At least two years of successful K-12 teaching experience

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.

For additional program details, please review the Educational Leadership Program Overview.

Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements

• Students must satisfactorily complete the minimum number of credit hours specified by the graduate degree program.
• Overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in all work attempted.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all coursework taken in program.
• Students must pass all portions of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination.
• Final program completion is assessed through portfolio assessment.
• The College of Education limits the transfer of coursework into all its graduate programs to a maximum of 18 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.

Program Requirements

Required Courses in the Major (39 credits)
EDA 6061 Principles of Ed Leadership (3)
EDA 6192 Organizational Development (3)
EDA 6232 School Law (3)
EDA 6242 School Finance (3)
EDA 6945 Internship I - Educ Leadership (3)
EDA 6946 Internship II - Educ Leadership (3)
EDF 6432 Foundation of Measurement (3)
EDG 6326 Learning, Account & Assess (6)
EDG 6391  Instructional Leadership (3)
EDG 6627 Found. of Curriculum & Instr. (3)
EDS 6050  Human Resources Development (3)
EME 6425 Technology for School Leaders (3)