M.Ed. with Leadership Development for Educators (LEDE) Concentration

Earn a Principal or Program Administrator certification with an optional M.Ed. degree

Earn your Residency Principal or Program administrator certificate and learn from and alongside practitioner faculty with extensive experience in schools and districts across rural, suburban, urban, international, and independent school contexts, all with a strong commitment to educational justice and advocacy.

The Leadership Development for Educators (LEDE) concentration at the University of Washington Bothell is designed for educators seeking the Residency Principal or Program Administrator certificate from the state of Washington. This program’s purpose is to develop leaders committed to advancing educational justice and providing them the tools to support educators in dismantling oppressive educational structures.

The LEDE concentration combines a focus on instructional leadership skills with an in-depth understanding of the historical and contemporary structures impacting minoritized communities, preparing students to become anti-racist leaders within and beyond the school building and district offices. Community-based mentorship drawing on the voices of youth and community, coupled with a highly structured school or district-based internship, is designed to help students access and build understanding of the inequities that persist within our educational systems and structures.

Upon successful completion of coursework and internship requirements, students will be eligible for the Principal or Program Administrator certificate from the state of Washington. Applicants may pursue the certificate alone or with a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. 

LEDE Concentration Highlights

• Earn a Principal or Program Administrator certification with an optional M.Ed. degree in just 18 months. 
• Flexible hybrid course schedule, which includes 2-3 evening classes a month and 1 quarterly Saturday session.
• Commitment to building solidarity and agency around anti-racist leadership positioning and practices.
• A co-teaching model is embedded within LEDE which supports collective and experiential knowledge sharing from multiple instructors.

Careers

Current students and future graduates go on to and advance in careers such as:

• K-12 Deans
• Teacher Leaders
• School Principals or Assistant Principals
• Program Administrators

Credit Structure

The LEDE concentration requires students to earn a minimum of 27 credits. All students complete 27 credits of certification coursework, which includes state internship and certification requirements (540 hours for principals and 360 hours for program administrators). Those seeking an M.Ed. along with their certification will complete an additional 10 credits of core courses. 

Course descriptions can be found here.