Master’s in Educational Leadership: Christian Leadership Emphasis
Empower Students and Staff Through Educational Leadership
Fostering growth and collaboration among students and staff is at the heart of the Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership with an Emphasis in K–12 Christian Education program at Grand Canyon University. This degree is designed for educators or administrators seeking to develop their skills and knowledge as leaders in pre-K–12 Christian educational settings. If you are dedicated to guiding others and shaping a brighter future in education, this MEd program may be a great choice to take your leadership skills to the next level.
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Ignite Positive Change in Education with a Master's in Educational Leadership from GCU
Whether you're seeking new opportunities within educational leadership or making a profound impact in the field of education, this program offers a platform to grow your leadership skills and foster a positive outlook for students and staff alike. Experienced faculty within the College of Education will teach advanced concepts and strategies aimed at leading with integrity, promoting inclusivity and cultivating environments that support academic, social and emotional growth for all individuals.
This may be ideal for aspiring educational leaders interested in various school environments, especially Christian schools where state licensure or certification is not required. Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to possess leadership skills that may enable them to:
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Advanced Christian Leadership Course Topics
Discover essential topics in Christian school management courses, providing specialized insights for leading in educational and faith-based settings. These topics include:
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This master’s program includes an action research project and capstone, along with a 30-hour practicum, providing opportunities to explore character education within school environments. Practical experiences are provided to help you develop insights for potential leadership roles across various school settings, including Christian schools with no state licensure or certification requirements.
Career Paths for MEd Graduates With a Christian Leadership Emphasis
Our master’s in educational leadership degree will teach you to cultivate your leadership potential and help you build promising opportunities for your students and staff. Career paths that may be open to graduates of this program include education administrators who work in a pre-K-12 grade setting.
Postsecondary education administrators usually require a master’s degree, but provosts and deans often need a PhD in their field or in higher education.2 The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that employers value candidates with prior experience in postsecondary education administration, especially for positions such as registrars and academic deans.2
Get Your MEd Degree From an Accredited University
Our program is meticulously designed to align with Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) accreditation guidelines, preparing you to be eligible for ACSI certification. This program adheres to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards and emphasizes strong character education within GCU’s Canyon Center for Character Education (CCCE), supported by the Kern Family Foundation.
Additionally, GCU has held continuous accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1968, demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence and rigorous standards.
Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership: Christian Leadership Emphasis FAQs
If you're intrigued by the idea of crafting curriculum and shaping educational paths, we have compiled a few frequently asked questions about this MEd program that can assist you on your journey.
A master’s in educational leadership may be valuable for individuals seeking to make an impact in educational settings that emphasize Christian values. Postsecondary education administration roles typically require a master's degree, as indicated by the BLS.2 However, there are some positions that may accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree, offering varied opportunities within the field.2 Furthermore, the BLS estimates that job growth for postsecondary education administrators will increase by about 4% from 2022 to 2032, accounting for an estimated increase of 15,300 jobs in the field.3 This advanced MEd in educational leadership program can be worth it for those passionate about education and leadership roles.
The duration of a master’s program can vary depending on factors such as the program type, course load and individual progress. Fill out the form on this page to speak to a university counselor to better understand how long it will take to earn your degree.
Yes. GCU offers an educational leadership master’s online to accommodate the needs of working professionals. GCU offers a comprehensive digital platform that supports an online learning community known for its flexibility, allowing you to balance your studies alongside your professional and personal responsibilities.
If seeking licensure or certification, applicants to the program are responsible for contacting their state department of education for licensure requirements and program approval. In addition, fingerprint and background clearance is required.
1 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Postsecondary Education Administrators, as of May 2023, retrieved on May 13, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as postsecondary education administrators, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 17). How to Become a Postsecondary Education Administrator. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved on April 25, 2024.
3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Education Administrators, retrieved on April 25, 2024.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course begins by acquainting candidates with the learning management system while preparing them to be successful graduate-level students and future educational leaders. With a programmatic focus on developing leaders, this course examines school missions and visions that promote the values of equity, diversity, and community, with an emphasis on a leader’s character development, modeling and advocating for ethical behavior, and leadership.
Course Description
This course focuses on legal requirements unique to the Christian school. Emphasis is placed on school governance and the rights and issues associated with employees and students as well as pertinent laws and court decisions that govern Christian schools. Emphasis is also placed on advocacy, trends, the legislative process, and analyzing best practices for various organizational structures of Christian schools.
Course Description
This course emphasizes the critical role of the leader in creating and sustaining a positive school culture and shared vision. Given diverse settings, contexts, and leadership situations, candidates will explore how to manage and cultivate productive relationships with students, families, and the educational community that promote student development and success. Emphasis is placed on effective communication with community stakeholders in a variety of contexts.
Course Description
This course prepares candidates to promote effective and safe learning environments to support school improvement initiatives. Research-based best practices in establishing a consistent, organized, and respectful learning environment will be explored. Emphasis is placed on equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive practices. Character education is addressed to support the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of all school community stakeholders, and to sustain a positive learning environment.
Course Description
This course focuses on the funding and budgeting of Christian schools. Topics include funding sources, including tuition, capital campaigns, and public funds. Emphasis is placed on ethical and professional behavior in the areas of funding and financial governance in Christian schools. Best practices and sound fiscal approaches to starting, developing, and operating Christian schools are also addressed. Prerequisite: CEA-517.
Course Description
This course focuses on the foundations of creating and maintaining a Christian school environment through best practices for various organizational structures of Christian schools. Topics include spiritual practices, managing internal and external stakeholders, conflict resolution, and relational leadership. Emphasis is placed on personal spiritual formation and character development, as well as the creation and promotion of a philosophy of Christian education that is solidly based on biblical principles.
Course Description
This course explores the application of professional dispositions and virtues based on a personal mission and vision in a manner that promotes democracy, individual freedom and responsibility within the educational community. Topics include self-awareness and self-reflection as a leader, as well as building and maintaining positive relationships with all education stakeholders. Prerequisite: EDL-527 or CEA-527.
Course Description
This course focuses on curriculum and instruction from a Christian worldview. Emphasis is placed on illuminating biblical truth in the overall curriculum planning and daily instruction in academic content areas. Modeling Christlike values and servant leadership on the school campus as well as to the broader community is also addressed.
Course Description
This course introduces candidates to the entrepreneurial mindset in education that is required to identify emerging trends and promote innovation. Collaborative and data-informed decision-making and risk tolerance and management are emphasized. Prerequisite: EDL-537
Course Description
Candidates are introduced to models and frameworks of change management as well as necessary communication skills to manage risk, create buy-in, and build coalitions to promote positive educational change. Emphasis is placed on the importance of relationships, understanding and preparing to lead lasting change, and the moral purpose of change. Prerequisite: EDL-557.
Course Description
This course focuses on building a collaborative culture that fosters effective teams and projects. Topics explored include delegating responsibility and supervision of projects and leaders. Prerequisite: EDL-567 or EAD-587.
Course Description
This capstone course provides educational leadership candidates the opportunity to implement an innovative solution to an educational issue. An emphasis is placed on conducting research, data analysis, and analyzing research themes to draw conclusions. Practicum/field experience hours: 30. Fingerprint clearance required. Prerequisite: EDL-577.
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.
* Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change.