The University of Indianapolis educational leadership program is a nationally accredited principal preparation program that merges theory and practice in all areas of school leadership. Students gain a deep understanding of schooling issues through interactive class dialogue and use that knowledge to design projects around evidence-based solutions. Students apply those strategies in field experiences as they learn to carry out the day-to-day responsibilities that characterize 21st century schools.

1. UNIVERSITY OF INDIANAPOLIS
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM
Webinar
March 5, 2015

2. About Us
• The University of Indianapolis educational leadership
program is a nationally accredited principal preparation
program that merges theory and practice in all areas of
school leadership.
• Students gain a deep understanding of schooling issues
through interactive class dialogue and use that knowledge
to design projects around evidence-based solutions.
• Students apply those strategies in field experiences as
they learn to carry out the day-to-day responsibilities that
characterize 21st century schools.

3. University of Indianapolis School of
Education

4. Our Successes
• In 2015, Cohorts 19 and 20 will
begin. One hundred eighty (180)
students have completed the
University of Indianapolis
educational leadership program
(iLEAD).
• 60% of our graduates are employed
in leadership positions.
• Our students have very high
percentage passing rates on the
BLA licensing test.
• All students are mentored by
building and district leaders.
• Current school leaders review our
students’ signature projects each
semester and network with our
graduates.

5. Becoming an Indiana School Leader: BLA(Building-
LevelAdministrator) Licensing Requirements
• Completion of a masters in educational leadership or 24
hrs in graduate leadership courses if the candidate
already holds a masters
• Successfully pass the Indiana Pearson Building-Level
Administrators’ Test
• Complete a minimum of 2 yrs teaching experience
• Hold an initial standard, provisional, proficient, or
accomplished practitioner license with at least one (1)
content area

6. Options
• Master of Arts in
Educational
Leadership
• Principal Licensing for
Candidates with a
Masters Degree

7. Candidates Seeking a Masters Degree
• Candidates who have not earned a master’s degree must complete 36 credit hours to earn a Master
of Arts degree in Educational Leadership.
• The following courses are required in addition to the educational leadership courses:
• EDUC 510 – Organization of School Curriculum
• EDUC 511 – Models of Effective Teaching
• EDUC 512 – Assessment for Learning
• EDUC 590 – Introduction to Educational Research

8. Candidates Seeking a Principal’s License
and Already Having a Masters Degree
Candidates complete 24 credit hours for principal licensure.
The following educational leadership courses are required:
• EDUC 600 – Leading a Learner-Centered Community
• EDUC 605 – Using Data to Build High-Performing Learning Cultures
• EDUC 610 – Leading School-Wide Improvement through Professional Development
• EDUC 615 – Building Success through Community Partnerships and Collaboration
• EDUC 620 – Balancing Management and Leadership to Ensure School Success
• EDUC 625 – School Law for Principals

9. Program Overview
• 5 semesters with Fall
and Spring cohorts
• 6 Saturday sessions
on campus each
semester
• Online assignments
during intervening
weeks
• Field experiences with
mentors in each
leadership course
• Classes taught by
practicing school
leaders
• Signature projects
presented to
external reviewers
each semester

10. Our Leadership Curriculum
EDUC 610
Leading School-Wide Improvement through
Professional Development – 4.5 hrs
Signature Projects: Mentoring and Coaching a
Teacher to Promote School Success;
Professional Development Plan Project
EDUC 605
Using Data to Build High-Performing Learning
Cultures – 4.5 hrs
Signature Project: School Data Analysis Project
EDUC 600
Leading a Learner-Centered Community – 4.5
hrs
Signature Project: School Practice Problem

11. Our Leadership Curriculum
EDUC 625
School Law – 3 hrs School Law Project
EDUC 620
Balancing Management and Leadership to
Ensure School Success – 3 hrs
Individual Leadership Project
EDUC 615
Building Success through Community
Partnerships and Collaboration – 4.5 hrs
School Reform Models Project

12. Classes for Masters Degree Candidates
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
EDUC 500
Curriculum
3 hrs
EDUC 510
Assessment
3 hrs
EDUC 511
Models of
Effective
Teaching
EDUC 590
Introduction
to Research

13. Embedded Field Experiences
• Students are mentored
by building or district
school leaders
• Students shadow
mentors and de-brief
• In the last 2 internship
semesters, students
are project leaders,
and mentors observe
them
• Students complete
approximately 345
hours of field activities.
• Field experiences
comprise 15-30% of
course grades
• Students also work
with principals and
district leaders on their
projects

14. Notes from the
Field
“The mentoring program
has been invaluable.
The insights that we
have gained because of
the openness and
honesty of our mentor
have helped us see
what administration is
really going to be like.
Our mentor has gone
above and beyond by
exposing us to a variety
of experiences - teacher
evaluation walk-
throughs, team data
meetings, school board
meetings, new teacher
meetings, and the day-
to-day tasks of a
building administrator.”

15. Career Development
• Service learning: iLEAD
students conduct University of
Indianapolis Teacher Interview
Day annually
• Students network with the
Friends of iLEAD cadre
• Graduates teach modules in
classes, assist with signature
project reviews
• EDUC 620 individual leadership
projects benefit area schools
• Professors role-play interviews
with students and offer
suggestions for resume-building

16. Faculty
Teaching Faculty
• Dr. John Somers,
Program Director
• Dr. Terrence Harewood
• Dr. Kent DeKoninck
• Kevin McDowell
• Dr. Jack Parker
• John Taylor
• Lynn Wheeler
Leaders-in-Residence
• Dr. Jim Snapp,
Superintendent-in-
Residence
• Crystal Thorpe, Principal-
in-Residence

17. Faculty
Dr. Terrence Harewood, Assistant Professor,
Teacher Education
tharewood@uindy.edu
Dr. Kent DeKoninck, Greenwood Schools
Superintendent
dekoninckk@uindy.edu

18. Faculty
Kevin McDowell, J.D.
Indiana Attorney General’s Office
mcdowellk@uindy.edu
Dr. Jack Parker, Asst. Curriculum/Special Ed
Dir., Center Grove Schools
parkerjl@uindy.edu

19. Faculty
Dr. John Somers, Associate Professor,
Program Director
jsomers@uindy.edu
Dr. John Taylor, Chief Academic Officer,
MSD Wayne Township
taylorjs@uindy.edu

20. Faculty
Lynn Wheeler, Ed.S
Assistant Professor, Field Experience
Coordinator
wheelerl@uindy.edu

21. Admission Requirements
• UIndy graduate admission online application
• Bachelor's degree in education and a teaching license
from a regionally or nationally accredited institution
• Official transcripts (undergraduate and/or graduate)
with a preferred minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a
4.0 scale
• Three letters of recommendation from current and/or
past principals, supervisors
• Resume
• Copy of your teaching license
• Agreement from your school corporation to support
required field experiences
• Personal statement summarizing your career goals
and purpose for applying to the program
• Interview with UIndy iLEAD faculty
Application deadlines
Cohort 19, beginning May 9, 2015:
April 24, 2015
Cohort 20, beginning Sept 12, 2015:
August 28, 2015

22. Resources
http://uindy.edu/education/ilead/
Dr. John Somers Lynn Wheeler
Director of Graduate Programs Field Experience Coordinator
317.788. 317.788.3446
jsomers@uindy.edu wheelerl@uindy.edu
Rhonda Helterbrand Lori Love
Administrative Assistant Graduate Financial Aid Coordinator
317.788.6098 317.788.5785
helterbrandr@uindy.edu lovela@uindy.edu
Donna Stephenson
Licensing Advisor, Teacher Education
317.788.4917
dstephenson@uindy.edu