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School of Education & Leadership

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At Shenandoah, we develop leaders who develop other leaders.

Be a Teacher. Be an Administrator. Be a Business Leader. Be a Community Leader.

Today’s educational and organizational environments require well-educated, capable and caring professionals. Our graduate programs are rigorous and competitive. They’re flexible and designed for busy, working adults.

Shenandoah University's School of Education & Leadership prepares practitioner-leaders by offering programs of study that conform to the following principles: practicing in a spirit of collaboration; thoughtful examination of the foundations, current contexts and future possibilities of the fields of study; encouraging proactive, problem-centered philosophies of educational and professional practice; producing graduates who will be knowledge-driven, competent decision-makers whose thinking is informed by reflective practice; and preparing caring, capable and reflective teachers, administrators, human services and public sectors practitioners.

Our master's and doctoral programs are unique in their emphasis on the application of theory to real-world problems and lived experiences. Administration and Supervision Licensure and Teacher Education Licensure programs have each earned accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Graduate Programs

Shenandoah University offers master’s and certificate programs that meet Virginia Department of Education requirements for licensure. Programs are inquiry-driven, problem-oriented and focused on public education foundations through course requirements, internships and field research.

Leadership Studies

Graduate Degrees & Certificates 

PSC Initial Teacher Licensure

Undergrad Programs

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences seeking to become licensed as teachers take courses in the Arts and Sciences as the predominant part of their first two years at the University. Courses that relate to teaching, children, and schools are the predominant part of their third and fourth years in the program. Students in the programs seeking endorsement in elementary or secondary education will be required to declare a major in one of the following liberal arts areas: biology, chemistry, English, history, mathematics, kinesiology (PK-12), or University Studies (PK-8).

Accomplished Faculty Mentors Make The Difference

Our accomplished and caring faculty serve as mentors beyond the classroom. As a team, they prepare you to serve as a compassionate educator, critical thinker and ethical leader. You’ll benefit from small class sizes that enable faculty members to provide individualized attention and nurture your academic and professional development.

SOEL Faculty

I want to be a Teacher

There are many ways to become a teacher at Shenandoah! Whether you're a high school student choosing a major, a graduate student, or a working professional we will work with you towards your Virginia Teacher Licensure. 

I Am A High School Student

Undergraduate students take courses relate to teaching as the predominant part of their third and fourth years in the program.

Students pursuing Secondary Education will declare a major in one of the following biology, business, chemistry, English, history, mathematics. Students pursuing Health & Physical Education will declare a major in kinesiology (PK-12). Students pursuing Elementary/Middle Education will declare a major in University Studies (PK-8).

I Have Earned A Bachelors Degree & Need to Work Towards Licensure

PSC Initial Teacher Licensure programs allow you to complete coursework necessary to earn Virginia licensure (coursework can be adapted for teachers who are provisionally licensed), and gaining hands-on classroom experience student teaching.

I Have Earned A Bachelors Degree & Work Experience

The Career Switcher Program provides an alternative pathway into teaching for individuals who have not completed a teacher preparation curriculum but who have considerable life experiences, career achievements, and academic backgrounds that are relevant for teaching in grade 6 – 12.

If you currently hold a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university and have at least five years of full time work experience or its equivalent, the Career Switcher program may be for you!

I want to be a Leader

At Shenandoah, we develop leaders who develop other leaders.
Be an Administrator. Be a Business Leader. Be a Community Leader.

Study in leadership at Shenandoah University offers learners the opportunity to think deeply about, examine, understand and challenge problems facing educational and other public organizations. The programs are organized around a core of leadership and inquiry courses, complemented by courses in the learner’s concentration and emphasize the application of theory to real world problems and lived experiences.

Learn More About Leadership Studies

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