Independent School Leadership (M.Ed.)

The ISL Curriculum is Centered around ten themes:

• Leadership and Learning Independent Schools
• Institutional Advancement in Independent Schools
• Systematic Inquiry for School Leaders
• Innovations in Learning
• Organizational and Human Capital Development for Independent Schools
• Independent School Finance, History and Governance
• Admissions and Financial Aid for Independent Schools
• Leadership and the Learning Spectrum
• Social Emotional Learning and Well-being
• Historic and Legal Dimension of Independent Schools

Students will engage will all themes through a series of online three-credit courses, in-person modules on campus, and a site-based action research project.  To help you manage, lead, and implement change in independent school systems, the ISL curriculum explores the core leadership competencies that you'll need to elevate your skills, knowledge, and expertise, wherever you are in your career. Throughout your coursework, you will strengthen your ability to:

• Lead change and think strategically
• Foster productive organizational conditions for all stakeholders
• Navigate the intersection of theory and practice
• Communicate effectively across school domains

On-campus experiences: Students will convene for two on-campus sessions each summer, at which you will be immersed in the Peabody community and connect with your cohort, faculty, and advisers. Summer sessions integrate four credit hours and eight days of coursework.

In-person convenings: In the fall and spring semester, students will convene for a weekend in Nashville for their action research coursework.

The ISL Program Time Commitment

Courses combine synchronous meetings and asynchronous work and assignments. Live or synchronous aspects of required courses will occur on weekdays for 90 minutes (Monday-Friday) between 6 and 9 p.m. ET, or on Saturday mornings. On average, this degree requires 12 to 14 hours of work per week, though the weekly commitment will vary by term, courses taken, and students' own work styles. Students can expect to spend approximately three hours per week in synchronous online class sessions with faculty members and classmates. The remaining hours will be spent working independently on asynchronous course materials, in self-scheduled small-group work with other students, or working on assignments and action research projects.

Weekly Time Commitment

To complete the blended M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership, students must complete 30 total credit hours of coursework over the fifteen-month program. Although the weekly time commitment varies by term, course, and student work style, the table below provides a snapshot of the estimated weekly time commitment students may experience during the fall and spring semesters, when they will typically take 7 credits, the equivalent of two courses and action research requirements.

On-campus experiences: Students will convene for two on-campus sessions each summer, at which you will be immersed in the Peabody community and connect with your cohort, faculty, and advisers. Summer sessions integrate four credit hours and eight days of coursework.

In-person convenings: In the fall and spring semester, students will convene for a weekend in Nashville for their action research coursework.

The ISL Program Time Commitment

Courses combine synchronous meetings and asynchronous work and assignments. Live or synchronous aspects of required courses will occur on weekdays for 90 minutes (Monday-Friday) between 6 and 9 p.m. ET, or on Saturday mornings. On average, this degree requires 12 to 14 hours of work per week, though the weekly commitment will vary by term, courses taken, and students' own work styles. Students can expect to spend approximately three hours per week in synchronous online class sessions with faculty members and classmates. The remaining hours will be spent working independently on asynchronous course materials, in self-scheduled small-group work with other students, or working on assignments and action research projects.

Weekly Time Commitment

To complete the blended M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership, students must complete 30 total credit hours of coursework over the fifteen-month program. Although the weekly time commitment varies by term, course, and student work style, the table below provides a snapshot of the estimated weekly time commitment students may experience during the fall and spring semesters, when they will typically take 7 credits, the equivalent of two courses and action research requirements.