What is the purpose of this program?
This program is for teachers who want to become principals and/or other administrators in education settings. Students who complete the BYU School Leadership Program will receive a Masters in Education degree (MEd) as well as preparation and clearance to apply for an administrative license in Utah.
How many years of teaching experience do I need to apply to the School Leadership Program?
You need to have three years of teaching experience with a current level 2 license in Utah (or its equivalent).
When are applications due?
Applications are due February 15th.
Where and how do I turn in my application?
Apply for the BYU MEd School Leadership Program online at the BYU Grad Studies website by the due date.
How many people are accepted into the program each year?
We accept 30-40 students each year.
How much does the program cost?
Tuition is BYU’s normal graduate tuition rate.
Is my undergraduate major degree appropriate for this program?
If you have a Level 2 teaching license and at least a 3.0 GPA from the last 60 hours of course work, any undergraduate degree is appropriate.
How can I get help with tuition costs?
Refer to the Financial Aid Information on our website for more information.
How many internship hours are required for graduation?
You need to complete at least 250 internship hours in order to graduate. 100 hours must be in an elementary school, 100 hours in a secondary school, and the remaining 50 hours can be elementary, secondary, or at a district office.
Can I intern at the school where I am currently teaching?
Yes, you may do up to 100 internship hours in your resident school where you are currently teaching. Your principal will be your mentor principal.
What if I am already working full-time as a TSA, TAA, coach or in another full-time position in a school? Can I get internship credit for my work?
If you are working full-time or part-time in an administrative capacity at a school or in the district, we can certainly work with you to give credit towards your internship hours.
Can I have a say in where I do my administrative internship?
Yes, you have the flexibility to have input into your internship locations. We hope that you will work actively with your internship supervisor to identify potential internship locations that fit your needs. To make your school internship easier, we try to place you close to your home or current school.
Who should I have write my letters of recommendation?
You must have 3 letters of recommendation in your application. When you list these recommenders on your BYU Grad Studies application, BYU will contact them to submit their recommendations online.
- One of your letters of recommendation must be from your current principal or supervisor.
- One of your letters must be from a supervisor, team leader, former administrator, or others who have functioned in a leadership capacity over you and have an intimate knowledge of your educational experience.
- Your third letter should be from someone from education who is familiar with and can speak to your leadership capabilities.
- Letters of recommendation from ecclesiastical leaders are not recommended.
What if English is my second language?
Students for whom English is a second language will need to take the TOEFL. Scores will be evaluated by the Graduate Studies office for both ELL and international students.
What do I do about the ecclesiastical recommendation if I am not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
A non-LDS student should be endorsed by (1) his or her local ecclesiastical leader if the student is an active member of a congregation, (2) the bishop of the LDS ward in which he or she currently resides, or (3) the nondenominational BYU chaplain.