Walden University Launches New MS in Education Specialization in Teacher Leadership

Minneapolis—July 5, 2007—Walden University, an accredited online institution, has launched a new MS in Education specialization in Teacher Leadership, which is designed to enable teachers to elevate their leadership abilities in their schools.

The Teacher Leadership specialization incorporates concepts that are becoming more prevalent in K–12 education, including teacher mentorship and distributed leadership to promote school success. Educators want to assume new leadership roles in their schools and communities, and Walden’s online program will enable them to develop graduate-level expertise without having to leave the classroom.

“This specialization is a way for teachers to develop and grow their leadership skills,” said Jonathan A. Kaplan, JD, interim president of the university. “We need teachers who can speak from their rich experiences and take what they’ve learned to be an advocate in their schools and in their field. That’s what being a master teacher is all about.”

The specialization offers insights into an individual’s personal leadership style and provides teachers with dynamic leadership tools to encourage and mentor their colleagues. Educators will also gain exposure to the latest research and theory to enhance leadership skills.

Unlike leadership programs that are geared to help teachers become principals or administrators, this program is designed to appeal to the teacher whose aspirations are to perfect the art and science of teaching and to use their skills where they matter most—in the classroom. The Teacher Leadership specialization will enable educators to influence learning among students and to exemplify leadership in their classroom, schools and communities to effectively address today’s educational challenges.

“In addition to this new specialization, we are taking the time-honored principles of our MS in Education program and ensuring that they reflect the current state of education,” said Kaplan. “Since our core curriculum is a key component of all our master’s degree programs, it will have an even greater focus on teacher professionalism, cultural and linguistic diversity, supportive learning environments and fundamentals of research and assessment.”

The core courses are designed to promote knowledge and skill while supporting students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds found in today’s classroom; explore the expanding roles of teachers within the profession; enable teachers to create supportive learning communities in the classroom; develop instructional leadership; and provide basic fundamentals and principles of research to improve classroom practices.

For more information on Walden’s MS in Education, go to www.WaldenU.edu.

About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, accredited online university offers master’s and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, public policy and administration, and health and human services, as well as master’s programs in engineering and information technology and a bachelor’s completion program in business. Walden University is a member of the Laureate International Universities network, the largest global network of accredited campus-based and online universities. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org; 1-312-263-0456.