Educational Leadership

Breiseth • 800-WILKES U, x4671 (T) • 570-408-4905 (F) • Email

prepares candidates to work within the K-12 educational community by fostering professional knowledge and skills to meet the needs of a changing future. The program develops individual strengths and capacities for leadership.

It values diversity and community and supports intellectual growth within an interactive social and academic network. Wilkes promotes a collaborative relationship between faculty and participants in support of the University's mission.

for principals. As a result of new PDE guidelines, program requirements have recently changed and are subject to further revision until the program receives final approval. The EDLS program requires 36 credits to obtain the degree and certification.

Candidates will be recommended for K-12 principal certification upon successful completion of: the program of study, the PDE required principal certification exam (Praxis 6011) administered by ETS, and 5 years of professional school experience. Students should follow the course sequence listed in order to complete all necessary requirements.

"Certification only" is available to students who already possess a master's degree from Wilkes or another accredited institution; however, all program requirements of the EDLS degree must be met. The total number of credits needed for certification is determined after an individual transcript review is completed by the director. For students beginning the EDLS program Fall 2010 or later the "certification only" option requires 27 credits.

Please contact the Graduation Education department for Educational Leadership requirements for students accepted prior to Fall 2010.

Review the Educational Leadership requirements for students accepted Fall 2010 or later.

Review the Principal Program Student Handbook

Students who would like to participate in a Fall 2011 cohort must apply and be admitted with all Phase 1 credentials submitted by three weeks before the start date of the course.

To apply you must

1. Be a new applicant to the EDLS program at Wilkes.
2. Complete the EDLS Application process.
3. Contact the Graduate Education department to indicate your intention to enroll, Dr. Mary Kropiewnicki.

After completing the application steps, and being admitted with all Phase 1 credentials, candidates will receive registration forms for the residency and the two courses--ED 517 and ED 523. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the program after all admissions materials are received and reviewed.

Qualifications for Admission include

Teaching Experience: The applicant must provide evidence in the application of compliance with PA state requirements with at least three years of full-time teaching experience completed at the time of admission.

Phase 1 Checklist – All items must be submitted no later than three weeks before the start of the class. Applicant files will be reviewed and students notified of provisional admission status prior to the start of class. Students not meeting minimum requirements will not be permitted to begin class.

Required Items
Graduate Application (Submit Online)
Compile all documents below (Admissions Portfolio) and send to Wilkes in one envelope. Individual items will not be accepted.
•Two Recommendations - one Professional and one leadership
•Official Sealed Transcripts in original envelopes
•Copy of Teaching Certificate
•Educational Philosophy Essay
•1-page Essay on "How Principals Shape Learning in Their Schools"

*Wilkes will not be held responsible for documents not addressed to the proper office.

Send your Phase 1 Admissions Portfolio to:
Student Service Center
Wilkes University
84 West South Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766

Questions about admissions documentation should be directed to the Graduate Education department.

Upon completion of the online application you will be given a Wilkes Identification Number (WIN) and other information that will allow you to log into the Wilkes Portal.

The Portal gives students the ability to register for courses online, view and print grades and unofficial transcripts, make use of the online library services and see other information that is pertinent to Wilkes University graduate students.

Be sure to make note of your WIN and other important information.

You can always log into the Wilkes University Portal by going to mywilkes.wilkes.edu.

To learn more about Wilkes graduate education programs and see a link to the current schedule, please visit www.wilkes.edu/GradEd.