Master of Arts - Urban Leadership

Plan Description

The primary goal of the Urban Leadership M.A. program is to prepare the leaders of education and youth services to manage, organize and reorganize schools, governmental agencies, and non-profits in response to the complex challenges of 21st century society. The Urban Leadership M.A. program strives to engage students in an interdisciplinary approach to creating knowledge and understanding that supports effective policy and governance of urban community organizations.

This integration helps future leaders to expand to their capacity to strategically and positively impact the communities they will serve as indicated. Successful Urban Leadership graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to create a positive organizational culture that effectively engages members of diverse communities; identify issues and take actions focused on producing meaningful and effective change; manage data and use data-driven decision-making in strategic planning of organizational goals and priorities; ensure transparent accountability processes and procedures that foster community trust; model leadership grounded in integrity and ethical behavior; and understand the needs of children in an urban environment.

Learning Outcomes

www.unlv.edu/degree/ma-urban-leadership

Plan Admission Requirements

All applications for admission to the Urban Leadership (UL) program are made to the Graduate College but are reviewed by the UL Admission’s Committee. The committee considers all training and preparation, general abilities, and previous experience. An application form, and official transcripts of all college level work, must be submitted to the Graduate College.

In addition, the applicant should have:

1. An earned bachelor’s degree in an acceptable field of undergraduate study.
2. A GPA of at least 2.75 overall or 3.00 in the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study.
3. At least 3 years of professional experience. Currently individuals who are seeking a Nevada endorsement as an administrator of a school must hold a valid elementary, middle school/junior high, secondary or special teaching license (excluding Business and Industry or special qualifications) and provide evidence of 3-years of teaching experience in K-12 schools approved by the state.
4. A minimum of two letters of nomination that provide evidence related to specific criteria established by program faculty (e.g. evidence of capacity for teamwork; reflective practice).
5. A résumé indicating educational and professional experience sent to the Program.
6. An on-site performance assessment that examines problem finding/solving, data analysis, and writing skills.
7. Individual interview
8. An official transcript from the college or university where the applicant received a bachelor’s degree should be sent to the Program.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 39

Course Requirements 

Required Courses – Credits: 17

ULD 701 - Leading Ethical Organizations 

ULD 705 - Leadership Field Experience I 

ULD 708X – Seminar: Organizational Management

ULD 715 - Leading Learning Organizations 

ULD 730 - Leading in Diverse Communities 

EDA 700 - Special Problems in Educational Administration 

Research Requirements – Credits: 7

PUA 792 - Current Issues in Public Administration 

ULD 710X – Data-based Decision Making in Complex Organizations

EPY 716 - Evaluation Research Methods 

Internship – Credits: 6

ULD 742 - Leadership Field Experience II 

ULD 789 - Leadership Field Experience III 

Specialty Area Courses – Credits: 6

Complete 6 credits from the following courses:

PUA 792 - Current Issues in Public Administration 

PUA 791 - Topics in Administration 

EDA 715 - Issues in Instructional Leadership 

Capstone Experience – Credits: 3

ULD 744 - Leading and Assessing Change in Organizations 

Degree Requirements 

1. The Urban Leadership M.A. requires 39 credits of approved course work. All students entering the program should start with: Leadership Seminar I, a class designed to provide a general overview of the field. With this foundation, the student then embarks upon the rest of the program.
2. All students will meet with an academic advisor and complete a formal degree plan, which must have the approval of the M.P.A. coordinator.
3. Students must obtain a B average in order to graduate. A student can have no more than one grade less than a B-. It is assumed that students working full time and taking courses on a part-time basis can complete the UL program in two years of study.
4. Students complete a project as part of the Leading Organizational Change course that demonstrates application of analytical skills to a community, educational, or non-profit issue. Final demonstration includes proficiency in connecting theory to practice.
5. Nevada Endorsement for School Principal. Students must pass the Praxis II exam. There are four main parts to the UL program: a core set of seminar courses focusing on leadership in urban settings, a set of courses focused on general administrative and management skills; a set of courses that engage students’ analytical skills in problems of practice; and a series of internship experiences in related organizations.

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must complete the capstone experience.