In the UNH online Master of Science in Instruction and Leadership degree, you will learn research-based techniques to collaborate with peers to create positive change and promote increased success for students and schools.
For this program, students transfer in 24 UNH CPS post-baccalaureate teacher certification credits and then take four courses to complete the final 12 credits. Total of 36 credits.
Credit Hours: 36 | Program Length: Finish in 18 months or sooner | Tuition Cost
What is Instruction and Leadership?
The Master of Science in Instruction and Leadership is designed as a capstone degree for UNH CPS Post Baccalaureate teacher certification completers interested in improving their effectiveness as a teacher and who want to become effective teacher leaders who are focused on the improved learning of their PK-12 students. Graduate students in this program learn from research-based techniques to collaborate with peers to create positive change and to promote increased student success.
Throughout the online Master's in Instruction and Leadership (MSIL) program, students design and implement an action research project to meet a specific need of their school community.
Why study Instruction and Leadership at UNH College of Professional Studies?
Did you receive your Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification from UNH College of Professional Studies or the former Granite State College? Our online M.S. Instruction and Leadership program builds upon our Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification (PBTC) program to support students teaching in PK-12 classrooms. The program prepares you to be a teacher leader committed to improving specific learning outcomes. Further, students who received their PBTC from UNH CPS (formerly Granite State College) are eligible for a tuition discount when applying for our M.S. in Instruction and Leadership. To learn more about our tuition discount, please reach out to the Student Accounts Office.
Potential career areas
- Instructional Coach
- Grade Level Team Leader
Course Highlights
- Leadership Essentials: Evaluation of Teaching and Learning
- Leadership Essentials to Develop and Sustain a Professional Culture
- Capstone Project I: Leadership Essentials to Strategically Think, Plan, Implement and Evaluate
- Capstone II: Leadership Essentials to Strategically Think, Plan, Implement and Evaluate a Teacher Leadership
A Unique Model for Teacher Preparation
The Center for Educator Preparation at the UNH College of Professional Studies offers a unique, personalized experience with a team of dedicated faculty. Flexible online programs designed for working adults allow teacher candidates to work full time and pursue teacher certification simultaneously.
Opportunities to Advance
The UNH College of Professional Studies offers a seamless transition from undergraduate to graduate study. Designed for the working adult, UNH CPS offers graduate certificates and master’s degrees delivered online by scholars-practitioner faculty. Receive a supportive, world-class education that fits your lifestyle, goals, and budget.
Why UNH CPS?
This is a 36-credit graduate degree and requires a College of Professional Studies Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification. It applies 24-credits from your Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification to the master’s program, and completes with 12 leadership credits.
- Regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE)
- Available fully online with select on campus courses
- Affordable tuition
- Career counseling is available to all students and alumni. We also extend this service to those considering their college options
- Faculty who are subject matter experts and share their real-world expertise, to help you apply what you learn to your personal goals and career
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Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis, offering the opportunity to begin studies at the College of Professional Studies at any term during the year. Our admissions criteria includes:
A UNH CPS Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification Program is a required foundation for this master’s program. Twenty-four (24) post baccalaureate credits can be used toward our 36-credit M.S. in Instruction and Leadership. Individuals who earned fewer than 24 qualified credits will be required to complete additional graduate coursework at UNH CPS.
Because a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification from UNH CPS is a required foundation for this program, it may impact your ability to apply. Programs leading to teacher certification or licensure are available to new students in New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont.
The admission requirements to the M.S. in Instruction and Leadership include:
- Bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA average in the last 60 credit hours, or Graduate Degree completed from a regionally accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA minimum overall.
- Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification from the UNH College of Professional Studies: 24 of your PBTC will be applied towards the 36-credit M.S. in Instruction and Leadership. Applicants who earned fewer than 24 qualified credits can simply complete additional graduate coursework to become eligible.
- Official transcripts for all previous college work
- Transcripts from other countries will need to be translated and evaluated prior to full acceptance
- 500-1000 word statement which includes professional goals and aspirations, motivation for applying for the degree, and relevant formal or informal experiences. The statement is evaluated on applicant’s writing and its content alignment with the program’s purpose and outcomes
- (2) professional or academic references
Contact information for your references is submitted via the admission application. This will generate an email inviting your references to complete a short questionnaire to assess your candidacy. A formal letter of recommendation is not required; however, your references are welcome to upload one within the questionnaire. - Current Resume
Curriculum & Requirements
The Master of Science in Instruction and Leadership is designed as a capstone degree for UNH CPS Post Baccalaureate teacher certification completers interested in improving their effectiveness as a teacher and who want to become effective teacher leaders who are focused on the improved learning of their PK-12 students. Graduate students in this program learn from research-based techniques to collaborate with peers to create positive change and to promote increased student success.
Degree Requirements
Minimum Credit Requirement: 36 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 12 credits must be taken UNH
Minimum GPA Requirement: 3.0
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major in Instruction and Leadership 1 | ||
| Specialization Component 2 | 24 | |
| EDC 890 | Leadership Essentials: Evaluation of Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| EDC 891 | Leadership Essentials to Develop and Support a Professional Culture | 3 |
| EDC 892 | Capstone Project I: Leadership Essentials to Strategically Think, Plan, Implement & Evaluate | 3 |
| Integrative Capstone: | ||
| EDC 893 | Capstone Project II: Leadership Essentials to Strategically Think, Plan, Implement, & Evaluate | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
A minimum grade of B- is required in all coursework.
- 2
The Specialization Component of this program is made up of 24 graduate credits and may include an approved post baccalaureate and/or an approved graduate content area. Contact your program director to determine your Specialization Component for this program.
Students will have the opportunity to:
- Develop and support a dynamic teaching and learning environment;
- Promote and support professional school culture to nurture all learners;
- Utilize leadership skills from a teacher-leader perspective to design, plan, and implement ongoing action research.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Term 1 - September 1; Term 2 - November 1
- Spring: Term 3 - February 1; Term 4 - April 1
- Summer: Term 5 - June 1
- Special: N/A
Application Fee: Application fee waived for CPS Online applicants.
Campus: Online
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of Recommendation: 2 Required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Resume
A current resume is required with your submitted application.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Tuition Savings for Post-Baccalaureate Alumni
Did you receive your Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification from the College of Professional Studies? If so, you may be eligible for a tuition discount when you apply to our M.S. in Instruction Leadership.
Learn About Our M.S. Instruction and Leadership Tuition Discount