Pasco County teachers seeking a certificate or master’s degree in educational
leadership will be encouraged to enroll at The University of Tampa
The University of Tampa (UT) announced a partnership this week with Pasco County Schools that will provide Pasco educators interested in taking leadership roles a path to pursue either a certification in educational leadership or a master’s degree in educational leadership.
According to the agreement, the partnership is intended to “increase the supply of effective school leaders in public schools in Florida, and to produce school leaders who are prepared to lead the state’s diverse student population in meeting high standards for academic achievement.”
UT’s Level I Educational Leadership Program has been approved by the Florida Department of Education that it is competency-based and aligned to the principal leadership standards that lead to the Level 1 Educational Leadership State Certification. Its Master of Education in Educational Leadership (M.Ed.-EDL) is a cutting-edge degree program that engages candidates in experiential tasks directly aligned with the Florida Principal Leadership Standards and the Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE). The program caters to working professionals by offering flexible scheduling options such as traditional, weekend and hybrid instructional models.
Colleen Beaudoin, chair of the Department of Education and member of the Pasco County School Board, said that this is a unique and exciting opportunity for Pasco teacher leaders. “UT is offering high-quality flexible options for teachers who want to earn a master’s degree as well as for those who already have a graduate degree and need only the additional coursework for their certification,” she said. “UT’s Department of Education is committed to providing quality programs and working with our community partners.”
For the certificate in educational leadership, qualified Pasco County teachers will:
- Be able to enroll in courses embedded in the UT M.Ed.-EDL program that meet the appropriate competencies and skills required for the Level 1 Educational Leadership State Certification
- Be admitted as UT M.Ed.-EDL non-degree seeking students and will be charged the university non-degree tuition rate
For the master’s degree in educational leadership, qualified Pasco County teachers will:
- Be admitted as matriculated students into the degree program
- Be guaranteed admission into the UT M.Ed.-EDL program, granted they earned an education bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by the Council for the Association of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our teachers who are interested in leadership positions in our school district,” said Kurt Browning, Pasco Superintendent of Schools. “The UT Education Leadership Program is top-notch. This partnership will benefit our school district for years to come as we cultivate new leaders to take us into the future.”
UT’s education programs, including the M.Ed.-EDL, are reviewed and approved by the Florida Department of Education. The department is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
For more information about UT’s partnership with Pasco County Schools, contact UT’s Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies at (813) 253-6249 or email [email protected]. For more information about UT’s M.Ed.-EDL program, click here.
The University of Tampa is a private, comprehensive university located on 110 acres on the riverfront in downtown Tampa. Known for academic excellence, personal attention and real-world experience in its undergraduate and graduate programs, the University serves approximately 9,600 students from 50 states and 130 countries. The majority of full-time students live on campus, and about half of UT students are from Florida.
