ORU’s Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Teaching and Educational Leadership equips you with the knowledge, skills, and disposition to make a lasting impact in K–12 education. Grounded in research, this Spirit-empowered program prepares you to teach, lead, and inspire with excellence in today’s classrooms and schools.
Students choose from the following concentrations:
Through research-based coursework and practical, real-world application, you’ll strengthen your instructional practice, grow as a leader, and transform learning environments with excellence and purpose.
Start your graduate education journey at ORU today!
Experience hands-on learning, face-to-face interaction, and vibrant community life
at our main campus. Join live, scheduled classes online with real-time interaction and a structured learning
environment. Access coursework anytime, anywhere—perfect for self-paced learning and flexible schedules.
Flexible Study Options
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When you serve, you have to be careful not to exhaust the people at the expense of actually serving them. At ORU, we focus so much on meeting the needs of those we serve and leaving them better than we found them.
California
This concentration equips aspiring school administrators with the leadership, management,
and policy skills needed to serve as principals or other building-level leaders in
K–12 schools. Upon completion of the program, graduates have the opportunity to apply
for certification. Applicants must complete the program, all key assessments and benchmarks
included in the program, and pass the designated certification exams required by the
state of Oklahoma. Because Oklahoma participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement,
candidates are eligible to transfer their certificate to other member states, pending
that state’s specific requirements. This concentration prepares classroom teachers to deepen their expertise in literacy
instruction by emphasizing the science of reading and effective instructional coaching.
Candidates learn how to guide and support fellow educators, refine literacy practices,
and use data-informed strategies to strengthen student learning and outcomes. Through
collaboration and reflective coaching grounded in servant leadership and a biblical
worldview, candidates learn to support teachers, analyze learning data, and empower
learners to reach their God-given potential. Upon completion of the program, graduates
have the opportunity to apply for certification. Applicants must complete the program,
all key assessments and benchmarks included in the program, and pass the designated
certification exams required by the state of Oklahoma. Because Oklahoma participates
in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, candidates are eligible to transfer their certificate
to other member states, pending that state’s specific requirements. This concentration prepares educators to become effective instructional coaches across
content areas, including literacy and mathematics, with an emphasis on applying research-based
practices to improve teaching and learning. Candidates develop the skills to support
and guide teachers through collaborative coaching, model effective instructional strategies,
and use student data to inform practice and professional growth. This concentration allows educators to customize their studies by integrating coursework
from multiple disciplines, equipping them to address the many educational challenges
with creativity and innovation. This concentration prepares candidates for careers in education through both Initial
and Alternative Certification pathways, equipping them with the pedagogical skills
and content knowledge necessary for effective classroom instruction. The Initial Certification
pathway offers comprehensive preparation for future educators, culminating in a full-time
student teaching semester that fulfills Oklahoma licensure requirements through practical,
hands-on experience. Upon completing all program requirements, key assessments, and
state certification exams, graduates may apply for licensure. Because Oklahoma participates
in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, candidates may transfer their certification to
other member states, pending each state’s requirements. The Alternative Certification
pathway provides a streamlined route to licensure in Oklahoma, designed for candidates
seeking to meet the state’s unique educational standards and workforce needs.
Concentrations
Building-Level Leadership
Reading Specialist & Literacy Coaching
Curriculum & Instructional Coaching
Interdisciplinary
Teaching
This concentration equips aspiring school administrators with the leadership, management,
and policy skills needed to serve as principals or other building-level leaders in
K–12 schools. Upon completion of the program, graduates have the opportunity to apply
for certification. Applicants must complete the program, all key assessments and benchmarks
included in the program, and pass the designated certification exams required by the
state of Oklahoma. Because Oklahoma participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement,
candidates are eligible to transfer their certificate to other member states, pending
that state’s specific requirements.
This concentration prepares classroom teachers to deepen their expertise in literacy
instruction by emphasizing the science of reading and effective instructional coaching.
Candidates learn how to guide and support fellow educators, refine literacy practices,
and use data-informed strategies to strengthen student learning and outcomes. Through
collaboration and reflective coaching grounded in servant leadership and a biblical
worldview, candidates learn to support teachers, analyze learning data, and empower
learners to reach their God-given potential. Upon completion of the program, graduates
have the opportunity to apply for certification. Applicants must complete the program,
all key assessments and benchmarks included in the program, and pass the designated
certification exams required by the state of Oklahoma. Because Oklahoma participates
in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, candidates are eligible to transfer their certificate
to other member states, pending that state’s specific requirements.
This concentration prepares educators to become effective instructional coaches across
content areas, including literacy and mathematics, with an emphasis on applying research-based
practices to improve teaching and learning. Candidates develop the skills to support
and guide teachers through collaborative coaching, model effective instructional strategies,
and use student data to inform practice and professional growth.
This concentration allows educators to customize their studies by integrating coursework
from multiple disciplines, equipping them to address the many educational challenges
with creativity and innovation.
This concentration prepares candidates for careers in education through both Initial
and Alternative Certification pathways, equipping them with the pedagogical skills
and content knowledge necessary for effective classroom instruction. The Initial Certification
pathway offers comprehensive preparation for future educators, culminating in a full-time
student teaching semester that fulfills Oklahoma licensure requirements through practical,
hands-on experience. Upon completing all program requirements, key assessments, and
state certification exams, graduates may apply for licensure. Because Oklahoma participates
in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, candidates may transfer their certification to
other member states, pending each state’s requirements. The Alternative Certification
pathway provides a streamlined route to licensure in Oklahoma, designed for candidates
seeking to meet the state’s unique educational standards and workforce needs.
Degree Path
The College of Education offers 50% off tuition for anyone employed full-time at a
Christian school or an Oklahoma public school for up to 6 semesters. Explore our graduate
financial aid page to discover scholarship opportunities designed to support your
education journey.
Tuition and Scholarships
Through the teaching and educational leadership graduate program, you'll be equipped for careers such as:
Classes are taught in a hybrid, modular format consisting of 2½ days of face-to-face
sessions, Thursday evening through Saturday afternoon, accompanied by online pre-
and post-assignments. Fall sessions are held in September, October, and November; spring sessions are held
in January, February, and March. This 35.5 to 36.5 hour, non-cohort program is designed
to be completed in a minimum of two years. Admission is continuous, with program entry
at any point in the fall or spring. This program emphasizes practice over theory, integrating practical post-assignments
that directly connect coursework to your professional setting. Each project is designed
to address real-world challenges in your workplace, allowing you to apply research,
leadership, and problem-solving skills in meaningful, hands-on ways. You’ll learn from highly qualified faculty who bring extensive experience as educators,
administrators, and researchers, and who genuinely care about your personal and professional
success. Through Spirit-empowered teaching and mentorship, they model the heart of
transformational leadership, guiding you to grow in both excellence and purpose. As part of the program, candidates complete comprehensive exams that assess their
mastery of key concepts, leadership principles, and research-based practices gained
throughout their coursework. These exams ensure graduates demonstrate the depth of
knowledge and professional readiness expected of advanced educational leaders. The College of Education is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation
of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and by the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and
Accountability (OEQA). It is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Teacher
Education (AACTE).
Program Features
Internships are thoughtfully tailored to align with each student’s goals and strengths,
providing meaningful, hands-on practice that prepares them for the dynamic demands
of today’s schools.
ORU’s teaching and educational leadership faculty are experienced educators and leaders
passionate about preparing Spirit-empowered teachers. With expertise in K–12 education,
curriculum, administration, and research, they bring practical skills and a strong
Christian worldview to every classroom.
MEET YOUR FACULTY
