{"id":17610,"date":"2026-07-28T12:24:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T16:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/?page_id=17610"},"modified":"2026-08-04T09:58:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:58:24","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy<\/h1>\n\n\n<section class=\"cl-wrapper cl-menu-wrapper\"><nav id=\"\" class=\"cl-menu  \" data-name=\"M.A. ELP\" data-show-title=\"0\"><ul id=\"menu-m-a-elp\" class=\"cl-menu-list cl-menu-list-no-js\"><li id=\"menu-item-16088\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16088\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/\">Overview<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16116\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16116\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/curriculum\/\">Curriculum<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16092\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16092\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/clinical-experiences\/\">Clinical Experiences<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16091\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16091\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/admission\/\">Admission<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-17634\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-17634\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/faq\/\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16090\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16090\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/faculty\/\">Faculty<\/a><\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16089\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16089\"><a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/academics\/ma-elp\/contact\/\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/nav><\/section>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"format\">Program Format and Structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the MA-EDL program online?<\/strong><br>The program is delivered fully online, combining synchronous sessions with asynchronous coursework, so candidates can continue working while completing the degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I complete this while working full time?<\/strong><br>Yes. The program is designed for working educators. Coursework, pacing, and the embedded internship model are built around candidates&#8217; current school or district roles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list toc\">\n<li><a href=\"#format\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#format\">Format and Structure<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#admission\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#admission\">Admission and Application<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#tuition\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#tuition\">Tuition and Financial Aid<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#certification\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#certification\">Certification and Reciprocity<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#career\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#career\">Career Outcomes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#differentiation\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#differentiation\">Program Differentiation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#pathways\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#pathways\">Alternative Certification Pathways<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contact\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#contact\">Contact<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How long does the program take?<\/strong><br>The 36-credit program is typically completed over 8 to 9 semesters (approximately 3 years), with start dates available in fall, spring, or summer and a course sequence personalized with the program director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What kind of fieldwork is included?<\/strong><br>Candidates complete more than 500 hours of clinical experience embedded directly in their current school or district, exceeding Rhode Island&#8217;s minimum requirement and matching the higher clinical-hour standard used in Massachusetts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the program approved by RIDE and aligned with state standards?<\/strong><br>Yes. The program is approved by the Rhode Island Department of Education and aligned with the Rhode Island Standards for Educational Leaders (RISEL), NELP standards, and applicable ISTE standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is the program nationally accredited?<\/strong><br>Yes. The program is nationally accredited by AAQEP (Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I&#8217;m interested in becoming a Superintendent or Director of Special Education?<\/strong><br>Candidates can complete additional coursework, EDL 520 (School Plant Planning) for the Superintendent pathway, or EDL 521 (Supervision of Special Education Programs &amp; Services) for the Director of Special Education pathway. See Curriculum for details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"admission\">Admission and Application<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How do I apply?<\/strong><br>Submit a completed application through the URI Graduate School&#8217;s online application portal, selecting the M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What are the admission requirements?<\/strong><br>Three years of professional teaching experience (or three years by the time of certification), a bachelor&#8217;s degree with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation (one from the candidate&#8217;s principal), a Leadership Dispositions Self-Assessment, and a completed application with fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When will admission decisions be made?<\/strong><br>Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis. Review of applications begins approximately three to four weeks after each deadline and continues until all spaces are filled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I transfer graduate credits into the program?<\/strong><br>Up to 6 credits of graduate coursework completed elsewhere may transfer, provided the credits weren&#8217;t used toward a prior degree, were completed at a B (3.0) or better, and are approved by the program director and Graduate School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I don&#8217;t have three years of teaching experience yet?<\/strong><br>Applicants can still apply; exceptional candidates with fewer than three years may be considered. Rhode Island certification itself requires three years of professional experience by the time of certification, regardless of program admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can international applicants apply?<\/strong><br>The program is primarily intended for educators licensed in the United States. International candidates should contact the program director to discuss eligibility and certification pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tuition\">Tuition and Financial Aid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the cost of attending?<\/strong><br>Tuition for 2026\u201327 is $951 per credit for in-state students and $1,852 per credit for out-of-state students.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is regional or reduced tuition available for New England residents?<\/strong><br>This program is not eligible for the New England Regional Student Program (NEBHE), since every New England state already offers a comparable educational leadership and principal certification program, a core eligibility requirement for the Regional Student Program is that the applicant&#8217;s home state does not offer the degree. Out-of-state applicants pay the standard out-of-state rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is financial aid available?<\/strong><br>Students may be eligible for federal financial aid, scholarships, or employer tuition assistance. Visit URI Enrollment Services for eligibility and application details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"certification\">Certification and Reciprocity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does this program lead to principal certification in Rhode Island?<\/strong><br>Yes. Graduates are prepared for PK-12 Building-Level Administrator certification in Rhode Island, with additional coursework available toward Superintendent or Director of Special Education certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Will this certification transfer if I move out of state?<\/strong><br>Rhode Island participates in the NASDTEC Interstate Agreement, which supports certification reciprocity for graduates of RIDE-approved programs across member states. Reciprocity requirements vary by state and may include additional testing, coursework, or experience thresholds; some states also apply different rules to administrator licenses than to classroom teacher licenses. Prospective out-of-state applicants should confirm current requirements directly with the receiving state&#8217;s licensing board.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"career\">Career Outcomes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What can I do with this degree?<\/strong><br>Graduates are prepared for PK-12 school leadership roles such as Principal, Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, Curriculum Leader, or District Administrator, with additional coursework available toward Superintendent or Director of Special Education certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"differentiation\">Program Differentiation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What makes this program different from other leadership programs?<\/strong><br>The program is built around practice-based leadership rather than theory alone. Candidates work through authentic school leadership challenges, embedded fieldwork, and a curriculum grounded in equity, instructional leadership, and data-informed decision-making, aligned to RISEL and NELP standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is any part of the program in person?<\/strong><br>No. The program is delivered fully online, with no on-campus coursework requirement. Courses are completed through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online sessions. Fieldwork and internship experiences take place in the candidate&#8217;s own school or district rather than on campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does this program address AI and emerging technology in school leadership?<\/strong><br>Coursework is informed by URI&#8217;s ongoing work in AI and educational leadership through the K-12 AI Education Collaborative. URI also offers the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/online\/ai-leadership-lab\/\">AI Leadership Lab for School Leaders <\/a>, a standalone professional learning program for principals and assistant principals on leading AI adoption in schools, co-facilitated by the EDL program&#8217;s director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does the program use a cohort model?<\/strong><br>No. Candidates develop a personalized course sequence with the program director and can begin in fall, spring, or summer, allowing more flexibility than a fixed cohort start. Internship seminars are shared with fellow candidates, providing peer community and mutual support during that phase of the program.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do faculty have real school leadership experience?<\/strong><br>The program is led by a full-time program director with more than two decades of K-12 leadership experience and national leadership service as a former President of the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). Coursework is taught by a combination of full-time faculty and qualified part-time instructors, several of whom are practicing school leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pathways\">Alternative Certification Pathways<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does this program support RIDE&#8217;s Expert Residency or Fast-Track pathways?<\/strong><br>Yes. Coursework in the URI EDL program can count toward Rhode Island&#8217;s Expert Residency and Fast-Track Principal Preliminary Certificate pathways. See the Program Handbook for full eligibility and renewal requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"contact\">Contact<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Who do I contact with additional questions?<\/strong><br>Program Director Dan Kelley (daniel.kelley@uri.edu) or Graduate Coordinator Vanessa Lombardi (vlombardi@uri.edu).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy Frequently Asked Questions Program Format and Structure Is the MA-EDL program online?The program is delivered fully online, combining synchronous sessions with asynchronous coursework, so candidates can continue working while completing the degree. Can I complete this while working full time?Yes. The program is designed for working educators. Coursework, pacing, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4629,"featured_media":0,"parent":16031,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-17610","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4629"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17610"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17631,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17610\/revisions\/17631"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}