The program is designed to be completed in four six-month terms (or two years), and culminates in an integrated practicum and capstone experience. Prior to enrollment, applicants will be asked to demonstrate how their exemplary teaching or leadership experience has prepared them for the role of school principal; likewise, applicants will be required to identify a participating school site upon entry into the program. The program will call for students to utilize a school as both a case-study site during the program, and for completion of a six-month practicum experience at the conclusion of the program. Students will interact with each other throughout the program through the use of cohort-based communities of learning and practice.

The Educational Leadership domain consists of eight predominantly performance task-based sub-domains through which students complete a thorough case study analysis of their school site as well as demonstrate their competencies that are aligned with national standards. The culminated practicum experience involves a six-month internship program during which students simultaneously complete an "Action research" project by proposing school-wide improvement initiatives. Students will also engage in a series of administrative and leadership activities employing the use of varied forms of technology, including PDAs and wireless internet for data collection and analysis. Graduates will be able to demonstrate to potential employers their ability to propose, lead, and manage school improvement initiatives for excellence based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis.

The M.S. in Educational Leadership is based on multiple national standards, including the standards of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and the principles of the Baldrige National Quality Program's Education Criteria for Performance Excellence in Schools.