M.Ed. Culturally Responsive Leadership Concentration

The culturally-responsive and community-based leadership concentration of the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership program is a 30-credit-hour program designed to prepare school and community leaders with foundational theory, research and skills related to culturally responsive and community-based leadership. Curriculum will focus on leadership and understanding and mitigating power imbalances related to race, ethnicity, culture and/or class, as well as establishing policies and practices that nurture an anti-racist organizational climate.

Additional topics include dimensions of human diversity, community and youth-based activism and praxis; immigration and adaptation; gender and power; ableism; children and youth; social inclusion; health disparities; poverty; racism; colonization; and inequality. 

This program offers:

  • The opportunity to gain leadership development for positions in multiple areas (youth development, program management, research and policy analysis; equity and community engagement officers; school and district-level leaders; nonprofit management and development related to education)
  • The opportunity to leverage practices of critical inquiry in promotion of equitable educational environments
  • The opportunity to apply leadership skills that engage internal and external communities in mutually beneficial ways
  • The opportunity to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and skills in culturally responsive leadership
  • Access to experienced faculty and instructor practitioners
  • Online and face-to-face options*

Designed for full-time students and working professionals, this program can be completed in as little as 16 months. Students will exit the program prepared to enact culturally-responsive and sustaining leadership approaches in K12 schools and school-supporting organizations.

*Online and in-person cohorts are determined by accepted student preference in late spring. The online application includes a program modality question that aids in our ability to identify interest and need in the different learning modalities.

Our online classes involve a combination of synchronous and asynchronous work. When registering, you can find specific details about the dates and times for synchronous sessions in the course description section. Your synchronous sessions for each class will be scheduled on either Tuesdays or Thursdays within the hours of 4-8 p.m., following an every other week schedule for about an hour to an hour and a half (no more than two hours).

Please keep in mind exact course requirements may vary, so consult your adviser or the program coordinator with any questions.

CONCENTRATION/VCU BULLETIN INFO

PROGRAM BASICS

How to apply: Graduate application
Semester of entry: Fall
Application deadline: April 1

Late applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Resources and Checklists

M.Ed. Educational Leadership Checklist Updated Jan 2024 (PDF)

Please note, we suggest you identify the best concentration for your future career and connect with our Enrollment Management team and/or program coordinator if you have questions. Each application requires an individual application fee.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

    1. Clarify your motivations and goals for pursuing a graduate degree in Culturally Responsive Leadership.
    2. Provide examples from your professional and/or personal experiences that further illustrate your objectives.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Transcripts from previous academic work; upload resume or CV

FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO

Additional Concentrations

Ready To Get Started?

Brandon Norris, Recruitment And Enrollment Counselor