Master of Catholic School Leadership
The University of Dallas Master of Catholic School Leadership is designed to prepare
you for leadership in Catholic education. Earning your Master's Degree in Catholic
School Leadership will increase your flexibility and marketability, positioning you
for a career as an assistant principal, principal or president of a Catholic school,
an associate superintendent or superintendent, or as a member of diocesan personnel
who affect the various aspects of education (i.e. budget, curricula, development and
school infrastructure, grants for a diocese or state). In addition to serving each
student who passes through your classroom, you will extend your influence to your
school community at large, with a more robust knowledge of the Catholic tradition
and practical, experience-based skills for leadership.
Catholic School teachers who meet all requirements for admission into the MCSL program
have the opportunity to apply for a reduced tuition rate. Currently the Braniff Graduate
School tuition rate is $755 per credit hour. Once MCSL applicants are accepted to
the MCSL program they have the opportunity to apply to for the Braniff Fellow tuition
rate of $480 per credit hour.
Master of Catholic School Leadership Degree Requirements
The Master of Catholic School Leadership consists of 36 credit hours. Students complete
a graduate proseminar, four foundational ministry courses and seven education courses.
There is also an 18-credit hour Certificate of Catholic School Leadership option.
Catholic School Leadership 18-Hour Certificate Requirements
The Certificate in Catholic School Leadership consists of 18 credit hours of foundational
education leadership courses. The required courses are:
- EDU 5342. Foundations of Catholic Education
- EDU 6361. The Catholic School Principal
- EDU 6362. Instructional Leadership
- EDU 6363. Organizational Leadership and Planning
- EDU 6364. Non-Public School Finance and Development
- EDU 6365. Non-Public School Law
Please use the links below to see further details about required courses.
- TNIN 5311. Graduate Proseminar. Required of all first-year students. The course is an introduction to the fields
and methods of theological study for ministerial formation. Registration and active
participation in all sessions constitute completion of the requirement. Proseminar
is offered only in the fall semester – both on campus and online.
- TMIN 5350. Moral Theology. A critical survey of fundamental moral theology, this course includes the distinctiveness
of Christian morality, conscience formation, natural law, moral norms, and decision-making.
It provides an entre into special moral theology, which includes bioethics, environmental
ethics, healthcare ethics, sexual ethics, and social ethics.
- TMIN 5330. Systematic Theology. This course engages students in structured reflection on the Christian communal experience
of faith and how that faith is understood, expressed, and lived out in the Catholic
tradition. It invites dialogue among students and with the formative elements of Catholic
tradition to consider theological method (i.e., How do we do this work properly?),
doctrinal clarity (i.e., What does our formative tradition teach?) and pastoral practice
(i.e., How do theology and pastoral realities influence one another?). Topics of special
focus include revelation and faith, God, the Trinity, Christology, Christian anthropology,
and the theology of the church, including Mary and the saints.
- TMIN 6375. Catechetics and the Development of Faith. This course introduces the history, theology, and practice of catechesis. This includes
the methods, content, and curriculum of contemporary catechesis, with particular focus
on age-appropriateness and faith and its maturation in people.
- Elective Theology/Ministry Course. (3 credit hours). Students consult with their Catholic School Leadership advisor
to choose one 3-hour elective course. Suggested electives include TMIN 5360 Liturgy
and Sacraments, TMIN 5340 Church History, TMIN 5370 Theological Reflection.
- EDU 5342. Foundations of Catholic Education. The purpose of this course is to increase awareness, knowledge, and understanding
of the many complex factors that shape education in Catholic schools. While reading
and reflecting upon relevant primary and secondary sources and engaging in thoughtful,
collegial discussion, the student will explore the history, mission, identity, and
value of Catholic schools. Students will review relevant Church documents, scholarly
texts, and research to evaluate the health of Catholic schools, the effects of Catholic
education, and the values (both promises and perils) of Catholic education in 21st
century America. Special attention will be given to examining trends related to teaching
and learning in Catholic environments, infusing Catholic identity into educational
practice, and constructing a thoughtful, personal philosophy of education.
- EDU 6361. The Catholic School Principal. This course will address the unique mission of the Catholic school and the special
demands placed upon the Catholic school administrator. The specific roles and responsibilities
of an administrator in a Catholic school will be examined. The student will be introduced
to the expectations of the position and the skills and knowledge required to meet
the challenges they present. This study will include an analysis of the principal's
responsibilities in the areas of leadership. Special attention will be paid to the
role of spiritual leader.
- EDU 6362. Instructional Leadership. This course examines the major issues, problems and trends in curriculum and instruction.
This study will include an analysis of the leadership skills required of an administrator
in the areas of instructional supervision, curriculum development, instructional evaluation,
and staff development in a private or parochial school.
- EDU 6363. Organizational Leadership and Planning. This course will examine administrative behavior and organizational structures as
they relate to non-public schools. This examination will include conceptual models
of strategic planning and decision-making.
- EDU 6364. Non-Public School Finance and Development. This course will examine all aspects of the financial management of a private or
parochial school. This examination will include the fiscal planning process, as well
as, the development and implementation of a fiscal plan. The role of development and
public relations will be addressed. Discussion will also include all aspects of budgets,
marketing, fund raising, development strategy and management.
- EDU 6365. Non-Public School Law. This course is a study of the legal issues concerned with the administration of a
Catholic school. Included in this study will be an overview of Constitutional Law:
Civil Law; Personnel Law; Canon Law; State and Federal Regulations; Accreditation
Issues; and Government programs. Participants will be presented with precedent setting
court decisions and case studies will be reviewed and discussed.
- EDU 6366. Catholic School Leadership Internship. A supervised placement specific to Catholic school leadership, ordinarily undertaken
in the last year of study, that provides a structured opportunity to enhance skills
and integrate theoretical knowledge. Interns demonstrate leadership in a Catholic
school environment under the supervision of an appropriate field based mentor. Students
will also meet regularly with a faculty supervisor during the internship experience
to ensure learning outcomes are met. Registration for this course requires prior approval.
What you need to know about the Master of Catholic School Leadership:
- You can earn your Master's in Catholic School Leadership in as little as 2 years,
or take your time to complete the program, in as many as 6 years.
- Courses are taught by University of Dallas faculty and by diocesan and school leaders, providing you the opportunity to both learn about
leadership in Catholic schools and from the leaders who are currently serving Catholic
schools.
- Classes are offered online, in synchronous and a-synchronous formats in the evenings
and summers for busy, working professionals and educators. Coursework includes required
reading, lectures, group work, written papers, as well as written and oral presentations.
- The MSCL internship provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their leadership
skills and apply their ministerial and educational knowledge in a professional context,
guided by a faculty supervisor and field mentor.
- The University of Dallas is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and is in accordance with the
USCCB's standards for certification and accreditation.
- Find out how much this degree costs through our Office of Financial Aid. Reduced tuition is available.
Ready to take the next step?
It is simple to apply to the University of Dallas. We emphasize experience as well
as academic record in the application review process, and we do not require a GRE
score. Our Catholic School Leadership Program Director can take you through the application
process step-by-step and guide you on your path toward leadership in Catholic schools.
To be considered for the Master of Catholic School Leadership, students must meet
the following requirements in addition to the general admissions requirements:
- Two (2) years of teaching experience in a catholic school.
- Letter of reference from a supervisor.
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