MBA in School Leadership

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Make a difference in kids' lives

The MBA in School Leadership, University of Denver

A cutting-edge MBA program with a specially-designed concentration in education for those seeking to make a change in the world of education

"As a teacher I know how powerful an excellent education can be for kids, but to expand my impact, I needed the right tools to get started.  The MBA in School Leadership is helping me to develop a broad set of skills ranging from organizational and financial management to instructional expertise that will empower me to make effective change by starting and leading an autonomous school."

  - James Cyran, current MBA student

 

The Concept:

The MBA in School Leadership promotes interdisciplinary learning.  Through the collaboration between the Daniels College of Business and Morgridge College, students gain a more diverse and in-depth perspective of educational leadership than those in traditional business or educational programs.  The MBA in School Leadership links a sound business foundation to the educational process.

The MBA curriculum provides a foundation in general management, operations and finance –fundamentals that are critical in opening or managing an autonomous school.  Broad-based business skill training helps with board recruitment, facilities and personal management, school operation and financing.  Our education classes focus on educational leadership, budgeting and finance, curriculum issues and personnel management.

The MBA in School Leadership is specially designed for those seeking to make a change in the world of education through beginning or leading an autonomous school.

Key Benefits:

  • Gain a foundation in general management, operations and instructional leadership.
  • Work collaboratively to build professional skills and maintain passion for high-quality K-12 education options.
  • Learn from top professors, cutting–edge principals and innovative business executives.
  • Effect pattern-breaking social change.
  • Develop transferable broad-based business skills.
  • Earn a competitive salary.
  • For new school founders, Get Smart Schools provides intensive, hands-on support for 5-years after opening.

How It Works:

  • The curriculum of the Full-time MBA in School Leadership is made up of 80 credit hours: 44 credits are MBA Core classes, 12 credits are Compass courses (business and leadership ethics), and the remaining 24 credits are school leadership concentration courses offered through the Morgridge College of Education. The entire curriculum is grounded in Daniels foundation of ethics and corporate social responsibility.         
  • A hands-on residency with one objective: to ensure that leaders have the practical hands-on experience to open and/or manage high performing autonomous schools serving low-income students.  Each student will participate in an extensive residency to help develop a deep working knowledge of effective autonomous school leadership. Areas of study will include teacher hiring, student recruitment and financial management of an autonomous school. 
  • Students will graduate from the program with an MBA and the higher education requirements necessary for principal licensure in the State of Colorado.
  • Program duration: 21 months, full-time.

 

The MBA in School Leadership accepted its first cohort in the spring of 2010. Recruiting has begun to fill 15 seats for the spring 2011 class. Interested applicants should contact and can apply directly to the University of Denver by clicking here.