Masters
Part-Time Only
Fall
Online
About the Catholic Principal Preparation Program at Loyola
The work of Catholic schools—and their leaders—is central to the mission of the church. It takes a well-prepared, skilled school principal to navigate the complex challenges of helping fulfill that mission.
Loyola University Chicago's MEd in Principal Preparation Program empowers you to meet these challenges and promote the spiritual, academic, and social growth of students in Catholic schools.
Delivered through a Jesuit, Catholic university, our distinguished program will teach you the unique aspects of Catholic school principalship, focusing on instructional leadership, enrollment management, development, and other aspects central to your success as a leader.
Program Structure
The Catholic Principal Preparation MEd is a part-time, two-year program, including summers, that leads to a master's degree in administration & supervision and Illinois Principal Licensure eligibility. Classes are held online.
Why Choose Loyola's Principal Preparation Program?
Where better to prepare to become a successful, highly effective Catholic school principal than through a Jesuit, Catholic university? From our distinguished principal coaching model to our rigorous, faith-infused curriculum, you will experience numerous factors that set Loyola apart from other principal preparation programs.
- A unique coaching model
- Licensure eligibility
- Optional study abroad course
- Rooted in Jesuit tradition and Catholic values
- Yearlong internship at a Catholic school in Illinois
- Scholarships for Catholic educators
Receive training and support from a qualified team of faculty and administrators. Under our distinctive coaching model, you will be assigned a support team that includes a university faculty supervisor, coordinator of coaches, internship mentor principal, and internship coach. Our approach ensures you have the support and experiences you need to lead Catholic schools.
Earn the credentials you need for leadership jobs at Catholic schools in Chicago, the state of Illinois, and beyond. At the end of the program, you will receive your master's of education degree and be eligible for Illinois Principal Licensure, pending successful completion of the IL licensure exams 195 and 196.
Develop global leadership perspectives through a two-week summer course at Loyola University's campus in Rome. This optional course is an excellent opportunity for meeting Catholic educators and leaders from around the world while exploring a city rich in history and religious significance.
Learn mission-driven leadership at a mission-driven institution. Rooted in the Catholic faith and the characteristics of a Jesuit education, Loyola University Chicago has a long history of producing successful, spiritual educational leaders. Catholic identity is also infused throughout the coursework for the master's of education principal preparation program to help you evolve into a faith-based instructional leader.
Apply what you have learned in an internship. Internships are in successful Catholic schools in Chicago and Illinois help you learn the unique aspects of principalship in faith-based settings.
Apply for a scholarship to cover part of your master's in education program. Members of a Catholic educator cohort who demonstrate financial need are eligible for a scholarship through the Andrew M. Greeley Center for Catholic Education.
Meet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the School of Education faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online program.
FacultySchool Principalship: Career Connections
Our master's of education program prepares you for leadership jobs at Catholic schools throughout the state of Illinois. Many of our graduates become principals of schools, but you can also assume other administrative or director positions.
Specific job options include:
- Catholic school principal
- Head of school
- Assistant principal
- Director of religious education
- Director of curriculum
- Education policy analyst
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the pay potential for specific roles and jobs at Catholic schools.
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2023-2024 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMEd Catholic Principal Preparation Program Results and Skills
In addition to receiving your master's in education and eligibility for Illinois Principal Licensure, the Loyola program will equip you with a range of skills to help you succeed as a school principal, including:
- Educational leadership
- Curriculum development
- Financial management
- Data-based decision making
- Human resource management
- Research
- Advocacy
- Spiritual development
- Policy analysis
- Student assessment/evaluation
- Problem solving
- Strategic planning
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or recent alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online totals $33825.00, or 33 credit hours at a cost of $1,025.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
School of Education Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit the School of Education Scholarships page for detailed information about eligible scholarships.
More information about financial aid opportunities can be found on the Financial Aid Office website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe School of Education offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall: Rolling applications
Priority: February 1
General: April 15
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online include:
Official Transcripts
3.0 Minimum GPA
Licensure
Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose
Work Experience
Statement of Purpose Details
Your statement should be 1-3 pages and describe your academic and research interests, professional goals, and life experiences that have influenced your view of social justice.
Official Documents
Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Educational Leadership for Principal Preparation MEd: Catholic Principal Preparation for ISBE Endorsement Online program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY