The Instructional Leadership and Academic Leadership (ILAC) graduate degrees are designed to expand and deepen the content knowledge and pedagogic practices of K-12 educators. While many of our graduate degree programs in the ILAC department have a content specific focus, the ILAC graduate degree programs are interdisciplinary in nature allowing for flexibility and an individualized focus. For example, one recent graduate of this program combined a focus on teaching mathematics and teaching reading at the elementary level within the ILAC master’s degree. Other recent graduates of this program are currently teaching French, Spanish or other languages in a K-12 setting.
In this program area students work closely with their faculty advisor to determine the appropriate coursework and experiences needed to reach both their program and career goals.
Core: 12 hours
Thesis: EDUC 5980
Non-Thesis: EDUC 6930 or EDUC 5972
Visit the Course Catalog for course descriptions.
ILAC also offers one professional master’s degree leading to reading specialist certification. Those requirements (32 hours, portfolio, certification test) can be seen on the Reading Specialist Masters program at this link.
The master's degree requires completion of 36 semester credit hours of graduate coursework. Approximately 15 hours of coursework are taken as part of the course instructional requirement. The remaining credit hours will be completed in the specialty area. All students must successfully complete a thesis, project, or comprehensive examination.
The thesis option requires a written paper and oral defense as fulfillment of the final evaluation. The project will require a written paper that will be a descriptive problem related to the individual's professional field. Projects willl be evaluated by the area faculty. Comprehensive examination questions will be determined and evaluated by area faculty.
Applicants for programs leading to the Master of Education degree in the Department of Instructional Leadership must present the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Science in any discipline as conferred by the University of Oklahoma or the equivalent, and meet all the prerequisites for graduate courses.
Prospective students are encouraged to seek additional information by contacting the college graduate programs officer, Mike Jenkins, or the department chair, Dr. Kristy Brugar.
The Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum graduate degree for Advanced Programs is designed to expand and deepen the content knowledge and pedagogic practices of educators and trainers. The ILAC graduate degree program for AP is interdisciplinary in nature allowing for flexibility. This program will provide students with face-to-face interaction with program faculty on-site. Each course will meet on-site for one-week and students will be engaged in coursework on-line prior to and following the course meeting time. Students in this program bring with them a variety of background and teaching/training experiences.
Please Note: This program does not lead to teacher certification.
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and students may begin the program in any semester.
Program Advisor: Dr. Vickie Lake -- vlake@ou.edu
Core Courses (12 hours)
Elective Courses (12 hours of elective course work will be offered)
Download the ILAC AP Master's Program of Study/Checksheet (PDF)
The master's degree requires completion of 36 semester credit hours of graduate coursework. Approximately 15 hours of coursework are taken as part of the course instructional requirement. The remaining credit hours will be completed in the specialty area. All students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination.
Each student must satisfactorily complete a written comprehensive examination, which covers the major ideas and themes of the program (teaching and learning, diversity, and research). The comprehensive examination is completed during the semester of graduation, and the student must be enrolled in one course for a minimum of two credit hours of OU coursework. The exam cannot be taken until the student has an Admission to Candidacy form on file in and approved by the Graduate College. If a student does not graduate within a two-year period after taking the comprehensive examination, it must be retaken. Advanced Programs site director and ILAC Department AP Coordinator, Dr. Lake, will have additional information about the examination.
There are specific course requirements that must be fulfilled in order to meet eligibility requirements for the comprehensive examination. Students are advised to read the Graduate College Bulletin from the Graduate College for specifics on these and other requirements or check with their program faculty advisor.
The Department of Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum requires an undergraduate degree in an appropriate field from an accredited college or university. While teaching/training experience is preferred, it is not required.
Admission Requirement for the Master of Education
Admission to study for the master’s degree in education requires a grade point average of 3.00 in the last degree conferred. Apply online at: pacs.ou.edu/graduate/master-instructional-leadership-and-academic-curriculum
In addition to the AP application requirements, please email the following items directly to the AP ILAC Program Coordinator, Dr. Vickie E. Lake, at vlake@ou.edu:
