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Instructional Leadership for Christian Educators

Program Overview

Carson-Newman University’s Instructional Leadership for Christian Educators Program is designed to prepare current and aspiring school leaders to serve with excellence, integrity and a distinctly Christian worldview. This innovative program responds to the urgent need for well-prepared leaders in Christian education by equipping them with both professional expertise and spiritual maturity.

At its core, the program integrates biblical principles with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) School Leadership Standards, ensuring participants gain the skills, knowledge and faith foundation needed to lead effectively in today’s educational landscape.

The Instructional Leadership for Christian Educators Program provides a supportive, cohort-based model where participants engage in graduate-level coursework, mentorship and field experiences over a two-year period. Leaders are trained not only to navigate complex educational demands but also to shape school cultures that promote Christ-centered formation and academic excellence.

Distinctive Christian Worldview Integration

Unlike many leadership programs that focus solely on technical expertise, Carson-Newman’s program intentionally grounds leadership development in a Christian worldview. Each course emphasizes biblical foundations for leadership domains such as instructional leadership, community engagement, organizational management and ethical decision-making.

Through guided theological reflection, devotional practices, and case studies from Christian school contexts, participants learn how to lead schools in ways that honor Christ while pursuing academic rigor. The program fosters a vision of leadership as servant-leadership, modeled after Christ, where stewardship, humility and transformation are central values.

Key features of faith integration include:

  • Biblical principles woven into every course
  • Prayer and spiritual formation as part of the learning experience
  • Faith-based ethical frameworks for decision-making
  • Mentorship by seasoned Christian school leaders who model Christ-like leadership

Structure & Curriculum

The Instructional Leadership for Christian Educators Program is organized into seven sequenced graduate-level courses completed within 12 months. Courses combine online learning, summer institutes, and embedded field experiences to accommodate working professionals while maintaining rigor and depth.

The program builds a strong foundation for students to create their plan to reach their full potential as a school leader through the following:

Foundations of Leadership

  • Best Practices for School Leaders (Biblical leadership philosophy and instructional practices)
  • School and Community Relations (church-school partnerships, parent engagement, community building)
  • Human Resources and Supervision (faith-based approaches to staff development and supervision)
  • Data-Driven School Leadership (biblical discernment in data use and continuous improvement)

Application and Practice

  • School Operations (budgeting, facilities, stewardship, crisis management)
  • School Law and Policy (legal issues in Christian schools, religious liberty, conflict resolution)
  • Managing Change (strategic planning, renewal, and biblical models of transformation)
  • Field Experience and Capstone (supervised leadership practicum, action research, leadership portfolio, school improvement project)

The curriculum uniquely prepares leaders to meet PSEL standards while ensuring alignment with the ACSI School Leadership Standards, affirming their dual role as academic leaders and spiritual shepherds.

Key Program Elements

  • Mentorship: Each participant is paired with an experienced Christian school leader who provides guidance, spiritual encouragement, and practical feedback.
  • Leadership Portfolio: Participants develop a portfolio demonstrating their leadership philosophy, evidence of professional standards, artifacts of practice, and reflections on faith integration.
  • School Improvement Project: Candidates complete a project addressing a real need in their school, integrating data-driven strategies with faith-based leadership.
  • Networking: Cohort-based learning, regional partnerships, and conference participation foster lasting professional and spiritual connections.

Outcomes and Impact

Graduates of the Instructional Leadership for Christian Educators Program are prepared to:

  • Lead schools with excellence in instructional, organizational, and community leadership.
  • Integrate faith and learning by shaping Christ-centered school cultures.
  • Apply Biblical principles to the complex challenges of school leadership.
  • Strengthen the pipeline of leaders for Christian schools regionally and nationally.

For Christian schools, the program develops a new generation of leaders who embody both professional excellence and spiritual integrity, ensuring that students are educated in environments where faith and learning intersect.

Carson-Newman’s Instructional Leadership for Christian Educators Program is more than professional preparation—it is a calling to serve. By integrating PSEL, ACSI School Leadership Standards and a Christian worldview, the program forms transformational leaders who guide schools in fulfilling their mission to help students reach their full potential as educated citizens and worldwide servant-leaders.

Course Sequence & Costs

  • A-Term: EDUC-638 Foundations of Leadership (3 hrs)
  • *B-Term: EDUC-670 Legal and Ethical Issues (3 hrs)

  • A-Term: EDUC-537 Special Topics in Education: Jesus on Teaching and Leadership (3 hrs)

Those pursuing state licensure will complete EDUC-527 regular program

  • B-Term: Caring and Guiding Your Team (3 hrs)

  • *A-Term: EDUC-673 Management of the School (3 hrs)
  • B-Term: EDUC-672 Evaluation for Continuous Improvement (3 hrs)
  • B-Term: EDUC-674 Professional Learning Communities

Those pursuing State Instr. Leader license will also do the following shell courses:

EDUC-FOLIO: Educational Leadership Evidence Portfolio documented for students pursuing a license to become an instructional leader by pursuing the Licensed Instructional Leader Certification. Includes practicum experience. It also contains the trauma-informed modules required by TDOE.(0hrs)

EDUC-PRACT:  Literacy Practicum Project completion is documented for students pursuing license to become an instructional leader. The completion of 175 practicum hours is documented in this course. Includes practicum experience. Prerequisite: EDUC-FOLIO.  No assignments or tasks are a part of this course. (0hrs)

EDUC-SLLA:  Passage of the School Leaders Licensure Assessment is documented for students pursuing a license to become an instructional leader.   No assignments or tasks are completed in this course.

If a student is completing an M.Ed. Or Ed.S. In Leadership, they will complete an additional 15 hours.  This will mean two classes Fall 26 and three Classes Spring 27 with graduation May 27.

The total cost for the 21 hours to the student is 3,408.75 dollars minus the discount and 4 free classes.

This may be paid per hour in the semesters the first three courses are completed ($1,136.25 per course) or 12 equal monthly installments of $285.00.

Contact

Rodney Russell

Associate Provost; Dean, Center for Teaching and Learning; Associate Professor of Education

865-471-4171