Partnership Programs
Ph.D. in Educational Studies: Educational Leadership

Lesley University's status as an incubator of educational knowledge has allowed the university to develop key partnerships with several leading professional organizations that prepare educational leaders.  All programs are delivered in a learning-community format, in which a group of students progresses through the program together, and consist of 60 credits of coursework. Students who complete programs with the approved partner organizations may waive credits (see below). Courses are provided in a combination of face-to-face and online work. 

The Massachusetts Elementary School Principals' Association (MESPA)

The Lesley/MESPA Partnership Program melds the compatible educational leadership philosophies of Lesley University and MESPA.  MESPA, in collaboration with Lesley, is responsible for developing electives, overseeing a Collective Inquiry/Collaborative Action Research Project, and assisting in selecting the advisors/mentors for the program. The program is hosted at the MESPA Education and Technology Center in Marlborough. MA.

Students enrolled through the Lesley/MESPA Partnership will be able to waive up to twenty-four (24) credits:*

• twenty-four (24) credits for students who complete MESPA's Certification Program for Administrator Licensure (CPAL)
• twelve (12) credits for students who hold an active license in an educational leadership area (principal/assistant principal, special education administration, supervisor/director, superintendent/assistant superintendent),
• an additional twelve (12) credits after completion of the Collective Inquiry/Collaborative Action Research Project.

The National Institute for School Leadership (NISL)

The Lesley/NISL Doctoral Program provides students with ample opportunities to deepen, sustain, and apply their NISL work toward fulfilling the requirements for the Lesley Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.  Students engage in a range of scholarly activities that lead to mastery of the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary for educational leadership at the doctoral level. The program is held either on-campus or at an off-campus location convenient to students.

Students enrolled in the Lesley/NISL Partnership Program will be able to waive twenty-four (24) credits upon completion of the NISL program.

The Teachers21/Leadership Licensure Program

In the Lesley/Teachers21/LLP Doctoral Program, courses are offered off-campus in Middleboro, MA.  The Leadership Licensure Program at Teachers21/READS Collaborative is a comprehensive program that prepares participants to acquire the superintendent’s license in Massachusetts.  The Lesley Ph.D. program articulates with the LLP program to provide a well-rounded, comprehensive doctoral experience.

Students enrolled in the Lesley/Teachers21/LLP Partnership Program will be able to waive up to twenty-four (24) credits upon completion of coursework provided by Teachers21/LLP.

*In all cases of credit waivers, a minimum of 36 credits will be completed with Lesley University

Inspiring imagination and nurturing practitioner-scholars to construct new knowledge,
be courageous, redefine school leadership,
and redesign schools so that all students achieve at high levels