Total Cost * Next Start Date Completion Time † Semester Credits Total Cost * Transform education and expand your teaching influence by coaching and leading fellow educators and educational leaders. The instructional coaching and teacher leadership master’s degree at ACE equips you with applicable leadership and instructional models, advanced education expertise, coaching skills, and more. You’ll be positioned as a change agent, ready to guide educators to reach their full potential and advocate for policies to support student learning better.
This program prepares you to promote, design, implement and evaluate professional learning and development systems for educators. You’ll also gain a strong ability to strengthen and maintain a school vision, demonstrating a unified educational approach that supports student achievement. Become the influential instructional coach and teacher leader you aspire to be, leveraging your education expertise to empower others in a meaningful way.
Empower your students and community, and take the next step toward a future full of possibility.
The Master of Education in Instructional Coaching and Teacher Leadership is a dynamic program designed to empower educators with advanced skills in coaching, mentoring, and leadership within educational settings. This innovative curriculum combines theory, research, and practical application to cultivate instructional leaders who can positively impact student learning outcomes and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The program curriculum will address principles of adult learning theory, data-driven decision-making, and transformative leadership. Students will develop expertise in using evidence-based coaching techniques to support teachers in enhancing their instructional practices, implementing new pedagogical approaches, and integrating technology effectively into the classroom.
Here are the courses you’ll take when working towards this program.
Visit the College Catalog to see all courses.
If no focus of study option is selected, you can choose any 3 courses from the study options below.
This course explores instructional coaching as a professional learning approach to enhance teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Participants will learn the principles and practices of instructional leadership and coaching, including supporting teachers in improving instructional practices, fostering reflective teaching, and implementing evidence-based strategies. Educators will use various instructional coaching models and methods, develop consistent conflict resolution and mediation strategies, and practice effective collaborative communication techniques.
This course is designed for educators who aspire to take on leadership roles in developing and facilitating professional learning experiences. Participants will explore the principles, instructional strategies, and best practices in guiding and supporting adult learners. They will plan and lead effective professional development initiatives that drive instructional improvement. Educators develop a toolkit of evidence-based resources to support others in their schools.
This course emphasizes the importance of understanding state, federal, and other accountability standards in relation to the needs of learners within schools, school districts, and organizational communities. The course focuses remains on identifying learners' academic strengths and areas needing improvement to eliminate achievement gaps, improve achievement levels, ensure progress, increase graduation rates, and promote post-secondary and college/career readiness.
Sound judgment is a cornerstone of effective leadership in today's multifaceted educational environment. This course examines the art and science of decision-making, providing educational leaders with the insights and tools to make informed, strategic decisions that impact learning outcomes. They will explore decision-making theories, engage in practical scenarios, and hone their skills in navigating the challenges inherent in educational leadership.
This course offers an in-depth exploration of the theory, practice, and ethical considerations involved in mentoring teachers to enhance their professional development and effectiveness in the classroom. Through a blend of theoretical frameworks, practical applications, and reflective exercises, participants will integrate teacher induction standards to lead and accelerate the development of teacher effectiveness, improve teacher retention, strengthen teacher leadership, and support equitable outcomes for every learner.
This course equips educators with the knowledge, skills, and strategies to take on leadership roles that drive meaningful school improvement initiatives. Participants will explore the critical intersection of teacher leadership and organizational development, examining best practices, collaborative approaches, and evidence-based methods for enhancing learning outcomes. Educators are empowered to catalyze positive change and foster academic excellence across student populations.
This course prepares educators for leadership roles within P-12 educational settings. Topics include the multifaceted aspects of teacher leadership, including developing skills, knowledge, and dispositions that empower teachers to positively impact their schools and communities. Participants will explore adult learning theory and data-driven decision-making while engaging in reflective practice and practical scenarios to enhance their understanding of effective teacher leadership.
This course is designed for aspiring educational leaders who seek to enhance their leadership skills and empower others within their organizations. Participants will explore foundational and contemporary leadership theories, examine the critical role of distributed leadership in educational settings, and develop strategies for nurturing leadership capacities among staff, students, and the community. The course emphasizes practical application, equipping participants with tools and techniques to lead with vision, inspire collaboration, and drive systemic improvement.
This course empowers individuals to recognize, embrace, and navigate their unique leadership journey. Participants will explore the interconnectedness of personal and professional growth, fostering a deep understanding of leadership theories and self-awareness and applying leadership principles in organizational settings.
This course prepares educators to become proficient consumers and practitioners of research in educational settings. They will learn to evaluate existing research, conduct action research, and apply scientific inquiry principles to address current educational challenges. Educators will develop skills in data-driven decision-making and learn to use research as a tool for continuous improvement in their organizations. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to integrate evidence-based practices into their work, enhancing their effectiveness as educational leaders.
The capstone experience is designed to allow educators to synthesize their learning, demonstrate leadership competencies, and contribute to the field of education. The course focuses on a forward-thinking approach where participants will complete assignments relevant to their careers in instructional coaching and teacher leadership.
We believe in full transparency with our total cost of attendance. No hidden fees. No surprises along the way.
Continuing your education is a big decision that involves an investment of your time and money. We recognize that, which is why we're committed to ensuring you experience a positive return on that investment.
You only pay the cost it takes for us to deliver your education, nothing more. By keeping our tuition low, we’ve helped our students see a $19.20 return in future higher earnings for every $1 they invested in their ACE education.1
Because of our low tuition and total program cost, 87% of our students graduate debt-free5. Popular payment options include paying by course, paying by month or paying in full. Visit our payment options page to learn more.
You deserve a great return on your educational investment, and we deliver master's degrees at a total average cost of $10,000*. We also award over $2M in scholarships and grants each year.
Tuition & ROIWe are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Our faculty work in the industries where you work and are committed to your success, contributing to our 84% graduation rate.3 Our curriculum equips you with practical strategies you can apply right away, as well as skills to help you advance your career.
Success StoriesOur virtual campus and convenient start dates provide you the flexibility you need to achieve your goals at a time and place that works with your busy schedule. Our student support services are available 24/7 and tutoring is included at no additional cost.
Support Services
Because we don’t have a physical campus, our students don’t need to pay infrastructure or facility fees. We also keep our operational costs low by not participating in Title IV federal funding. We pass all these savings along to our students.
Due to our engaging online format, you’ll connect and learn from industry peers worldwide. And even though you’re learning online, you won’t feel alone thanks to student discussion boards and online forums.
Learn strategies and skills you can apply immediately and leverage for future career advancement. Employers of ACE graduates report a 96% satisfaction rate,3 while 98% of our students felt their professional skills were stronger after graduation.3
Every course is created by our in-house curriculum and production team working in tandem with our academic leaders. Plus, all courses follow a consistent structure. No outdated coursework, no surprises.
*The application fee is valid for one year from date of submission.
**Additional evidence may be required to fulfill state requirements, including but not limited to verification of professional experience, test scores, or an interview.
All applicants must submit, to the Admissions Office, an official evaluation from a NACES-approved organization.
All applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate competence in the English language as demonstrated in one of three ways:
2CollegeTuitionCompare. Competitor pricing reflects out-of-state tuition for public schools and annual costs rather than total program cost. As master's programs commonly span multiple academic years, total costs at comparison institutions may exceed the annual amounts shown. Accessed July 9, 2026.
3Across all ACE Programs. See Student Right to Know. Accessed May 28, 2026
4Education Data Initiative. Accessed January 28, 2026
5Internal research completed in November 2025
Our Enrollment Counselors are here to answer your questions and walk you through the enrollment process.
