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Indian Leadership
Education & Development

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Principal Certification

A collaborative project of:

Little Big Horn College and the Educational Leadership Program at Montana State University Dept. of Education
The purpose of the I LEAD project is to recruit, educate, and place American Indian educators into administrative positions at schools with high populations of Native American students. Candidates will participate in approximately six blocks of instruction spanning a timeframe of about 24 months. This instruction will result in the award of a master’s degree in educational leadership and eligibility for state certification as a K-12 school principal. Champ and Montana Hall
Benefits Requirements Application Materials
  • Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
  • Academic qualification for Montana OPI licensure as school principal
  • Tuition and fees paid including all admissions fees
  • Books and all necessary course materials and supplies will be provided to each candidate
  • Summer stipends to offset the costs of attending sessions conducted at the Bozeman Campus.
  • Be a member of a federal or state recognized tribe or have a parent or grandparent that was a tribal member
  • Be a certified teacher with 3 years of teaching experience in a K-12 accredited school.
  • Be admitted to Montana State University’s M.Ed. Educational Leadership graduate program.

 
  • Graduate Application Form
  • Resume/Vitae
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation
  • Self-Nomination Letter
  • Academic Transcripts
  • Proof of Tribal affiliation

APPLY TO MSU
Schedule Frequently Asked Questions

Spring 2026
EDLD 591 Indigenous Leadership

Summer 2026
EDLD 507 Foundations of Educational Leadership
EDLD 515 Planned Change

Fall 2026
EDLD 520 Schools and Diverse Comm.
EDLD 532 School Law

Spring 2027
EDLD 555 School Finance
EDLD 508 Supervision of Instruction

Summer 2027
EDLD 566 Administration ofSpecial Education
EDLD 565 K-12 Instructional Leadership
EDLD 613 Indigenous Methods in Educational Research (optional)

Fall 2027
EDLD 526 Evaluating School Programs
EDLD 574 Field Experience I

Spring 2028
EDLD 574 Field Experience II
EDLD 591 Ethics (optional)

What would happen if I decided not to apply for an administrative position after completing the program?

This I LEAD project requires a payback of one year of service as an administrator at a school serving Native American students for every year of participation or a payback of the funds spent for your participation in I LEAD structured as a student loan.

Do I have to take all the courses at the times specified by cohort?

Although you will have to take all of the courses, you could develop an alternative schedule allowing you to accelerate graduation or slow the pace. Keep in mind, that all course work must be completed by summer of 2030

Can I participate in the MSU classes offered through the I LEAD program, if I am not Native American, but work with Native American students?

The I LEAD program is for those educators that are tribal members themselves or those with parents or grandparents who are tribal members. You may apply to the M.Ed. offered to I LEAD participants, but have to self-fund your own cost of attendance.

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For more information:    Dr. Jason Cummins
jason.cummins1@montana.edu
406-994-4142		 Learn more about the I LEAD Program

 

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