Education MA, Leadership and Improvement of Educational Activities I, 7.5 credits
Please note that the literature can be changed/revised until:
• June 1 for a course that starts in the autumn semester
• November 15 for a course that starts in the spring semester
• April 1 for a course that starts in the summer
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Syllabus:
Pedagogik AV, Ledarskap och utveckling av pedagogiska verksamheter I, 7.5 hp
Education MA, Leadership and Improvement of Educational Activities I, 7.5 credits
General data
- Code:PE073A
- Subject/Main field:Education
- Cycle:Second cycle
- Credits:7.5
- Progressive specialization:A1N - Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
- Education area:Social sciences 100%
- Answerable department:PPS, Education, Psychology and Social Work
- Approved:2026-03-10
- Version valid from:2026-08-31
Aim
The course aims to develop the student's understanding of leadership and organisational development. The course also aims to enhance the student's ability to manage complex phenomena, issues, and situations by deepening and problematising leadership and organisational development in relation to educational settings.
Course objectives
After completing the course, the student shall be able to:
- demonstrate an advanced understanding of the concepts of leadership and development;
- critically discuss these concepts, both in writing and orally, in relation to educational settings;
- identify and address their need for further knowledge in leadership and the development of educational practices; and
- present the acquired knowledge both in written and oral form.
Content
The course addresses educational research and theories on leadership and organisational development. It also includes empirical examples from studies on leadership and the development of educational practices. As part of the course, students are required to write a text on leadership and school development. The text should discuss, problematise, and deepen the student’s understanding of central scientific concepts in relation to a ‘case’ drawn from the student’s own experience. The content of the text shall also be presented in the form of a potential future study.
Entry requirements
A completed degree of at least 180 credits including an independent project of 15 credits in Education or a corresponding main field of study, or a completed teacher education degree of at least 180 credits including an independent project of 15 credits. Additionally, proficiency in Swedish and English equivalent to general entry requirements for higher education in Sweden at first-cycle level is required.
Selection rules and procedures
The selection process is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance and the local order of admission.
Teaching form
The course is delivered primarily online, with a number of mandatory on‑campus meetings.
Examination form
4001: Leadership and Improvement of Educational Activities I, 7.5 Credits
Grade scale: Three-grade scale
The course’s learning outcomes are assessed through three examination components that build upon one another:
- Mandatory literature seminars (Pass/Fail)
- Peer review of student texts (Pass/Fail)
- Individual paper on Leadership and School Development (Fail/Pass/Pass with Distinction)
To receive the grade Pass for the course, the student must obtain at least Pass on all examination components. To receive Pass with Distinction, the student must additionally achieve Pass with Distinction on the individual paper Leadership and School Development.
Link to grading criteria: https://www.miun.se/betygskriterier
If a student has a certificate from the coordinator at Mid Sweden University regarding educational support due to a disability, the examiner has the right to provide an adapted form of examination.
Grading system
Three-grade scale
Other information
This course may not be included in a degree together with the course code PE049A.
Course certificates, credit transfers, appeals, etc., are regulated by the Higher Education Ordinance.
Course reading
Required literature
Author/Ed: Alvesson, A. Blom, M. Svenningsson, S.
Title: Reflexive leadership
Edition: Latest edition
Publisher: Sage
Author/Ed: Bush, T.
Title: Theories of Educational Leadership and Management
Edition: Latest edition
Publisher: Sage
Author/Ed: Kelly, S.
Title: Towards a negative ontology of leadership
Edition: 2014
Publisher/journal: Human relations, 67(8), 905–922.
Author/Ed: Larsson, G., Lundin, J., Zander, A.
Title: The Leadership Model -The art of Matching Individual and organisational Characteristice
Edition: Latest edition
Publisher: Studentlitteratur
Author/Ed: Lund, S.
Title: The geographic periphery as architecture for leadership practice with Swedish primary school principals: A peripatetic leading practice
Edition: 2025
Publisher/journal: International journal of leadership in education, 28(3), 533–552.
Author/Ed: Sahlin, S., Sjöstrand, M., Styf, M., & Lund, S
Title: Swedish principals’ adaptive leadership in unprecedented times: Learnings from the pandemic experiences
Edition: 2025
Publisher/journal: Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/17411432251339791
Additional articles will be added.