Columbia, S.C. — Columbia International University (CIU) is making history with its Master of Education in Educational Leadership program as the first cohort of students begins internships in South Carolina’s inaugural state-certified pathway to principal licensure.
Led by Program Director Dr. Debbie Moore and Field Director Dr. Dell Brabham, the fully online, 18-month program equips educators for leadership roles in both public and Christian schools. Graduates are eligible for South Carolina PK–12 principal licensure as well as Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) certification, blending academic excellence with a Christ-centered approach to leadership.
“This milestone represents CIU’s commitment to serving schools and communities across South Carolina,” said Dr. Moore. “We’re preparing future principals to lead with vision, integrity, and a biblical worldview in diverse educational settings.”
A Christ-Centered Program with Statewide Impact
The MEd in Educational Leadership is uniquely designed for working educators. Courses are fully online, but students receive extensive mentorship and field experience, including 250 internship hours in South Carolina schools. Each intern is paired with both a school-based mentor and a CIU supervisor to ensure personalized growth and accountability.
“Leadership is more than managing people — it’s about stewarding influence,” said Dr. Brabham. “We emphasize character, calling, and service. Our graduates are prepared not only to lead schools effectively but also to shape lives with purpose.”
Meet the First Cohort of Interns
The inaugural group of interns brings diverse experiences and inspiring journeys into the program:
- Walter Griffin — A high school teacher and CIU PhD graduate who calls this internship “the final step” toward building-level administration.
- Stephen Jeffcoat — A CIU alumnus and 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year in Lexington District Four, refining leadership skills learned at CIU.
- Hope Halfacre — An educator whose path was redirected by life circumstances but renewed by CIU’s launch of this state-certified program.
- Alexis Greene — A University of South Carolina graduate and selection for the prestigious R1 Ready Leadership Development Program chose CIU for its Christ-centered perspective, calling it “a place where I’ve grown as both a teacher and believer.”
- Joe Craft — A CIU PhD graduate continuing his professional journey through the MEd program.
Each intern is serving in public schools across South Carolina, gaining the hands-on experience required for licensure and preparing to impact their communities as school leaders.
Preparing Leaders for the Future
The launch of the internship program is timely as South Carolina faces a growing shortage of qualified principals. CIU’s program directly addresses this need, offering both academic rigor and Christian mentorship.
“Our students discuss leadership as a calling,” said Dr. Moore. “They see their role as ministry — guiding teachers, students, and communities with wisdom and compassion.”
CIU faculty, many of whom have served as teachers, principals, and superintendents, bring real-world experience into the classroom. Combined with spiritual formation, this prepares graduates to influence not only academic outcomes but also the character and culture of their schools.
Looking Ahead
The first cohort of MEd interns will complete their fieldwork in 2026, becoming the first CIU graduates eligible for South Carolina principal licensure. Meanwhile, CIU is expanding partnerships with districts across the state to place more interns in diverse school settings.
“We want to raise up leaders who know Christ deeply and make Him known through their leadership,” said Dr. Brabham. “This is more than a degree — it’s a movement to transform schools and communities for the better.”
Educators interested in the program can learn more about admissions, scholarships, and upcoming cohorts at Master of Education – Educational Leadership.
