|
|
Educational 'Specialist' and 'School' and District Leadership
Degree Overview
This EdS program is designed to prepare students to become inquiring, reflective school leaders who provide effective leadership at the school and district levels. The program meets the requirements for both building-level and district-level certification requirements in Missouri, as well as many other states. Graduate students who already possess a Missouri Initial Administrator Certificate (building-level) can use the degree to meet requirements toward a Missouri Career Administrator’s Certificate (building level) and/or a Missouri Initial Superintendent Certificate (district-level). Students who do not have a Missouri Initial Administrator Certificate may apply the degree toward that certification at the building-level as well toward the district-level Superintendent Certificate. For more information about certification, see the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
This innovative EdS leader preparation program is designed to serve a diverse population of graduate students so they can make a positive difference in the lives of students across the state and nation. The program is delivered through a series of authentic learning experiences and formative assessment designed to meet the individual and group needs of students in each class. Students are expected to demonstrate their competence across the broad range of school and district issues such as instructional leadership, organizational development, fiscal and legal compliance, professional ethics and responsibility, professional development, and internal/external interpersonal relationships.
The competencies stressed throughout the EdS program of study are designed to: positively impact learning for all students in their organization; value, encourage, and facilitate the professional development of self and others in their organizations; demonstrate effective communication skills in both school and non-school settings; value, understand, and support diversity in their school organizations; become or enhance their roles as "teacher-leaders" in their organizations; and, effectively establish links with appropriate community agencies.
The 30-hour EdS program includes a set of six core classes (18 credit hours). Classes are taught on weekends and repeat annually in a predictable pattern. Classes meet once a month on a Friday night through Saturday during the Fall and Spring semesters. In the summer, each course meets on a similar, but slightly longer daily schedule, for three weekends during the first or second summer sessions. Additionally, the summer weekend classes are supplemented with online coursework. This cycle allows each student to build a schedule that fits the individual’s needs and goals. Prospective students should be aware that the elective courses are not always available on a weekend-format schedule.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must have a Master’s Degree in Education and are encouraged to have teaching experience. They should possess a capacity to learn and apply the current knowledge about best practices and the desire to make a difference in the lives of students from varied types of communities and backgrounds. Applicants applying to the EdS program are required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and are expected to have a competitive score (900 total of the verbal and quantitative sections combined). Students who are considering continuing their graduate study in leadership through the EdD or PhD programs in ELPA should be aware that expectations for the GRE scores in those programs are higher.
Degree Requirements
This 30-hour program of study which includes the following core courses and a minimum 6 elective hours. Students may take more than six hours of electives if the student does not need the internship credit associated with a particular certification. If a student already has, or does not desire to have, Principal Certification ELPA 9481 Principal Internship class is not required. Or, if a student does not desire to obtain Superintendent Certification, the ELPA 9481 Central Office Internship course is not needed.
Six Core Courses (18 hours)
8423:Advanced Leadership for Learning Environments
8419:Structures and Processes for Effective Schools
8417:Site-Level Organization and Leadership
9429:Superintendent: Communication, Team Leadership
9424:Superintendent: Instructional Leader
9430:Superintendent: Fiscal, Legal Leader
Two 3 Hour Internships will be required
ELPA 9481: Principal Internship
ELPA 9481: Central Office Internship
A course in basic educational statistics is a requirement for completion of the degree. In addition to the 30-hour program, students must take a course that meets the requirement, if a similar course has not been completed prior to enrollment in the program. The two courses at MU that meet this requirement are Introduction to Educational Statistics and Leadership for Data Driven Change. Students who plan to continue their graduate work beyond the EdS should take the Introduction to Education Statistics, but those who view the EdS as a final degree could take the Leadership for Data Driven Change class, which is also taught in a weekendformat each Fall.
Registration for course in the EdS program is administered by MizzouOnline. To register for classes, go to MizzouOnline's website.
Application Deadlines
- Rolling Admission
How to Apply
Submit the following documentation to:
MU Graduate School
University of Missouri
210 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
University of Missouri Graduate School application
Submit the documentation below to:
Director of Graduate Studies
Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis
202 Hill Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
- Current resume
- Reference Forms from 3 Individuals
- Official copy of transcripts
- Official GRE scores (program specific: combined score of 900)
- Spring 2012 applicants: Please note that starting August 1, 2011, the GRE revised General Test will replace the current GRE General Test. During the initial few months of offering the revised exam (August through mid-November 2011), ETS will not be reporting test scores. Therefore, in order to have your GRE scores to us to meet most spring application deadlines, you must take the current GRE General Test by July 31. More information on the revised GRE General Test is available online at http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/know
- Official TOEFL scores (if applicable)
- EdS program application
Fees and Financial Aid
Find more information on related fees and financial aid opportunities.
Other Information
For more information about this program contact the ELPA Department by phone at 573-882-8221 or by e-mail at elpagrad@missouri.edu.