School Administration, M.S.A.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following materials to the Graduate School:

1. An application for graduate admission.
2. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, completed before graduate study begins.
3. Official transcripts of all college work (undergraduate and graduate).
4. Three recommendations by individuals in professionally relevant roles.
5. A brief (2-3 page typed, double-spaced) letter of application that includes a description of goals and interests in pursuing graduate study.  Please review and reference the WCE Mission Statement and Values in your essay. 
6. A brief (2-3 page typed, double-spaced) autobiographical statement that outlines the applicant’s: (a) relevant professional experiences, (b) how these experiences relate to the desire to become a school administrator, (c) goals as an administrator, and (d) philosophy of education.
7. Application and supplemental documents must be submitted by the published deadline.

An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 is required for admission. In addition, applicants be licensed as a professional educator in North Carolina. They also must have completed at least four years of experience in their educational position. Final selection will be based on academic records, writing samples, and recommendations. Admissions decisions are based upon several factors, and where other indicators of success warrant, individuals who fall below the established criterion in one of the areas may still be considered for admission.

Degree Requirements (36 total credit hours)

Students selected to the Master of School Administration program will complete an interdisciplinary program comprised of 36 credit hours, including academic study as well as field-based inquiry and practice. The program leading to the Master of School Administration (M.S.A.) provides advanced professional training for individuals holding a license as a professional educator in North Carolina with at least four years of experience in their educational position. The program includes conceptual and programmatic studies, practica and internship. Courses may be taken on a full- or part-time basis. 

Based upon the view of the professional as a decision-maker and reflective practitioner, the program addresses the needs for conceptual and procedural bases for decision-making and specific alternatives within the student’s anticipated area of professional practice.

Core Requirements:

• EDL 512 - Legal Issues and Policy as a Systemic Process Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 513 - Organizational Theory and Leadership Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 514 - Technology for School Improvement Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 530 - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 526 - Managerial Leadership and Administration Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 566 - Supervision and Teacher Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 568 - Educational Program Design and Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
• EDL 569 - Internship: Pre-Leadership Applications Credit Hours: 3 (See note below)
• EDL 570 - Internship: Leadership Applications I Credit Hours: 6
• EDL 571 - Internship: Leadership Applications II Credit Hours: 6

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• *Note: EDL 569 is required of all students 

Exit Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete the e-Portfolio Defense prior to graduation. See MSA Handbook for additional information.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of the graduate MSA in School Administration, the candidate should be able to:

1. Foster a school vision that respects community values and are guided by empirical evidence of effective practices.
2. Evaluate student and teacher performance consistently and continuously and modify practices as necessary.
3. Support and value the contribution of a school’s culture in achieving exemplary student performance.
4. Encourage respectful relationships between and among all of the school’s stakeholders and respond to critical needs.
5. Create an effective and innovative learning environment reflecting high quality instruction in a safe and orderly setting.
6. Lead in the selection, evaluation, and implementation of effective curricula.
7. Identify organizational strengths and areas in need of improvement.