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Jul 02, 2024
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2024 - 2025 Graduate Academic Catalog
Education, School Leadership, M.A.
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 Return to: Degrees & Programs
The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in School Leadership is for experienced teachers ready to expand their leadership opportunities outside of the traditional classroom. This 36-credit program includes extensive preparation for school administration and a sequence of courses and activities planned to guide the candidates in developing the knowledge and skills required of principals and supervisors. A year-long, 6-credit internship with monthly seminars provides candidates with opportunities to apply their knowledge and continue to improve their abilities to function as effective, caring school leaders.
Students seeking a Master of Arts in this concentration area must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level) and a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying. (Elementary grades: K-5; Middle Level: 7-8, Secondary grades: 9-12).
Students certified to teach at the elementary level should enroll in the elementary school leadership program, and students certified in a subject taught in high school should enroll in the secondary school leadership program. Students holding middle level certification may choose either the elementary or secondary school leadership program. Persons wishing to become certified in administration at a level different from their teaching certification area will need to add the appropriate teaching credential and consult the graduate advisor for the course(s) needed in school leadership. Persons holding valid teaching credentials in both elementary and secondary may select either elementary or secondary school leadership.
To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam. This program is offered in an online/hybrid/blended format.
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School Leadership (36 credits)
Master of Arts programs are designed primarily for certified teachers. Individuals seeking initial teacher certification will be required to complete undergraduate courses which will not apply toward the master’s degree.
Admission Criteria
Students seeking admission to a Master of Arts program must have:
- earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or a teacher education program recognized by the South Carolina Board of Education with a GPA of no less than 2.75 (3.0 preferred)
- satisfactorily completed an accredited program of initial teacher certification
and, must submit:
- a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
- a copy of their current teaching certificate
- two professional recommendations
- official transcripts from each higher education institution previously attended
International Degree Candidates Initial Admission
Graduate Studies in Education is not available to international applicants/students because we cannot guarantee full-time enrollment or face-to-face courses in those programs.
Program Continuation
Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person. Continuation in a program leading to the award of the Master of Arts requires successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.
- Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.
After Admission to degree candidacy, all students in a program must:
- maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirements
- demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
- resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Office of Graduate Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission
Program Completion/Degree Audit
The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the student’s record to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses.
Program Completion/Graduation
The Office of Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis content exam.
Quick Step Guide to the Master of Arts
- Preliminary Conference with Graduate Studies
- Application/fee/transcript/recommendations/teaching certificate
- Acceptance
- Complete EDFD 879: Master’s Seminar in Education
- Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam (if applicable)
- Graduation
Requirements
Two core courses (6 credits)
Seven courses in the concentration (21 credits)
A year-long internship (6 credits)
and a capstone experience (3 credits)
- EDFD 879 Masters Seminar in Education *
*Must be the final course completed in the degree program.
Notes: All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience. Passing score on PRAXIS area exam is required to be recommended for both the degree and certification.
Additionally, in order to gain SC certification in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level certificate; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision subtest; and have a minimum of three years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying.
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