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   Graduate & Professional :: School of Education
 
  

Emphasis Area: School (Grades K-12) Administration

The master's program with emphasis in school administration is designed to prepare leaders for 21st century schools. These leaders must begin now to envision the nature of a global technical-information-based society and the schooling such a society will require. Assumptions based on available knowledge concerning these schools will be made in designing the M.A. program for students. Students will be expected to develop "Learning Organizational Culture" schools and demonstrate competency to develop:

  1. Into a facilitator of relationships and outcomes that enhance the effective operation of the school.
  2. Collaborative and participative planning and decision-making structures (teams).
  3. Support networks from the community and in the school.
  4. School organizations as cultures of renewal, risk, problem-solving, trust and caring.
  5. School culture of reflective and critical thought concerning learning theory and practice.
On completion of the program, students will be equipped to envision and embrace an information-based, developmental society. Students begin their program of study with a cohort group of other potential school leaders and will take a series of 6-credit-hour block courses. Each cohort will work collaboratively throughout its studies and be led by University faculty and school leaders from throughout the greater Kansas City region.

Students will develop professional portfolios, including both individual and group projects, over the course of their degree program. While the three-block sequence is intended for school leaders at every level, it is expected that students will tailor their elective coursework and their culminating experience (practicum or internship) to the building level at which they hold their teaching credentials.

Students who complete the master of arts in educational administration may be recommended for initial certification as a building administrator (Kansas) or principal (Missouri). Students must complete the Educational Specialist to earn advanced principal certification in Missouri. Advanced certification is required to be a principal in an AAA-rated school district. Administrative assessment (the School Leaders Licensure Assessment) is required in Missouri.

Coordinator:

Gus Jacob Contact Information, (816) 235-2454, jacoba@umkc.edu

Admissions

Admission and retention for the M.A. in educational administration, with an emphasis in school (K-12) administration, requires that the following steps be successfully completed:

Admission into Program

  • Undergraduate at least 2.75 GPA.
  • One year teaching experience.
  • Essay statement regarding past, present and future career goals (500 words or less).
  • At least three letters of recommendation.
Acceptance into Practicum

  • Successful completion of all coursework (1) with a B grade or better.
  • Recommendation of the faculty based on content portfolio examination relative to competencies completed that are consistent with MoStep, Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), School of Education and ULAPSIE Division standards and dispositions.
Program Completion and Recommendation for Administrative Certificate

  • Recommendation of the faculty based on content portfolio examination relative to competencies completed that are consistent with MoStep, Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), School of Education and ULAPSIE Division standards and dispositions.
  • Successful completion of the practicum, which includes the employment portfolio.
  • Recommendation of the faculty based on coursework completion, development of an administrative platform and exit presentation.
  • Completion of the student exit survey.
Post-Program Completion

  • Student completion of ULAPSIE graduate survey relative to preparation program and ELCC standards.
  • Employer survey completion (supervisor).
  • Virtual coaching.
  • Focus groups comprised of first-, second- and third-year administrators.
(1) No more than 6 post-undergraduate/graduate credit hours may transfer into the M.A. program.
(2) Students must file a Program Plan of Study while enrolled in the Block Course EDUL 5501.
(3) The Block I Portfolio requirement aims to move students toward intellectual competence and understanding of School of Education and division academic standards (i.e., Educational Leadership Constituent Consortium (ELCC) national standards and MoSTEP state standards).
(4) EDUL 5501 is the prerequisite to EDUL 5502; and EDUL 5502 is the prerequisite to EDUL 5503. These courses are mandatory and cannot be waived. Students must enroll in these courses in sequence.

Degree Requirements

Theoretical and Functional Aspects of Educational Administration (27 hours)

Required core for all level principals:     Hours  
 EDUL 5501*  Foundations of School Leadership  
               and Organization (Block I)       6
 EDUL 5502*  Building Administration
               & Management (Block II)          6
 EDUL 5503*  Student, Staff & Organization
               Development (Block III)          6
 EDUL 5507   School Supervision                 3
 EDUL 5515   Governmental & Legal Aspects
               of Education                     3
 EDUL 5574   Administrative Practicum           3
* EDUL 5501, 5502 and 5503 must be taken sequentially.
EDUL 5501 is offered in the fall and spring semesters only.

Related and Supporting Areas: Curriculum, Humanistic, Behavioral, Research (12 hours)

Curriculum (Required 3 hours)               Hours 
Select one course:
 EDCI 5505   Introduction to Curriculum Theory  3
 EDCI 5506   Currriculum Design                 3
 EDCI 5591   Curriculum & Instruction
               for the 21st Century             3

Humanistic (Required 3 hours) 
Select one course:
 EDUL 5524   Phil. Inquiry and Education        3
 EDUL 5526   Phil. Foundations of Education     3
 EDUL 5527   Hist. Foundations of Education     3

Behavioral (Required 3 hours) 
Select one course:
 EDRP 5502   Advanced Educational Psychology    3
 EDRP 5510   Child Behavior and Development     3
 EDUL 5525   Cultural Foundations of Education  3
 EDUL 5528   Sociological Found. of Education   3
 EDRP 5512*  Adolescent Devel. and the School
   (Meets Middle School cert. requirements)     3
 EDRP 5604   Cognitive Processes in Learning
               & Instruction                    3

Research (Required 3 hours) 
Select one course:
 EDRP 5505   Statistical Methods                3
 EDRP 5508   Principles and Methods of Research
   (Required for Kansas Certification)          3
 EDRP 5522   Principles of Testing              3

Principal Certification

Students seeking administrative certification must first offer proof of holding valid teaching certification at the same level (i.e., elementary or secondary), and have a minimum of two years teaching experience. The M.A. is offered with certification concentrations in elementary school administration or secondary school administration. Additional coursework is required for certification as a middle school administrator.

Those who complete the master of arts in educational administration may be recommended for initial certification as a building administrator (Kansas) or principal (Missouri). Students must complete the educational specialist degree to earn advanced principal certification in Missouri. Advanced certification is required to be a principal in a AAA rated school district in Missouri. In addition to completion of the academic program, Missouri requires all prospective administrators to successfully complete the School Leaders Licensure Assessment.

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