Educational Specialist: Educational Administration
Program Description
The educational specialist degree in educational administration (accredited by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) prepares teachers for specialization in school leadership and administration. The program also provides an opportunity for practicing administrators to enhance their professional skills and to connect with other practitioners from the metropolitan area and region. To this end, the program's emphasis is the development of broad understanding and experiences across the whole professional field, the acquisition of in-depth knowledge in at least one specialized field in educational administration, and integrative experiences demonstrating the application of theory to practice. Upon completion of the program and successful passing scores of the state required assessments, graduates will be recommended for K12 School Leader certification.
An earned M.A. is required for the completion of the Educational Specialist degree.
Ed.Sp. K-12 School Administration (Hybrid - On Campus and Online)
The Ed.Sp. degree with emphasis in school administration prepares teachers for specialization in school leadership and administration. The program also provides an opportunity for practicing administrators to enhance their professional skills and to connect with other practitioners from the metropolitan area and region. Students in the program gain a broad understanding across the professional field, the acquisition of in-depth knowledge in at least one specialized field in educational administration, and integrative experiences demonstrating the application of theory to practice.
Ed.Sp Executive Superintendency (Online)
The online Ed.Sp. degree with emphasis in executive superintendency prepares experienced principals or building administrators for specialization in central office positions, including superintendent or associate superintendent roles. The program provides an opportunity for practicing administrators to enhance their professional skills and gain a deeper understanding across the professional field including facilities planning, school finance, governmental and legal aspects of special education, and other integrate experiences that bring together the application of theory to practice. Upon completion of the program of study and passing the School Superintendent's Assessment, graduates will be recommended for Superintendent K12 certification.
This program is designed to prepare current building administrators and curriculum leaders for professional educator roles in a district-level setting. The degree leads to superintendent certification eligibility in Missouri and Kansas.
An earned K12 School Administration M.A. is required for completion of the Educational Specialist degree.
Requirements for Admission
Candidates must:
- Provide a copy of a valid teaching certificate
- Provide a copy of a current permanent or professional school administrator/principal license/certificate to teach.
- Have at least two years of full-time certified teaching, supervisory, or administrative experience, or any combination thereof, in elementary, middle or secondary schools under a fully licensed teaching certificate (temporary or provisional certification does not meet this requirement).
- Provide a transcript demonstrating completion of a course in psychology or education of the exceptional child.
- Possess a master's degree with a GPA of at least 3.25
Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from this program will:
- use multiple data to describe school climate and culture including demographic information regarding students, faculty, and community;
- conduct a comprehensive analysis of the school’s improvement plan and its alignment with student learning outcomes;
- communicate effectively with all stakeholders: students, staff, parents, community and central office administration;
- engage in activities and best practices related to both formative and summative assessments to promote instructional improvement;
- identify legal implications related to school operations involving all stakeholders: students, staff, parents, community members, and central office administration;
- engage in a reflective exercise related to building-level staff and professional development experiences that promote student learning.
Curriculum
A minimum of 33 credit hours is required for all emphasis areas for the Education Specialist in Educational Administration.
Program Requirements: Executive Superintendency Emphasis
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-UL 5626 | Theory In Educational Administration | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5660 | Effective Practices II | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5628 | The Superintendency | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5531 | Educational Leadership and Human Resources | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5535 | Current Topics in Urban School Leadership | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5523 | Administrative Roles For Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5627 | Advanced Educational Supervision | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5515 | Governmental And Legal Aspects Of Education | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5616 | Analysis Of Educational Theory Formation | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5512 | School Finance | 3 |
| EDUC-UL 5575 | Internship In Administration | 3 |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Certification Requirements:
- 300 Supervisor Approved District Level Internship Fieldwork Hours
- Executive Superintendent Ed.Sp. Degree Program Completion
- Missouri Content Exam Assessment for Superintendent (59) - Passing Score of 220
Program Requirements: PK-12 Emphasis
Individual programs will be designed with the assistance of the faculty advisor to develop competencies in the theoretical, technical and functional aspects of educational administration.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The basic prerequisite course for the K12 program is: | ||
| EDUC-UL 5501 | Foundations Of School Leadership & Organization | 3 |
| Completion of the following is required in all programs: | ||
| EDUC-UL 5574 | Administrative Practicum | 6 |
| EDUC-UL 5575 | Internship In Administration | 15 |
| Also required are 3 credit hour of research coursework to include the following: | ||
| EDUC-R&P 5505 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| In addition to 27 hours of course work in education administration, the internship, and research, candidates are required to complete 6 credit hours of course work in the supporting areas of curriculum theory or design and historical or cultural foundations. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
Note: Students should identify a faculty advisor in Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations at the time of admission to the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences. Final program planning is a joint responsibility of the candidate and, the faculty advisor.
Requirements for Graduation
In addition to the general School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences graduate degree requirements, the Ed.Sp. degree in educational administration K12 School Leadership also requires:
- Building Level 1 Administrator Content Assessment (080) - passing score: 220
- Performance Assessment for Aspiring Building Administrators (PAABA) - passing score: 10
- A minimum of 320 supervisor - approved Fieldwork Hours
- Ed.Sp. Degree and program completion in Education Administration – 36 Graduate Hours
In addition to the general School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences graduate degree requirements, the Ed.Sp. degree in educational administration Executive Superintendency also requires:
- Pearson Content Exam- Superintendent (059) –passing score: 220
- A minimum of 300 supervisor-approved fieldwork hours
- Ed.S. degree and program completion in Education Administration