Educational Leadership

2010 Updates

Table of contents

Educational Leadership

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Licensure/Non-Licensure Programs

The Department of Special Services and Leadership Studies is responsible for the preparation of school superintendents, secondary school principals, middle school principals, elementary school principals, associated administrative and supervisory personnel, and for professional preparation in the area of community college/higher education.

Programs for the preparation of administrators, supervisors, and community college personnel may lead to the Master of Science and/or Specialist in Education degrees and licensure for the respective positions.

Experiences will also be provided for educators who will be in leadership roles for such activities as chapter/title programs, school/district curriculum projects and leadership duties in other human services professions. These experiences may involve one or more of the following five interrelated areas: measurement, evaluation, statistical analyses, computer usage and research design.

Admission to Programs in Educational Leadership

Students beginning a program of preparation for educational leadership must meet requirements beyond those for general admission to graduate study in the university and for other majors in the College of Education. Criteria for admission include a combination of characteristics considered to be related to and predictive of success in a program of preparation and in a position in the field.

All applicants to programs of preparation for the Master's degree in building level licensure must meet the following criteria.

Admissions Criteria

The admissions criteria for the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership includes the following:

1. The student will have a history of assuming leadership roles in a variety of settings.
2. The student will demonstrate effective writing skills.
3. The student will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others.
4. The student will show a commitment to assuming leadership roles within organizations.
5. The student will demonstrate a history of meeting deadlines and satisfactorily accomplishing major tasks.
6. The student will have a GPA of at least 3.00 for one of the following:
   1. The last two years of undergraduate work for those students who have only an undergraduate degree and less than nine hours of graduate work.
   2. Nine hours or more of current graduate credit courses.
   3. A completed graduate degree.

Admissions Process

All students who first apply to the Educational Leadership Master's Program will be conditionally admitted as long as they show evidence that they completed or will complete at the end of the semester an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.

After completion of 12 graduate hours in the program, the student will submit a leadership portfolio that the Educational Leadership faculty will review to decide on full admittance to the Master's Program.

The Educational Leadership Admission Committee will meet three times during the year to decide whether or not to fully admit students to the program.During the review of student portfolios, faculty will use an established rubric to judge a student's potential for success in the program.These Admissions Meetings will occur on or around October 15, March 15 and July 1.

The course requirements of SSLS 800 will include the creation of this leadership portfolio. If a student does not take SSLS 800 as one of the first nine hours, the student will individually compile the leadership portfolio along with a written statement justification for not including SSLS 800 as one of their first nine hours in the program. One member of the Educational Leadership faculty will take responsibility for helping them compile the required portfolio.

The leadership portfolio will include the following:

1. An application for admission to Graduate School.
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended by the student.
3. Two letters of recommendation from supervisors and/or professional peers; one must attest, with concrete examples, to the student's potential as an educational leader.
4. A resume of educational and professional experiences.
5. A copy of current licensure (if wanting to pursue building level licensure).
6. A written statement of the student's professional goals.
7. A written leadership autobiography describing the leadership roles the student has assumed during his/her adult life.
8. Work samples prepared individually by the student from each of four courses (1st 12 hours completed).
9. Documentation of the student’s ability to work collaboratively.
10. Documentation of the student’s history of meeting deadlines and satisfactorily accomplishing major tasks.

Admissions Criteria and Process for Those Seeking Building Licensure Only

Students who wish only to take courses required for building licensure and not receive a degree must also meet the same admissions criteria detailed above if they wish for Pittsburg State University to recommend them for licensure to the appropriate state department of education.They must prepare a portfolio and submit it for review by the Educational Leadership Admission Committee at one of its triennial meetings.

Program Objectives:

The master's degree program in educational leadership requires a minimum of 36 hours and is designed to prepare licensed leaders to assume School Principalships and non-licensed leaders to assume leadership roles in school and other settings. All department requirements must be completed prior to admission to candidacy.For the Master of Science degree with a major in Educational Leadership, the following requirements must be met:

Program Guide

Note: Students interested in the non-licensure emphasis but who work in a school setting are strongly encouraged to take SSLS 855 Administration and Supervision of Special Education.

Procedural Steps for Master's Degree

1. Apply for and be admitted conditionally to the Master's in Educational Leadership program through the Office of Continuing and Graduate Studies;
2. After the completion of 12 graduate hours, compile Leadership Portfolio and submit to the Educational Leadership Admissions Committee;
3. Be fully admitted to Master's in Educational Leadership program;
4. Apply for candidacy in conference with advisor;
5. Petition the Continuing and Graduate Studies Office to graduate.