Volunteer Online Leadership Studies (V.O.L.S.) Specialization. The University of Tennessee’s educational administration program offers a Master of Science with a major in Educational Administration with licensure and non-licensure alternatives. The coursework is delivered in an online format through distance education.
Leadership Academy Specialization. The Leadership Academy offers a 15-month intensive leadership preparation program that offers a Master of Science degree with a major in Educational Administration Students (called “Fellows”) in the Leadership Academy must be available on Monday through Thursday of each week for an intensive internship experience under the direction of a school mentor (e.g., the school principal). On Fridays, classes are conducted in order to complete the required curriculum and meet the knowledge and skill standards for initial certification as a beginning school leader.
Options Available
- Volunteer Online Leadership Studies (V.O.L.S.) Specialization
- Licensure Alternative — Courses Only with Comprehensive Exam
- Non-Licensure Alternative — Courses Only with Comprehensive Exam
- Leadership Academy Specialization
- Capstone Research Project (course only option without Comprehensive Exam)
Campus Code
Distance Education — Volunteer Online Leadership Studies (V.O.L.S.) Specialization Licensure Alternative or Non-Licensure Alternative
Knoxville Campus — Leadership Academy Specialization
Admissions Standards/Procedures
- Volunteer Online Leadership Studies (V.O.L.S.) specialization
- A completed online application must be received by both the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, educational administration program.
- A grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 or higher for undergraduate work or GPA 3.20 or higher for prior graduate work is required.
- Applicants to the Master of Science program must possess teacher or school-related licensure; have three years teaching experience or experience working in schools; and must interview with an admission committee.
- Candidates for the educational administration major must possess leadership potential preferably demonstrated by previous leadership experience. Three rating forms must be provided with recommendations from three present or former employers that identify a candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and leadership potential.
- Interviews with applicants are held each year starting in April. Courses officially start in June.
- Leadership Academy specialization
- Admission to the Leadership Academy is highly selective. Information about the Leadership Academy and the application process can be obtained from https://cel.utk.edu/.
Volunteer Online Leadership Studies (V.O.L.S.) Specialization
The Master of Science degree with a major in Educational Administration, specialization in Volunteer Online Leadership Studies, requires 36 credit hours of graduate course work. The internship includes 350 hours of field-based experience under the mentor’s direction, and is supervised through course EDAM 580 .
Licensure Alternative, Courses Only with Comprehensive Exam
The MS program requires 36 credit hours of course work. Online classes are combined with on-the-job internship activities organized around real school problems. The school principal and a faculty representative of the Educational Administration and Supervision program together supervise the internship.
The desired outcome of the program leading to licensure as a school administrator is to produce thoughtful principal and supervisory practitioners with the skills and scholarship to provide quality leadership to the organizations they serve. Graduates are expected to have a vision of quality education combined with good leadership skills to lead our schools in the twenty-first century.
The program leading to licensure as a school administrator is designed around the standards developed by the State of Tennessee, The Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS), and by the Professional Standards for Educational Leader (PSEL) for the knowledge and skills required today for a school principal. It meets the certification requirements of the Tennessee State Board of Education. The program is also accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and recognized by the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) indicating national recognition as a quality program.
Courses for this program are offered online through Distance Education. Program completion and recommendation for licensure requires a final comprehensive examination, a minimum competency score on the School Leader Licensure Assessment, and the submission professional learning portfolio.
Non-Licensure Alternative, Courses Only with Comprehensive Exam
The non-licensure alternative program is designed to prepare leaders for a variety of settings in schools and in other social service agencies. Course of study is consistent with the degree program selected; however, two electives are required in lieu of an internship. The non-licensure alterative is required for all out of state students. Program completion requires a final comprehensive examination.
Credit Hours Required
36 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Core Requirements (12 credit hours)
- Specialization (15 credit hours)
- Research (3 credit hours)
- Licensure Alternative: Internship
- EDAM 580 (6 credit hours; required for Licensure Students; The internship, which includes a minimum of 350 hours of field-based experience under the mentor’s direction)
- Non-Licensure Alternative: Students select two courses (6 credit hours) of electives chose in consultation with the major advisor.
Non-Course Requirements
- Licensure Students: The Master of Science degree requires 350 hours of field-based experience under the mentor’s direction, a minimum competency score on the School Leader Licensure Assessment, and the submission of a professional learning portfolio
- Non-Licensure Students: Comprehensive examination
Leadership Academy Specialization (Capstone Research Project)
The Master of Science degree with a major in Educational Administration, specialization in Leadership Academy, requires 33 credit hours of graduate course work. The internship, which includes a minimum of 400 hours of field-based experience under the mentor’s direction, is supervised through course EDAM 570 .
Credit Hours Required
33 graduate credit hours
Required Courses
- Core Requirement Courses (12 credit hours)
- Specialization Courses (15 credit hours)
- Research Course (3 credit hours)
- Internship Courses (3 credit hours)
- EDAM 570
- The internship, which includes a minimum of 400 hours of field-based experience under the mentor’s direction
Non-Course Requirements
- The Master of Science degree, with a specialization in Leadership Academy requires a minimum of 400 hours of field-based experience under the mentor’s direction, a minimum competency score on the School Leader Licensure Assessment, the submission of a professional learning portfolio and an action research paper in lieu of a comprehensive exam on a topic relevant to educational leadership.
