Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Administration Major, MS


Online Leadership Studies 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 course work 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

Campus Code

Distance Education — Higher Education Administration concentration

Distance Education — Instructional Leadership concentration
       Online Leadership Studies Specialization (Licensure Alternative or Non-Licensure Alternative)

Knoxville Campus — Instructional Leadership concentration, Leadership Academy Specialization

Admissions Standards/Procedures

  • Online Leadership Studies 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/.

Online Leadership Studies Specialization

The Master of Science degree with a major in Educational Administration, specialization in 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

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.

 

Educational Administration Major (MS) - Higher Education Administration Concentration

     Higher Education Administration concentration – Course only without Comprehensive Exams

Campus Code:

     Distance Education

Program Description

The University of Tennessee offers a Distance Education Master of Science degree with a major in Educational Administration with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. The degree offers advanced graduate study for individuals who aspire to work in higher education settings including postsecondary institutions, policy and research centers, and government agencies. In addition, professionals who currently work in a higher education setting but do not possess a higher education degree can will enhance their leadership knowledge and skill for service in their current positions. Course work is delivered in a personalized, engaging format blending theoretical study with application through case study, reflection, thoughtful debate, and guided review of readings. The program features a core sequence in educational leadership, a specialized focus on higher education administration, policy, and legal aspects and a research concentration on evaluation and data use. Students pursing this degree will enhance their leadership and management ability, develop policy knowledge toward effective practice, and build a practical research and evaluation skillset. The course work is delivered in an online format through distance education and can be completed in 12-15 months.

Admissions Standards/Procedures

A completed online application must be received by both the Office of Graduate Admissions and the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with a current resume or CV and a letter of introduction addressing the following prompts (limited to 500 words).

  • Identify your career goals related to work in a higher education setting.
  • Identify ways you believe this degree can assist you in reaching your goals.
  • Describe the strengths you possess for completing a graduate degree online.
  • Describe the challenges you anticipate for completing a graduate degree online.

A grade point average (GPA) of 2.70 or higher for undergraduate course work or GPA 3.00 or higher for prior graduate course work is required.

Three letters of recommendation. Raters should assess your academic background and likely success in a rigorous program. If you are a recent graduate, you should include one or more faculty members who can attest to your work as a student. Other appropriate raters include work supervisors. Family members and personal friends are not appropriate raters. You need to prompt your raters to submit their forms to the Graduate Admissions.

Official transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work.

Admissions will be each August and January and include an online orientation prior to the start of coursework.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses