Educational Administration Major, MS

Licensure Alternative, Coursework Only With Comprehensive Exam

The MS program requires 30 credit hours of coursework. 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, Coursework 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, one elective is 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

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• Core Requirements (12 credit hours):

• EDAM 513 - Administrative and Organizational Theory
• EDAM 514 - Leading Professional Learning Communities
• EDAM 548 - Supervision and Personnel Administration
• EDAM 554 - Education Policy and Law

• Specialization (12 credit hours):

• EDAM 523 - Administration of Special Services
• EDAM 583 - Educational Leadership-Principalship
• EDAM 544 - School Finance and Business Management
• EDAM 519 - Curriculum for School Leaders

• Research (3 credit hours):

• EDAM 520 - Using Data for Educational Change & School Improvement

• Licensure Alternative: Internship:

• EDAM 580 - Internship in Educational Administration (3 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 graduate 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

Credit Hours Required

33 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• Core Requirement Courses (12 credit hours):

• EDAM 563 - School and Community Relations
• EDAM 588 - Best Practices for School Leaders
• EDAM 567 - Human Resources and Supervision
• EDAM 574 - Leadership for Change

• Specialization Courses (15 credit hours):

• EDAM 587 - Educational Law
• EDAM 585 - Policy, Equity, and Diversity
• EDAM 578 - Organizational Leadership
• EDAM 576 - Instructional Leadership
• EDAM 572 - Financial Leadership in Schools

• Research Course (3 credit hours):

• EDAM 565 - Data Driven School Leadership

• Internship Courses (3 credit hours):

• EDAM 570 - Aspiring Leaders Seminar
• 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.

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 will enhance their leadership knowledge and skill for service in their current positions. Coursework 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 coursework 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 coursework or GPA 3.00 or higher for prior graduate coursework 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

• Core Requirements (6 credit hours):

• EDAM 513 - Administrative and Organizational Theory
• EDAM 515 - Human Relations and Communication in Administration

• Specialization (18 credit hours):

• EDAM 585 - Policy, Equity, and Diversity
• EDAM 587 - Educational Law
• HEAM 572 - Student Development Theory and Practice in Higher Education
• HEAM 619 - Administration and Governance of Higher Education
• HEAM 650 - Finance and Budgeting in Higher Education
• ELPS 595 - Special Topics

• Research (6 credit hours):

• HEAM 517 - Assessment in Student Affairs
• EDAM 521 - Statistics for Educators