Educational Administration Major, MS

Concentrations and Options Available

Within the Educational Administration Major, students will select one of the two concentrations below which will guide their coursework:

• Higher Education Administration Concentration — Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exam Option
• K12 Instructional Leadership Concentration 
  • Online Leadership Studies Specialization 
    • Licensure Alternative — Coursework Only With Comprehensive Exam Option
    • Non-Licensure Alternative — Coursework Only With Comprehensive Exam Option

Additional information on admissions standards, professional outcomes, and coursework for each concentration are provided below.

Campus Code

• Distance Education

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• For both concentrations, students must meet all current graduate school admission requirements and departmental requirements in addition to submitting a graduate school application and any departmental supplemental application materials.
• For specific departmental application requirements, please visit the K-12 Instructional Leadership concentration webpage or the Higher Education Administration concentration webpage.

Higher Education Concentration (Coursework Only Without Comprehensive Exams)

The University of Tennessee offers a Distance Education Master of Science degree 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 pursuing 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 asynchronous online format through distance education and can be completed in 12-15 months or longer.

K12 Instructional Leadership Concentration

The University of Tennessee’s educational administration program offers a Master of Science with a major in Educational Administration with a concentration in K12 Instructional Leadership. This program is intended for K12 educators (which includes teachers, counselors, school psychologists, speech pathologists, etc.) who are interested in enriching their knowledge, skills, and values requisite to effective leadership in K12 educational practice settings. The program offers both licensure and non-licensure pathways. The licensure pathway includes a requirement for a clinical fieldwork experience in an approved Tennessee school and leads to a Tennessee Instructional Leadership License (ILL) once all elements of the program are successfully completed. Students will be required to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) praxis exam and score above the state-established cut-off score to be recommended for licensure. For additional information, please visit the Educational Administration program webpage.

Leadership Academy Specialization (currently not accepting students)

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.