Education: Educational Leadership / 61
Educational Leadership: K-12, 30 credit hours, MSEd
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Educational Leadership must meet the admission requirements of the University and department as stated in this catalog. See admission requirements under specific program descriptions.
Program Admission Requirements
MSEd Educational Leadership: K-12
Applicants must qualify with both of the following:
- A minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript OR an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 and a 3.0 GPA on six hours of required graduate coursework at Northwest in the major program where admission is requested.
- Documentation of one of the following:
- 3.5 or higher on the analytical writing measure of the GRE OR
- successful completion of another Master's Degree from regionally accredited institution of higher education with at least a 2.75 GPA OR
- National Board Certification OR
- Successful completion of nationally normed educational performance assessment (MoPTA, EdTPA) OR
- valid state issued teaching certificate OR
- two years of previous teaching experience with a valid teaching certificate OR
- departmental analytical writing assessment that is evaluated using a writing scoring guide based on the modified CUNY scales with a score of 4.0 or higher
Written Assessment of Competency Mastery (Master's)
All students seeking a Master's in Educational Leadership: K-12 degree are required to complete the Written Assessment of Competency Mastery. The assessment will include reference to artifacts/course content, their relationship to PSEL/NELP standards, and reflection on personal growth as an educational leader.
This assessment will be given during the 61-668 Practicum in School Leadership (Capstone) course.
Research Component (Master's)
The student will participate in a research component related to the use of data in the field of education. This data project will be completed during the Data Literacy and Assessment for Schools course. A research component form must be turned into the Graduate Office prior to graduation.
Program Outcomes - Linked to University Outcomes
The program completer who successfully completes the building level educational leadership preparation program demonstrates the capability to create quality educational experiences of all students by enlisting all stakeholders in the development and implementation of a vision promoting a positive school culture - leadership.
The program completer who successfully completes the building level educational leadership preparation program demonstrates the ability to foster relationships through creation of effective systems for communication, engagement, partnerships and advocacy resulting in the success and well-being of students - communicating.
The program completer who successfully completes the building level educational leadership preparation program demonstrates the promotion of student learning through a synthesis of curriculum planning and design, research based instructional practice, data literacy, and assessment, and effective learning supports - critical thinking.
The program completer who successfully completes the building level educational leadership preparation program demonstrates the importance of challenging the status quo through innovative actions supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion resulting in a professional culture for student achievement - diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The program completer who successfully completes the building level educational leadership preparation program demonstrates skills to cooperatively implement systems that ethically support students and staff academically, behaviorally, and operationally through data analysis, fiscal management, and legal compliance - teamwork.
Portfolio Requirement - Specialist
All students seeking a Specialist in Education degree are required to compile and submit a professional portfolio. The portfolio should be designed to convey a clear picture of the student’s professional philosophy, motivations and capabilities.
The Educational Leadership portfolio is based on the Missouri School Leaders Performance Assessment. The portfolio should provide evidence that the candidate has demonstrated competency based on these tasks.
The portfolio should include: Current Résumé (1-2 pages); Professional Development Plan Candidates who complete an advanced program in Educational Leadership should provide evidence based on the Missouri Leader Standards that they possess professional knowledge, skills and dispositions. Evidence should be based upon artifacts and reflections that come from the practicum experience as outlined in the practicum/intern seminar.
The portfolio should also include artifacts and reflections that indicate they can provide and promote:
Standard 1: The Shared Vision of Learning
Standard 2: The Culture of Teaching and Learning
Standard 3: The Management of Organizational Systems
Standard 4: Collaboration with Families and Stakeholders
Standard 5: Integrity, Fairness and Ethics in Learning
Standard 6: Professional Development
The student should maintain this portfolio during the program and internship. It will be reviewed at the practicum/intern seminar and must be submitted at the time of the portfolio defense as established by the department. Each candidate must present the portfolio to be assessed and defend the work to a department committee.
Program Delivery - Specialist
Many courses in the Specialist program are offered using a blended model. The student may enroll in two courses at the same time on the same night. Each class meets for four clock hours on five nights throughout the trimester, for a total of 20 clock hours of direct instruction. These hours will be supplemented by 15 clock hours of field-based experience, and 20 clock hours of online instruction.