Education: Educational Leadership / 61
Program Admission Requirements
Upon admission to graduate study, students pursuing a M.S.Ed. in Educational Leadership must submit to the department three references from individuals in supervising positions. The references will address the candidate’s abilities and experiences in collaboration, ethical behavior, diversity, and community involvement. All students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 on the undergraduate transcript or an undergraduate overall GPA of 2.50 to 2.74 and a 3.00 GPA in eight hours of required graduate coursework in the major program where admission is requested. Students with less than two years teaching experience must attain a minimum combined score of 280 on the verbal and quantitative sections and at least a 3.5 on the writing sample section of the GRE. Scores must be submitted no later than the end of the first trimester of enrollment. A student failing to achieve the required admission score may retake the exam. If, after a second attempt, the student is unable to attain the required admission score, he/she may write a petition of appeal to the department. The department chairperson will appoint a committee consisting of department members, and include professors who have had the student in class. The following will be evaluated on appeal:
- A writing skills assessment.
- An oral presentation to the committee.
- A personal interview.
- A record of successful employment in education.
The committee will make one of the following decisions:
- The student will be admitted to the program unconditionally.
- The student will remain in the program with conditions.
- The student will not be admitted to the program.
Students with more than two years teaching experience are eligible to take the Departmental Admission Exam (DAE) in lieu of the GRE. The DAE will consist of several vignettes, case studies, and in-basket activities based on the Missouri Leader Standards. This exam will also meet the writing assessment requirement.
Oral Assessment and Writing Assessment
Students wishing to pursue a graduate degree in Professional Education in the program area of Educational Leadership must successfully complete both an oral (M.S. only) and a writing assessment during their first trimester of enrollment. The writing assessment may be met through a score of 3.5 or above for master’s level and 4.0 or above for specialist on the analytical writing portion of the GRE. If candidates do not achieve the required writing assessment score on the GRE exam they may appeal to the department chair to complete a supervised writing assessment conducted by the department during the first trimester of enrollment. The oral assessment will be met through a classroom activity. Students entering the Ed.S. program who have previously completed the oral and writing assessments (when admitted to the Northwest master’s program) are exempt.
All majors seeking certification in Missouri must have completed EDCI 62641 Educating the Exceptional Child if the equivalent was not met in the undergraduate coursework. Certification is determined by requirements in the various states. Completion of the program in school administration does not guarantee certification.
Portfolio Requirement
All students seeking a Master’s in Educational Leadership or 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
Many courses 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.