EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

The Educational Administration Program at the master’s degree level prepares individuals to be elementary and/or secondary school principals. This program is designed to focus on the leadership role of administrators in providing the best educational climate for students and staff. Therefore, graduate students are trained in the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to be effective administrators according to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) program recognition standards. 

As visionary leaders in educational settings, the graduate candidates have integrated in their Educational Administration Program the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for success in communication, thinking skills, methodology, leadership, professionalism, assessment, and inclusive learning environments.

This program requires that the student be qualified for or have a teaching certificate.  It is the responsibility of the students to check with their state on specific required courses needed to obtain their administrative endorsement/certificate and to choose their elective courses to meet these state requirements.

Students seeking certification for the Education Administration endorsement will be required to successfully complete the PRAXIS II content test prior to graduation.

Four Year Course Rotation

Entrance requirements for the Master of Arts in Education

• Complete application
• Earned baccalaureate degree from a regional accredited institution
• Official transcripts from the college/university which issued bachelor's degree.
• Official transcripts from any institutions attended after receiving bachelor's degree (if applicable)
• Applicants must hold a teaching certificate or be qualified for a teaching certificate
• Administrative applicants will be required to have teaching experience and course work completed prior to full admission

Student Learning Outcomes (Candidate Competencies)

Candidates for the Masters of Arts in Education (MAE) in Elementary, Secondary Administration, or other specialized administrative positions will provide leadership in the school setting.

Students graduating with the MAE in Educational Administration will be able to:

1. Lead and organize the collaborative development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school or district vision of learning supported by the school community. (Communication, Thinking Skills, Inclusive Learning Environments)
2. Lead and promote a positive school culture, providing an effective standards-based instructional program, applying best practice to student learning, and designing comprehensive professional growth plans for staff based on identified needs. (Methodology, Professionalism, Assessment, Thinking Skills, Inclusive Learning Environments)
3. Lead and promote the success of all students by managing the organization, operations, and resources in a way that promotes a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. (Communication, Thinking Skills, Methodology, Professionalism)
4. Demonstrate the knowledge, ability, and dispositions to promote the success of all students by collaborating with families and other community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources. (Communication, Methodology, Inclusive Learning Environments)
5. Demonstrate the skill, knowledge, and ability to promote the success of all students by acting fairly, with integrity, and in an ethical manner. (Inclusive Learning Environments, Communication, Professionalism)
6. Demonstrate the skill, knowledge, and ability to respond to and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context. (Professionalism, Thinking Skills, Inclusive Learning Environments)
7. Demonstrate the ability to accept genuine responsibility for leading, facilitating, and making decisions typical of those made by educational leaders. (Communication, Thinking Skills, Methodology, Professionalism, Assessment, Inclusive Learning Environments)

PROGRAM OF STUDY EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION- PRINCIPAL: PK-8, 7-12, PK-12 ⸺ 36-45 Credit Hours Total

Administrative certification is based on the requirements set by the Nebraska Department of Education. All administrative certificates in Nebraska have a minimum requirement that includes completion of an initial Education Preparation Program that requires a Student Teaching experience at either the baccalaureate or master level. Therefore, graduate candidates seeking a recommendation from the CSC Certification Officer should understand that recommendations will be based on prior completion of an initial Education Preparation Program where an endorsement at either the Elementary, Middle, or Secondary level was obtained. 

Candidates who do not meet Nebraska certification requirements will use the Master of Arts in Education Degree as their documentation of program completion and will not receive a recommendation for certification/licensure from the CSC Certification Officer. 

In consultation with the CSC Certification Officer, the qualified candidate (above) can obtain a provisional administrative certificate once a minimum of 50% of the program credit hours have been completed. The Praxis II test for Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision is required for graduation.  Students seeking certification of this endorsement in Nebraska must reach the state minimum cut score (or higher) required for Nebraska Licensure. If seeking Nebraska Principal Administrative certification, candidates must meet all State of Nebraska requirements for a teaching certificate, as well as a minimum of two (2) years full-time teaching experience by the time of application for licensure.

For the Educational Administration PK-8 Degree:

With an Undergraduate K-8, 5-9, or PK-12 Degree from Courses (listed below)

1. Basic Core Courses
2.  Administrative Requirements
3. Electives – 6 credits
4. PRAXIS II

With an Undergraduate 7-12 Degree from Courses (listed below)

1. Basic Core Courses 
2. Administrative Requirements
3. Electives – 6 credits
4. PK-8 Endorsement Electives – 9 credits
5. PRAXIS II

For the Educational Administration 7-12 Degree:

With an Undergraduate 7-12 Degree from Courses (listed below)

1. Basic Core Courses
2.  Administrative Requirements
3. Electives – 6 credits
4. PRAXIS II

With an Undergraduate K-8, 5-9, or PK-12 Degree from Courses (listed below)

1. Basic Core Courses 
2. Administrative Requirements
3. Electives – 6 credits
4. 7-12 Endorsement Electives – 9 credits
5. PRAXIS II

For the Educational Administration PK-12 Degree:

With an Undergraduate PK-12 or 5-9 Degree from Courses (listed below)

1. Basic Core Courses
2. Administrative Requirements
3. Electives – 6 credits
4. PRAXIS II

With an Undergraduate K-8 or 7-12 Degree from Courses (listed below)

1. Basic Core Courses 
2. Administrative Requirements
3. Electives – 6 credits
4. Either K-8 or 7-12 Endorsement Electives – 9 credits
5. PRAXIS II

Courses

Listed below is the course work required by the Program:

PROGRAM OF STUDY EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION- PRINCIPAL (PK-12) AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR (BIRTH-GRADE 12) ⸺ 42 Credit Hours Total

This focus area is designed for an Education Administration candidate who holds a Special Education endorsement and desires preparation for the Director/Supervisor of Special Education programs. Two years of successful teaching experience is a prerequisite for certification. In consultation with the CSC Certification Officer, the candidate can obtain a provisional administrative certificate once a minimum of 50% of the program credit hours have been completed. The Praxis II test for Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision is required for graduation. 

Courses

Listed below is the course work required by the Program: