Master of Arts (M.A.)
School Administration (MSA)
Program Highlights & Benefits
Provides a foundation in the principles and procedures of educational administration
100% pass rate on state exam (5412 or 6690)
Affordable tuition
No special computer skills required, user friendly format
What You Learn
This program is for current teachers or administrators who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in educational leadership while working towards North Carolina state licensure as a School Administrator.
Master of Arts School Administration (MSA) focuses on preparing experienced teachers to serve as educational leaders; it is designed to relate to the needs of educators in both theory and practice. The program is designed to meet the following program goals for prospective school administrators:
- provide a foundation in the principles and procedures of educational administration, curriculum development, and instructional improvement;
- promote the development of the ability to implement and evaluate models of instruction and methods of supervision in the classroom and other school settings;
- foster the development of the ability to evaluate classroom teachers within an academic environment;
- develop the capacity to interpret and implement educational research in the total school program; and
- provide preparation for service as instructional and educational leaders.
How You Learn
A five semester MSA program with an integrated curriculum will be offered. Each semester students will take one module, consisting of six integrated semester hours with one 2-semester hour internship during the first, third, and fifth semesters.
Fully Online: You will log into Blackboard to complete assignments, participate in online discussions, and complete group activities. While there are no face-to-face meetings, some of the activities may include chats, discussion boards, recorded and/or live webinars, and various web links for viewing. While your classes will operate in Blackboard, your final project will be stored as an electronic portfolio using TaskStream. The electronic portfolio is required for North Carolina licensure. Upon full acceptance to the online program you will be required to complete online certification to verify your proficiency in an online environment.
Career Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will have earned a Master of Arts School Administration (MSA) and will be subject to state licensure requirements in order to receive North Carolina state licensure as a School Administrator. Applicants with an earned master’s degree in an education-related field may earn up to 12 transfer credit hours and complete the program in three consecutive semesters.
Prerequisites
Students in the Master of Arts School Administration program must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 2.50 grade point average for all coursework beyond high school. A minimum of 4 years of NCDPI-recognized teaching experience is required by the time the student completes the program.
Degree Requirements
Course | Title | Hours |
First Semester | ||
MELS 601 | Executive Leadership in a 21st Century Change Environment | 6 |
MELS 697 | Executive Leadership Internship | 2 |
Second Semester | ||
MELS 602 | Research and Assessment for 21st Century Executive Leaders | 6 |
Third Semester | ||
MELS 603 | Resource Management for 21st Century Executive Leaders | 6 |
MELS 697 | Executive Leadership Internship | 2 |
Fourth Semester | ||
MELS 604 | 21st Century Curriculum & Instructional Development | 6 |
MELS 697 | Executive Leadership Internship | 1 |
Fifth Semester | ||
MELS 605 | 21st Century School Leadership | 6 |
MELS 697 | Executive Leadership Internship | 2 |
Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Please Note:
This is not an official schedule and your cohort may take these courses in a different order.
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