School Administration Degree Program & School Administration Add-on for Licensure

Master of School Administration Degree Program

The program course of study for the Master of School Administration (MSA) degree is designed to prepare school executives as innovative leaders who are able to transform communities. These leadership roles include superintendents, central office administrators, principals, and assistant principals.

School Administration Add-on for Licensure

The School Administration Add-on for Licensure is designed for individuals who currently hold a master's in an education-related field (M.A.T., Counseling, Curriculum & Instruction, Instructional Technology, etc.) and have completed 4 years of teaching (or other professional education experience). The School Administration Add-on for Licensure program is designed to prepare school executives to serve as leaders in roles such as superintendent, central office administrator, principals, and assistant principal.

Guidelines and Competencies

The Guidelines and Competencies of the North Carolina State Department of Public. Instruction (NCDPI), the National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards (NELP), the Professional Standards for Educational Leadership (PSEL), and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) serve as the template for the design of the Master of School Administration program and the School Administration Add-on for Licensure.

Coursework emphasizes the core functions of high achieving schools: challenging curriculum, effective instruction, innovative pedagogy, and student achievement. Effective principals are those who are able to create educational environments that are responsive to the needs of the school community. These principals are able to validate the unique identity of community members as well as their educational history.

The N.C. A&T MSA program and the School Administration Add-on for Licensure offerings are tailored to accommodate the unique needs of all candidates, but to ensure that they possess the knowledge, skills and disposition needed to lead in educational environments.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Master of School Administration program are derived from the NELP-National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards, PSEL-Professional Standards for Educational Leadership, the SLLA-School Leaders Licensure Assessment Standards, and the NCDPI Pre-Service School Executive Standards.

1. 1. Strategic Leadership
   2. Instructional Leadership
   3. Cultural Leadership
   4. Human Resource Leadership
   5. Managerial Leadership
   6. External Development Leadership
   7. Micro-Political Leadership
   8. Academic Achievement Leadership

Relevant accreditations endorsing our program include:

• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
• American Council on Education
• Institutional Report Gainful Employment

Licensure Information

To become licensed as an administrator in the State of North Carolina, one must meet the Qualifications for certification under G.S. 115C‐290.7 as follows:

1. Submit a complete application to the State Board. 2. Pay the applicable fee. 3. Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or accredited university. 4. Either (i) have a graduate degree from a public school administration program that meets the public school administrator program approval standards set by the state Board of Education, or (ii) have a master’s degree from an accredited college or accredited university and have completed by 5. December 31, 1999, a public school administration program that meets the public school administration approval standards set by the State Board of Education. 
   6. Adhere to the University’s guidelines regarding program completion.

For additional information, visit North Carolina Licensure at http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/licensure/