Master of Science in Administration (MSA)

Educational Administration (36 credit hours)

Faculty

Robert Redmond, Associate Professor
V.R. Nemani, Associate Professor
Eric Grosse, Assistant Professor

Description

The Master of Science in Administration (MSA) in Educational Administration is a 36-credit hour degree program designed to prepare students for administrative or instructional leader positions in educational settings. The program consists of a common content core (24 credits), a specialization area (12 credits) in either The Principalship or Instructional Leadership, and a required internship and final project in administration (six credits) relating to the student's area of specialization. The internship and final project enables each student to apply theoretical knowledge, while practicing the skills and strategies needed for effective leadership.

Through a carefully sequenced course of study, students acquire essential knowledge and skills in the technical, financial, and managerial aspects of school administration. The program may be completed on either a full-time or part-time basis, including a limited enrollment weekend cohort program.

The MSA in Educational Administration is fully accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education Certification (NASDTEC). The accreditation carries reciprocal certification agreements with approximately 33 states affiliated with the Interstate Reciprocity Agreement established by NASDTEC.

Content Core:

EDAD 601 Leadership, Management, and Evaluation
EDAD 602 Technology and Systems
EDAD 603 The School, The Community, and The Society
EDAD 604 Staff and Group Development
EDAD 605 Curriculum and Program Development
EDAD 607 Cultural Diversity
ADM 501 Language and Meaning
EDU 599 Introduction to Research
or
EDU 599B Research in Education

Directed Elective Related to Specialization*

EDU 576T Effective Schools and Effective Instruction (For Instructional Leadership only)
EDAD 606 Legal and Financial Issues (For Principalship only)

*Students take one three-credit elective course, with written approval of their program advisor.

Capstone Activities:

ADM 640 Internship in Administration
ADM 600M Final Project in Administration

The Principalship

The Principalship track is designed to meet the NASDTEC requirements for principals and assistant principals in the District of Columbia. It is also intended to prepare candidates for the Interstate School Leaders' Licensure Consortium assessment, which is expected to be required of all new school principals in both the District of Columbia and Maryland by the year 2000. This track reflects the contemporary emphasis on school-based management and focuses on developing skills in planning, consensus building, and collaborative problem solving.

Course work and capstone activities are pursued in the areas of specialization. In addition, students complete one three-credit course as a directed elective, in consultation with a faculty advisor.

Instructional Leadership

This track prepares educators to become instructional leaders within a school, such as: supervisors, department chairs and staff development resource specialists. Students learn to evaluate instruction and develop collaborative strategies for improvement. Emphasis is given to development, implementation and evaluation of education and training programs.

Course work and capstone activities are pursued in the areas of specialization. In addition, students complete one three-credit course as a directed elective, in consultation with a faculty advisor.