Educational Leadership, MSED
Program Director: Dr. Tyrone Bynoe
This degree is designed for elementary and secondary teachers or counselors seeking positions as school building administrators at some time in their careers (additional courses are required for district level certification). The degree provides students with extended research-based knowledge in areas such as leadership, school and community relations, school law, school finance, evaluation and supervision, standards-based curriculum, and special education for school administrators. This program is offered online, featuring most course tasks completed through asynchronous instruction alongside limited synchronous class sessions using video conferencing (i.e. zoom).
Information Regarding Certification
The degree in Educational Leadership does meet the criteria for School Building Leader certification in the state of New York. Completion of these courses prepares the candidate to take the New York State School Leadership Certification Examinations 109 and 110, which the New York State Education Department requires for School Building Leader administrative certification.
Students who seek New York administrative certification without the master’s degree should apply for the SBL Advanced Certification program. Candidates recommended for administrative certification are those who have completed the program of studies provided by the program adviser.
Admission Requirements
The admission committee reviews the following in considering candidates for this program:
- Master’s in Education or certification-related area
- Teaching, counseling or other school certification
- K-12 school experience (three years)
- Transcripts from all colleges previously attended
- Two references (one from supervising principal or superintendent)
- Ability to do graduate work
- Success as a teacher/counselor
- Interview
- Writing sample (academic or professional)
- Additional information, if requested by program director
Admission to the MSED in Educational Leadership or the School Building Leader Advanced Certificate Program
Application to the MSED EDL program is separate from an application to the School Building Leader Advanced Certificate program. Whether a candidate is applying to the MSED EDL degree program or the SBL advanced certificate program, they must complete a separate application for each program. The MSED EDL degree program includes the SBL requirements in its coursework; so, this program requires only one application for admission. However, if a candidate in the SBL advanced certificate program wishes to continue into the MSED EDL program, they must complete a new application for admission and the requirements for admission (i.e., transcripts, recommendations, writing sample, interview). In the latter case, the graduate admissions committee in the School of Education will again determine if the candidate will be admitted to program.
Transfer Credits
Students may be able to apply up to six (6) credits of administrative coursework taken elsewhere given that these courses were not used to confer a degree. If the courses have been taken during a previously completed master's degree and are equivalent to courses in the MSED EDL or SBL certificate program, the program courses may be waived. However, the candidate will need to take 3-6 elective credits to complete the total credit requirements for the degree or certificate program. Elective credits may be taken from other graduate programs, but may not include coursework from the School District Leader certificate program. If the previous coursework is from a graduate program from which the candidate did not complete a degree or certificate, the credits may be transferred into the program, as long as there are equivalent to courses in the MSED EDL or SBL program.
The program director, in consultation with the Registrar, will determine if or how transfer credits will be accepted at the time the program plan is written.
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC-500 | RESEARCH METHODS IN THE EDUCATION PROFESSION | 3 |
| EDUC-505 | TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
| EDL-515 | LEADERSHIP/PRINCIPALSHIP | 3 |
| EDL-522 | SCHOOL/COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS | 3 |
| EDL-523 | SCHOOL LAW | 3 |
| EDL-524 | SCHOOL FINANCE | 3 |
| EDL-535 | EVAL/SUPRV INSTR/STAFF | 3 |
| EDL-542 | LEADING EFFECTIVE INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS | 3 |
| EDL-599A | SCH BLDG LDR PRACTICUM | 1 |
| EDL-599B | SCH BLDG LDR INTERNSHIP | 2 |
| EDUC-615 | USING DATA FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT | 3 |
| EDL-599C | INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM SUPERVISION 1 | 0 |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
This course will be required if continuing supervision is needed in order to complete practicum and internship hours.
Clinal Experience Requirements
For this Certification, students are expected to complete two competency-based clinical experiences in K12 settings. One will be in an elementary setting and the other in a secondary setting.
- The first clinical experience is the 1 credit EDL-599A Practicum requiring 200 clock hours. A student may begin the Practicum once the first three school building level educational leadership courses are completed. The Practicum may be in either the elementary or secondary setting.
- The second clinical experience is the 2 credit EDL-599B Internship, requiring 400 clock hours. The Internship must be at the opposite school setting as the Practicum. For example, if the Practicum i completed in an elementary setting, then the Internship will be in a secondary setting.
A student may register for and begin the Practicum and Internship after completing three school building level educational leadership courses.
Students who are teaching in K-12 school settings may be eligible to complete their clinical experiences in their place of work. This should be discussed with the adviser early in the program so that appropriate arrangements can be coordinated.
Exit Criteria
In order to be awarded the degree in Educational Leadership, a student will be evaluated on the following exit criteria:
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Successful completion of the Practicum and Internship
- Submission of a satisfactory standards-based electronic portfolio showing professional growth and accomplishments during the coursework and field experiences
- Successful completion of the comprehensive exam