Specialist in Education, Educational Administration

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Specialist in Education, Educational Administration

Graduate Educational Administration Faculty (EdS Programs)

Kim Finch, MSEd and EdS Program Director
Park Central Office Building, Room 115
Phone 417-836-5192; KimFinch@missouristate.edu

William Agnew
Park Central Office Building, Room 118
Phone 417-836-5554; WAgnew@missouristate.edu

Bret Cormier
Park Central Office Building, Room 135
Phone 417-836-4918; bcormier@missouristate.edu

Cynthia MacGregor
Park Central Office Building, Room 120
Phone 417-836-6046; CMacgregor@missouristate.edu

Nate Quinn
Park Central Office Building, Room 116
Phone 417-836-5083; nquinn@missouristate.edu

Jon S. Turner
Park Central Office Building, Room 133
Phone 417-836-6518; jonsturner@missouristate.edu

Program Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the program, a student must submit the following.

  1. To be considered for probationary admission to this program, a student must submit both a Graduate Application and Educational Administration program application.
  2. Students must possess a master’s degree from an accredited institution with an overall GPA of 3.50.
  3. Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores of 550 on the paper-based or a comparable score of 213 on the computer-based TOEFL are required for admission.
  4. Additional materials which should be submitted.
    1. A written "Statement of Purpose" containing long-term goals of leadership (minimum 300 words).
    2. A copy of an appropriate teacher certificate or eligibility for certification by a state agency.
    3. Program will request a reference from immediate supervisor regarding performance.
    4. Candidate will submit a personal portfolio that may contain any of the following items to support their application to the program:
      • Building Student Outcomes
        • Show evidence of impacting student achievement at the building level as evidenced by the School/Building Improvement Plan Data.
      • School Leadership
        • Provide evidence of leadership roles involved in that last 3 years at the district level.
      • Professional Development Plan
        • Show evidence that goals set forth in Professional Development Plan are being met.
        • List leadership conferences (regional, state, national) attended or presented at during the last 3 years.
    5. Access to the internet and an active email address.
    6. Submit a professional resume.
    7. Complete a structured interview with the Educational Administration Program Faculty.
  5. Upon completion of the probationary entry material (statement of purpose, teacher certification, immediate supervisor questionnaire, impact on learning material, leadership and involvement in the continuous School/Building Improvement Plan, Professional Development Plan, 3.50 GPA for 12hours, personal interview with the department, Family Care and Safety Registry, TB skin test, and resume) the Educational Administration faculty will review application for full admission into the program.
  6. Internship. Prior to beginning an internship, all students must:
    • have on file with the departmental office an internship application that has been completed and signed by the school administrator in the district where the internship is being conducted.
    • have completed the Family Care and Safety Registry background check.
    • have a TB skin test

    Information regarding the completion of the background check and skin test may be obtained from the office of COE Student Services (417-836-5253).

Degree requirements

  1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 33 approved graduate hours with a minimum overall GPA of 3.00.
  2. A minimum of three years supervisory and/or teaching experience.
  3. Research. A minimum of three semester hours field study assignment.
  4. Comprehensive Examination. A period of time will be scheduled for a comprehensive exam for all students who have not previously passed a comprehensive examination in educational administration at Missouri State University. In addition, students will be required to present an acceptable oral review of their field study.
  5. Transfer Credit. A maximum of 8-9 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the master's degree may be accepted toward the hours required for the Specialist in Education Degree. All transfer credit must be "A" or "B" grade status from a regionally accredited college or university and must be approved by the program coordinator.

Specialist in Education, Educational Administration (Superintendent)

Program description

The EdS Degree - Superintendent Program is a 33 credit hours program and fulfills the standards established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for superintendency. Practical aspects of the superintendency are emphasized. A research component (6 hrs) and a comprehensive examination are required.

Required Coursework (27 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
EAD 850 Politics of Education 3 hrs
EAD 858 School Personnel 3 hrs
EAD 862 The Superintendency 3 hrs
EAD 863 Curriculum Design and Evaluation 3 hrs
EAD 864 Diversity and Community Relations 3 hrs
EAD 865 School Law 3 hrs
EAD 866 Public School Finance 3 hrs
EAD 867 School Plant Planning and Maintenance 3 hrs
EAD 882 Superintendency Internship - Part 1 1 hr
EAD 883 Superintendency Internship - Part 2 1 hr
EAD 886 Superintendency Internship - Part 3 1 hr
Research Sequence (6 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
EAD 895
or
SFR 890
Research in Administrative Practices
or
Field Research and Evaluation
3 hrs
EAD 860 Field Study 3 hrs

Required 800-level courses - 33 hours. Students earning the EdS degree-Superintendent are prepared for career certification by DESE as an superintendent if they have earned a masters degree in educational administration or have successfully completed the following educational administration courses as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for building level certificate:

  • Foundations of Educational Administration (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Principalship (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Principle Internship Onsite - Part 1 (1 hr)
  • K-12 Principle Internship Onsite - Part 2 (1 hr)
  • K-12 Principle Internship Onsite - Related Agencies (1 hr)
  • K-12 Principle Internship - Part 3* (1 hr)
  • Human Relations and Collaborative Processes** (3 hrs)
  • Legal and Ethical Contexts of Schooling (3 hrs)
  • Supervision and Performance Enhancement (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Curriculum for Building Level Principals (3 hrs)
  • Organizational Management (3 hrs)
  • Administration of Special Programs (3 hrs)

Students must pass the required state assessments for building level principal prior to receiving certification.

Students must pass the required state assessment for superintendent prior to receiving certification.

All Educational Administration courses are taught using Missouri State Direct, or live interactive technology.

*Graduate students who have earned a masters degree in Educational Administation but do not have K-12 building level certification, as required by DESE, will take this class.

**This is a required DESE course for certification that is part of the EAD program already.





Specialist in Education, Educational Administration (Elementary Principal)

Program description

The program fulfills the standards established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for elementary principals and directors of elementary education. Practical aspects of the principalship are emphasized. A research component is required.

Required Coursework (22 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
EAD 861 Human Relations 3 hrs
EAD 863 Curriculum Design and Evaluation 3 hrs
  Elective hours must include the two courses listed above and Advisor-advisee approval for remaining 12 hours 12 hrs
  Special Topics (EAD 870 or other courses with Advisor approval) 4 hrs
Research Sequence (6 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
EAD 895
or
SFR 890
Research in Administrative Practices
or
Field Research and Evaluation
3 hrs
EAD 860 Field Study 3 hrs

Required 800-level courses - 28 hours. Students earning the EdS degree-Elementary Principal are prepared for career certification by DESE as an elementary principal if they have earned a masters degree in educational administration or have successfully completed the following educational administration courses as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for building level certificate:

  • Foundations of Educational Administration (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Principalship (3 hrs)
  • Internship for Elementary School Principals - On-Site Parts I & II (2 hrs)
  • Internship for Elementary Principals - Related Agencies (1 hr)
  • Legal and Ethical Contexts of Schooling (3 hrs)
  • Supervision and Performance Enhancement (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Curriculum for Building Level Principals (3 hrs)
  • Organizational Management (3 hrs)
  • Administration of Special Programs (3 hrs)

Students are required to pass building level state assessments prior to receiving certification.

All Educational Administration courses are taught using Missouri State Direct, or live interactive technology.

Specialist in Education, Educational Administration (Secondary Principal)

Program description

The EdS Degree - Secondary Principal Program requires 28 credit hours and fulfills the standards established by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for secondary principals. Practical aspects of the principalship are emphasized. A research component (6 hrs) and a comprehensive examination are required.

Required Coursework (22 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
EAD 861 Human Relations 3 hrs
EAD 863 Curriculum Design and Evaluation 3 hrs
  Elective hours must include the two courses listed above and Advisor approval for the remaining 12 hours 12 hrs
  Special Topics (EAD 870 or other courses with Advisor approval) 4 hrs
Research Sequence (6 hrs)
Course Code Course Title Credit Hours
EAD 895
or
SFR 890
Research in Administrative Practices
or
Field Research and Evaluation
3 hrs
EAD 860 Field Study 3 hrs

Required 800-level courses - 28 hours. Students earning the EdS degree-Secondary Principal are prepared for career certification by DESE as an secondary school principal if they have earned a masters degree in educational administration or have successfully completed the following educational administration courses as required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for building level certificate:

  • Foundations of Educational Administration (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Principalship (3 hrs)
  • Internship for Secondary School Principals - On-Site Parts I & II (2 hrs)
  • Internship for Secondary Principals - Related Agencies (1 hr)
  • Legal and Ethical Contexts of Schooling (3 hrs)
  • Supervision and Performance Enhancement (3 hrs)
  • K-12 Curriculum for Building Level Principals (3 hrs)
  • Organizational Management (3 hrs)
  • Administration of Special Programs (3 hrs)

Students are required to pass building level state assessments prior to receiving certification.

All Educational Administration courses are taught using Missouri State Direct, or live interactive technology.