Educational Leadership

Overview

The Department of Educational Leadership offers graduate degrees in educational leadership administration and supervision for P-12 schools, at the Master’s, Specialist, and Doctoral levels. The Department also offers Tier I and Tier II Certification Only programs.  Additionally, the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership offers two delivery models for the Higher Education Leadership degree for individuals interested in working in colleges, universities, foundations, think tanks, governmental agencies, consultancies, and other endeavors. The Higher Education Leadership track is offered in the traditional face to face/hybrid model and in the fully online model with all required coursework completed in a 2 year time frame.

To complete these programs, candidates must satisfy all program requirements, including coursework with minimum final grades of “B”; field experience; and comprehensive examinations.

Doctoral candidates in all programs must prepare and present a dissertation prospectus and develop and defend a scholarly dissertation approved by Educational Leadership faculty. Applicants must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as well as those that might be unique to the School of Education and/or the Department of Educational Leadership.

The department employs a dedicated faculty with educational training and experience necessary to meet the high standards of the School of Education, the department, and the market demand.

Educational Leadership, Ed.D., Higher Education Track

Traditional Higher Education Degree Program

The program, while addressing a key strategic priority of the university-building and sustaining strong academic programs addresses, a market demand for preparing an expanded pipeline of well-trained and highly qualified education leaders for contemporary and future post-secondary educational colleges and universities, agencies, foundations, and other non-P-12 educational institutions. This degree program is offered in both the traditional classroom format and a 2 year fully online delivery of all course requirements.

Online Higher Education Degree Program

The program follows the same general overview as above. The unique feature of this program is it the University’s first fully online delivery degree program. The courses are offered in an accelerated delivery of seven week modules by certified tTech professors. Each semester students will complete 12 hours of required course work. Additionally, the program objectives and learning outcomes are the same.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership – Higher Education Track must meet the General Admissions Requirements of the University as published in this Catalog including the following criteria:

1. A completed application
2. Evidence of leadership potential
3. All post-secondary transcripts
4. 3.0 GPA
5. A letter of intent
6. Three letters of reference
7. Minimum of MA/MS or equivalent degree from an approved institution
8. A personal or group interview

Additional Online Higher Educational Degree Program Admission Requirements

• Participate in a Zoom interview with program faculty
• Complete a required writing sample within a 24 hour time period

Educational Leadership, Ed.D., P-12 Track

Overview

Fundamental to the aims of the doctorate degree is the development of skills in educational research, program evaluation and policy studies. An appropriate master's degree is required for admission to this program. Applicants must be prepared to complete 750 clock hours of performance leadership in a local school district. Additionally, applicants seeking Tier II certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission must provide evidence of holding current certification in educational leadership and that she/he is employed in an approved leadership position in a school district. These program requirements are met by the co-construction of Tier II admission criteria with P-12 partners/employees.

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School, there are program specific requirements, including the following:

• Hold Tier I Educational Leadership entry certification or a grandfathered L or PL certificate in Educational Leadership issued from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
• Have a minimum of a Master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited higher education institution.
• Be employed in a leadership position in a local education agency (LEA) as defined by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
• Submit three official letters of recommendation. One of the letters must be a recommendation from the Superintendent or designee based on local district requirements.
• 3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work
• Submit a passing score on the state-required Georgia Educator Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment (380).   NOTE:  Applicants having completed this entry requirement for Tier I certification need not complete the assessment.  A copy of a Certificate of Completion should be submitted with the application packet.
• Written partnership with school district confirming one or two Advanced Practicum site options that will enable successful completion of the clinical experience, with approval from school leadership.  NOTE: 750 hours of clinical practice are required for program completion.

Certification Requirements for Tier II Doctor of Education Leadership

1. Candidates completing a Tier II program shall be required to take the Georgia Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL)
2. Passing score on the Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment
3. Completion of the Special Education Requirement
4. Passing score on the GACE Educational content assessment if not previously met to qualify for the Tier I certificate; and
5. Employment by a Georgia LEA, with the following exceptions:
   1. An educator who already holds a valid Georgia certification in another field is not required to be employed to add the field to their certificate;
   2. An individual who has met all requirements for the Performance- Based Professional certificate except for employment may receive a Certificate of Eligibility upon application.

Educational Leadership, Ed.S.

Program Overview

The specialist program is designed to provide advanced preparation to educational leaders at the building and district levels. This program is performance-based and thereby provides for application and synthesis of basic concepts in educational leadership. Evidence of a certificate in educational leadership and employment by a school district in an approved leadership position are required for persons seeking Tier II certification by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC).

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School, there are program specific requirements, including the following:

• Hold Tier I Educational Leadership entry certification or a grandfathered L or PL certificate in Educational Leadership issued from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
• Have a minimum of a Master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited higher education institution.
• Be employed in a leadership position in a local education agency (LEA) as defined by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.
• Submit three official letters of recommendation. One of the letters must be a recommendation from the Superintendent or designee based on local district requirements.
• 3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work
• Submit a passing score on the state-required Georgia Educator Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment (380).   NOTE:  Applicants having completed this entry requirement for Tier I certification need not complete the assessment.  A copy of a Certificate of Completion should be submitted with the application packet.
• Written partnership with school district confirming one or two Advanced Practicum site options that will enable successful completion of the clinical experience, with approval from school leadership.  NOTE: 750 hours of clinical practice are required for program completion.

Educational Leadership, M.A.

Overview

The Tier I Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership provides a sound introductory foundation of prescribed content courses plus two semesters of supervised field experience to enhance the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of those pursuing the degree. The program can be completed either face-to-face (traditional) or online (through our collaboration with New Leaders). 

Admissions Requirements 

In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate School, there are program specific requirements, including the following:

1. Possess T5 or S5 professional teaching certificate and be employed as a certified teacher for a minimum of 2 years

2. 3.0 or better cumulative GPA in undergraduate work

3. A passing score on the state-required Georgia Educator Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment (380)

4. Three letters of recommendation from the candidate’s assistant principal or principal

5. Written partnership with school district confirming one or two Practicum site options that will enable successful completion of the clinical experience, with approval from school leadership.  NOTE: 250 hours of clinical practice are required for program completion.