Program Description
The Master of Science in Educational Leadership is a comprehensive multidisciplinary program designed to address many of the problems faced by school administrators. The goal of the program is to provide a framework of leadership skills that prepares the program participants for the challenges to be faced by school administrators in the 21st century.
Program Objectives
The objectives for the Master of Science in Educational Leadership are to assist and provide opportunities for students to develop:
1. Leadership skills in fostering a collegial relationship, problem solving, and effective communication with various constituents at the school, district, state, and federal levels;
2. An understanding of, adherence to, and promotion of the legal requirements, ethical standards, and professional obligations at the school, district, state, and federal levels;
3. Leadership strategies for dealing with geographically, ethnically, and economically diverse populations;
4. Effective and best practice techniques for the assessment and supervision of personnel;
5. Effective and industry standard techniques for the assessment and supervision of programs;
6. An understanding of and proficiency in financial management; and
7. An understanding of and proficiency in resource management.
Curriculum and Plan of Graduate Study
The Master of Science in Educational Leadership program consists of 33-36 semester hours of approved graduate credit in four parts: English Usage Proficiency, Educational Leadership, Educational Management, and Internship. The exact number of required hours will depend upon the means through which students complete the English Usage Proficiency requirement.
ENGLISH USAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT: Students will be required to take ENGL 5003 - English Usage and Composition for Graduate Students in the first semester of enrollment. Students may elect to complete a standard English Usage and Composition test to demonstrate proficiency in the use and comprehension of the English language. If the student achieves a grade of at least 70% on the test, the ENGL 5003 course requirement will be waived. In its place, students are to select an elective course. If a student achieves a grade less than 70%, they must enroll in ENGL 5003 - English Usage and Composition for Graduate Students.
The Master of Science in Educational Leadership program schedule is designed with non-traditional students in mind. Courses are offered primarily during the evening hours, although a few are conducted during the day-time and several are offered on weekends; others are available in an independent-study format or on the Internet as online courses. Courses are taught on the main campus and sent via OneNet (interactive television) to locations in Duncan and Altus.
Part I: English Proficiency
Post a satisfactory grade on one of the following:
- ENG 5003 English Usage & Comp for Grad Students OR
- An English Proficiency Examination
Part II: Educational Leadership Courses
| EDUC | 5103 | Intro to Graduate Research |
| EDUC | 5203 | Fund of Public School Administration |
| EDUC | 5213 | School Culture |
| EDUC | 5223 | Assessment of Personnel and Programs |
| EDUC | 5233 | Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction |
| EDUC | 5243 | Community and School Relations |
Part III: Educational Management Courses
| BUS | 5253 | Legal & Ethical Aspects of School Admin |
| BUS | 5263 | Public School Finance & Accounting |
| BUS | 5273 | Resource Management |
Part IV: Educational Internship
| EDUC | 5281-6 | Internship in School Administration
(6 semesters hours of satisfactory internship work) |
Outcomes Assessment
Students will be required to successfully pass a mid and final program portfolio for completion of the graduate degree. The degree program's graduate faculty shall determine the minimum passing score. If the student fails either of the portfolios, the completion of additional course work, directed study, or research may be required before the portfolio may be resubmitted. The student who fails either of the portfolios shall submit to the graduate coordinator a written request seeking permission to resubmit the portfolio. The graduate coordinator shall call a meeting of the graduate faculty of the school to consider the requiest and to determine the additional requirements, if any. Permission to resubmit the portfolio and the additional requirements, if any, are subject to approval.
Degree Conferment
The Master of Science degree wil be awarded when the student has met all of the following requirements:
1. Completion of a minimum of 33 graduate hours listed on the Plan of Study with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above;
2. Completion of "Application for Graduate Degree" form; and
3. Completion of an Exit Interview (found on the Graduate web page).
4. Completion of all portfolios.
Participation in Commencement
Three criteria must be met in order for a Master of Science graduate student to participate in commencement ceremonies. A student must:
1. Have no more than 6 graduate credits remaining on the Plan of Study. The remaining credits can not be core courses; and
2. Not be on academic probation.
