Educational Administration

Master's Program

Opportunities for graduate studies

The Department of Teacher Education and Administration offers graduate programs to develop highly competent teachers, school administrators and other professionals who provide educational leadership in public and private schools and other organizations. Effective instruction, curriculum development and evaluation are emphasized in all programs at the University of North Texas. You use current theory and research to make decisions about effective practice. The department also strives to improve practice through generation of new knowledge and service to educational institutions, governmental agencies and practitioners at all levels.

Master's degree

The master of education degree with a major in educational administration focuses on the skills and knowledge required for campus-level and central office administration. The Texas principal certificate is available if you are seeking a master's degree and if you already hold a master's degree in another area.

Admission requirements

You must be admitted to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and meet the admission requirements of the educational administration program. Graduate school requirements can be accessed at www.gradschool.unt.edu. To be considered for admission into the educational administration program, you must have all application materials in the educational administration program office by the following deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• for summer - first Friday in December
• for fall - first Friday in May
• for spring - first Friday in September

The educational administration program uses a holistic review for admissions. Multiple criteria are used to review completed application materials.

• bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. The degree does not have to be in education. If you already hold a master's degree, the courses and your performance in that degree are reviewed.
• bachelor's overall GPA of 2.8 or higher, bachelor's GPA of 3.0 or higher on the last 60 hours of course work, or completed master's degree GPA of 3.4 or higher
• submitted GRE scores on verbal, quantitative and analytical writing sections. The program views high GRE scores as positive indicators of potential success in the program. Low GRE scores do not exclude a candidate who shows positive indicators in other areas.
• a letter of recommendation from your supervisor identifying your reading, critical thinking and writing skills. The letter should also address your prior leadership activities, leadership potential and interpersonal skills in educational administration.
• written essay describing why you are seeking a master's degree in educational administration, identifying relevant educational experiences and strengths and stating why you think you'll be a successful educational leader in an increasingly multi-cultural environment.
• resume or vita that includes your previous work and educational experiences. You must have two full years teaching experience.
• submitted program application form (transcripts of previous academic work will be forwarded by graduate admissions office along with a copy of the graduate admissions application.

Degree requirements

During the first course - EDAD 5300 Introduction to Educational Administration - you will prepare a degree and certification plan, and the instructor for that course becomes your adviser. You may transfer up to 9 semester hours of course work from another institution with approval from the graduate school and the program. However, course work that will be more than six years old by the time you complete the master's program will not be counted. Possible transfer courses must be 5000-level or higher graduate courses.

The degree requires 36 semester hours of course work and successful completion of a professional portfolio, developed during the final course.

Core courses (required prerequisites for professional courses)

• EDAD 5300 Introduction to Educational Administration
• EDAD 5330 Instructional Leadership
• EDAD 5390 Campus-Level School Law
• EDAD 5400 Management of School Resources

Professional courses

• EDAD 5600 Race, Class and Gender Issues in Education
• EDAD 5610 School Communications and Public Relations
• EDAD 5620 Administration and Leadership for Student Educational Services
• EDAD 5630 Organizational Change and School Improvement
• EDAD 5650 Professional Development and Supervision
• EDAD 5680 Administration of the K-12 Curriculum
• EDAD 5700 Practicum in Educational Administration (must be final course)

One elective course with one of the following prefixes: EDCI, EDER, EDRE, ATTD, CECS or EDSP, or other as approved by the adviser.

Standard principal certification

To be eligible for a Standard Principal Certificate, you must:

• successfully complete the TexES examination
• hold a master's degree
• have two years of creditable classroom teaching experience
• successfully complete an approved principal preparation program

While seeking a master's degree in educational administration, you will be eligible for a principal certificate. However, if you wish to enroll in the program for certification only, you must meet the eligibility and admission requirements listed below.

Admission

You must submit an application for admission and official copies of transcripts to the Toulouse School of Graduate Studies and an application form for principal certification to the educational administration program. (The GRE is not required for students seeking only certification.)

Requirements

The requirements include completion of the 36 hours of course work listed under the master's degree requirements plus an internship (3 semester hours) after completion of the core courses.

You should complete a certification plan in the introductory class - EDAD 5300. The instructor will evaluate the transcripts to determine the courses needed for the certificate and courses that can be transferred from another master's degree. However, course work that is more than seven years old by the time the certificate requirements are completed will not count toward certification. Possible transfer hours must be at the 5000 level or higher.

EDAD 5500, Internship in Educational Administration, can be not taken until you have completed the first four core courses of the program. An application has to be submitted by the following deadlines.

• For fall internship - March 1
• For spring internship - Oct. 1
• For summer internship - Feb. 1

The internship cannot be used toward a master's or doctoral degree in educational administration. Internship courses require multiple meetings and 125 hours of interviews, observations and participation in administrative functions at the school/central office. This internship is usually completed at the school where you are employed. The supervisory team for the internship consists of a school administrator and a university supervisor.

Probationary principal certificate

The probationary certificate is valid for one calendar year and issued to individuals who are enrolled in an educator preparation program, employed as assistant principals or principals and are serving in a supervised internship to satisfy the field experience requirements of the certificate. The holder of a probationary certificate must be employed by an accredited Texas public or private school in a position appropriate for the certificate sought.

The probationary certificate can be reissued for two additional calendar years, provided the individual is enrolled in a program and is employed in an appropriate administrator position. Mentoring and supervision are required throughout the validity period of the probationary certificate.

To be eligible for the probationary certificate, you must:

• hold at least a bachelor's degree
• meet the program's admission requirements
• qualify for the internship

Application for the internship can be made after completing the first four core courses of the education administration program. The probationary certificate cannot be issued unless employment has been secured.

Outstanding graduate programs and faculty

The educational administration faculty is highly qualified in formal training and school leadership experiences. Faculty members have held various school leadership positions, including principal and superintendent. Faculty members are involved in research in the areas of education law, public school finance, parent and community involvement, professional learning communities, policy implementation, leadership, reform initiatives and school choice.

In addition, faculty members work closely with school districts and regional Education Service Centers and participate in various partnership activities, including distance-learning courses. The course offerings include some online courses and web support for other classes. The program content is aimed toward meeting the challenges and opportunities of working in a diverse and dynamic educational environment. Also, students in the program receive certification required for school administrators in Texas, including Instructional Leadership Development and the Professional Development and Appraisal System certification.

Each year, the educational administration program sponsors an assistant principals conference that brings more than 300 educators to the campus and provides information and skills specifically directed at the assistant principal's role. In addition, the program sponsors a school board conference to meet the needs of school boards throughout the state. This conference stresses school finance, policy issues and school governance.