Educational Administration

Major: Educational Administration
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 45.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 13.0401
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 11-9032

About the Program

The MS in Educational Administration program is designed to prepare and mentor future leaders using state and national leadership standards with the practical skills, knowledge, and internship experiences to become effective leaders in rural, urban, and suburban schools. The vision of the program is to create a collaborative and mentoring community of school leaders who contribute to a “research of practice” that significantly improves learning for all students.

The MS in Educational Administration program prepares school leaders with the necessary skills and attributes for dealing with complex and unexpected change. School models, including in-person, online, hybrid, and alternative, will be used to design learning environments where educators and students, in partnership with families, communities, and experts in related fields, apply their knowledge and skills to real-life challenges. This program is ideal for prospective students holding a teaching or counseling certificate who wish to advance into school administration with principal certification.

The program is designed as a part-time cohort model, and can be completed in two years with or without certification. View the degree requirements for more detailed information about the courses.

Educational Administration Program Options

MS in Educational Administration Concentrations

• School Principal Certificate*
• Special Education Leadership & Principal (K-12) Certificate**
• Special Education Leadership Certificate (without Principal Certificate)**

*Requires a state-issued teacher certificate. A School Principal Certificate can be earned without the Master's by completing the School Principal Certificate program.

**Requires a state-issued special education teacher certificate

Program Objectives

Graduates of the MS in Educational Administration program will be prepared to:

• Meet Pennsylvania certification standards
• Facilitate the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a school/district vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community
• Advocate, nurture, and sustain a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth
• Ensure management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment
• Collaborate with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources
• Act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner
• Understand, respond to, and influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context
• Monitor and evaluate students’ achievements and programs on challenging standards for external and internal accountability goals
• Build teacher leadership capacity and mentor principal interns
• Conduct and share action research that documents sustainability in meeting school accountability goals and has practical, immediate, and useful application for other educators

Additional Information

For more information, visit the School of Education's MS in Educational Administration webpage or the Drexel University Online website.

Admission Requirements

Acceptance for graduate study in Drexel University's School of Education requires:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher (graduate degree GPAs will be considered along with the undergraduate GPA).
• Complete graduate school application.
• Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended. Instead of hard copy transcripts, you may supply official electronic transcripts issued by a post-secondary institution directly to Drexel University Online (use our email address, applyDUonline@drexel.edu. You must supply transcripts regardless of the number of credits earned or the type of school you attended. If you do not list all post-secondary institutions on your application and these are listed on transcripts received from other institutions, processing of your application will be delayed until you have submitted the remaining transcripts. Use the Transcript Lookup Tool to assist you in contacting your previous institutions. If a college or university that you attended offers the option to send transcripts in a secure, password-protected electronic format, you may have the transcript sent to applyDUonline@drexel.edu.
• Two letters of recommendation, either professional or academic.
  • Drexel University Online now accepts electronic letters of recommendation. Please use the online letter of recommendation service. If a recommender prefers to submit an original, hard copy letter of recommendation, please remind the recommender that it must be signed and submitted in a sealed envelope signed across the flap by the recommender.
  • One letter of recommendation must come from the principal of the school where the applicant has worked. (Recommendation must include applicant's presentation skills and experiences in a leadership role as well as the skills observed that would have a strong bearing on the applicant's success as a school leader and administrator.)
• An essay describing why the applicant is interested in pursuing graduate study in this field.
  • Applicant must include two paragraphs briefly describing their educational philosophy and explaining how principals shape learning in K-12 schools.
• State-issued instructional certification
  • Email a copy to applyDUonline@drexel.edu
• International students: must submit a TOEFL score of 550 or higher. Students with transcripts from non-US institutions should have such transcripts evaluated by World Education Service (WES). The TOEFL examination is required for some non-citizens.

Degree Requirements

Performances

The performances for meeting Pennsylvania leadership standards and National Leadership Standards include a Leadership Portfolio. The Leadership Portfolio includes:

• Four Log Reflections: Explaining growth in log reflection over each term
• Evidence of 600 hours across four terms logged in the Internship
• Logs over 48 weeks
• Four term Goal Statements and Reflections on accomplishments
• Two to three artifacts on each of the ELCC standards totaling 14 to 21 or more artifacts
• An explanation of how each artifact shows applications of skill on each identified standard
• Four evaluations on the ELCC Standards and Drexel Competencies completed by the school site supervising principal

In addition, students must meet the current state minimum score on the appropriate PRAXIS Exam.

Sample Plan of Study

MS degree with Principal Certification

Note: Third Year Spring may be less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid would not be disbursed to students this term.

Special Education Leadership Concentration Program Requirements

The Special Education Leadership concentration within the MS in Educational Administration leads to the Supervisor of Special Education Certification. The concentration is designed to produce educators who are equipped with the advanced skills, knowledge and competencies they will need to collaboratively lead programs that meet the needs of students at risk and with disabilities in multiple settings. The 46.0 credit program fulfills the requirements for the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved certification and a master's degree in Educational Leadership.

Candidates are required to complete 300 internship hours for the Supervisor of Special Education Certification. Eligibility for PA Special Education Leadership certificate requires verification that the candidate has completed five years of satisfactory professional school experience on a state-issued certificate appropriate for the assignment. All courses must be completed with a B or better.

*

To satisfy the elective portion of the MS in Educational Administration with Special Education Leadership option, it is suggested that the candidate enroll in a course from the School of Education’s Educational Policy or the Special Education Law and Process certificate programs. The following would be appropriate although any graduate course that the candidate has interest and is eligible to enroll may be considered with approval of the candidate’s academic advisor:

• EDEX 600: Family, School and Community Engagement in Special Education
• EDEX 601: Special Education Advocacy
• EDEX 602: Special Education Dispute Resolution and Skills Training
• EDPO 620: Education Policy: Concepts, Issues and Applications
• EDPO 624: The Shaping of American Education Policy: Global Forces, Interest Groups and Politics

School Principal Certificate & Special Education Leadership Concentration

Program Requirements

The School Principal Certificate and Special Education Leadership concentration within the MS in Educational Administration leads to the Supervisor of Special Education Certification and Principal Certification. The concentration is designed to prepare future leaders with the tools and knowledge to collaboratively address special education programs and issues within a school setting. The 52.0 credit dual certification program fulfills the requirements for both Pennsylvania Department of Education approved certifications and a master’s degree.

Candidates are required to complete 300 internship hours for the Supervisor of Education Certification and 400 internship hours for Principal Certification.

Eligibility for PA Special Education Leadership certificate requires verification that the candidate has completed five years of satisfactory professional school experience on a state-issued certificate appropriate for the assignment.

Eligibility for the PA Principal certificate requires verification that the candidate has completed three years of satisfactory professional school experience on a state-issued certificate appropriate for the assignment and appropriate Praxis exam. All courses must be completed with a B or better.

School Principal Certificate & Special Education Leadership Concentration Sample Plan of Study

*

Students have the option to select from the Practitioner or Thesis Capstone track.

Note: Third Year Fall may be less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid would not be disbursed to students this term.

Education Faculty

Emeritus Faculty