The course of study in this major leads to a Master of Science degree. All candidates who are admitted to the program are working toward an endorsement as a school administrator. The Master of Science degree requires completion of stated required courses and a thesis. We offer the Master of Science to anyone who chooses to write a thesis (EDAS 599) instead of taking the comprehensive exam.

 The Master of Education degree requires completion of stated required courses, an internship and an oral and written comprehensive examination.

Admission Requirements

Candidates seeking admission must:

• Complete a graduate application
• Hold a professional, five-year renewable teaching license.
• Have at least 3 years of successful experiences as a teacher by the date the program is completed.  
• A candidate may not enter the last 6 hours of course work until successful professional teaching experience has been satisfied.   
• Present a competitive GRE score according to University policy.
• Provide a reflective personal essay describing educational leadership aspirations.
• Have an undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.8 on a 4.0 scale,
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA at the graduate level in order to be retained in graduate school.  
• Have three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s experiences as an educational professional and potential as an educational leader.

Summary Requirements

The Master of Educational Administration and Supervision PK-12 is a 36-hour program, which prepares candidates for the role of principal in school-settings.  Candidates enrolled in the program must maintain a 3.0 GPA, participate in embedded fieldwork throughout the course of study and complete a full-time summer internship. Prior to graduation all candidates must take and pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment Exam.  

Requirements and Transition Points

PHASE I: ADMISSION

Candidates seeking admission must:

1. Complete a graduate application
2. Hold a professional, five-year renewable teaching license.
3. Have at least 3 years of successful experiences as a teacher by the date the program is completed.  A candidate may not enter the last 6 hours of course work until successful professional teaching experience has been satisfied.   
4. Present a competitive GRE score according to University policy.
5. Provide a reflective personal essay describing educational leadership aspirations.
6. Have an undergraduate GPA of not less than 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, or be granted provisional acceptance followed by a review after completion of 6 hours.
7. Maintain a 3.0 GPA at the graduate level in order to be retained in graduate school.  
8. Have three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s experience as an educational professional and potential as an educational leader.

PHASE II: MIDPOINT ADVANCE TO CANDIDACY

1. Complete a minimum of 12 hours of course work
2. Maintain a 3.0 average or above in all content and core course
3. Submit an application for candidacy
4. Complete the Professional Education Program Leadership Assessment (EDAS 593)

Other important information regarding admission to candidacy:

• Admission to candidacy must be completed no later than one semester prior to graduation
• Candidates may not apply for candidacy and graduate in the same semester
• Candidacy cannot be obtained if any admission requirements have not been fulfilled.

PHASE III: CANDIDACY

Candidates must:

1. Advance to candidacy
2. Complete all required coursework
3. Participate in a full-time internship, during the summer session
4. Receive a clinical/site supervisor evaluation
5. Receive a university supervisor evaluation

Other important information regarding candidacy phase:

• Candidates must complete all required coursework, receiving no more than 2 C’s.
• Candidates, not currently in leadership roles, must arrange their internships to extend over two semesters, to include a full-time summer experience.
• Candidates must enroll in the comprehensive exam course with no more than 3 hours remaining in the program.  
• Candidates must apply to participate in comprehensive exams (at the graduate office) prior to the end of the first month of the graduation semester. (see Academic calendar)
• Candidates must apply for graduation at the graduate office.  Applications are due prior to the end of the first month of the graduation semester.  (see Academic calendar)

PHASE IV: PROGRAM COMPLETION

1. Successfully complete three years teaching experience
2. Successfully complete all required coursework and phases of candidacy
3. Successfully apply for and complete oral and written comprehensive exam
4. Successfully complete the SLLA with a minimum of 165 and submit scores to VSU
5. Apply for graduation
6. Complete candidate exit survey Candidates must enroll in the comprehensive exam course with no more than 3 hours remaining in the program. 
7. Candidates must apply to participate in comprehensive exams (at the graduate office) prior to the end of the first month of the graduation semester. (see Academic calendar)

Other important information regarding program completion:

• Candidates must apply for graduation through the graduate office by the date identified (see website).  
• Candidates should complete licensure document requirement by the Virginia Department of Education, an official transcript and payment in form of MO or check and submit to the program coordinator for verification and submission to the Dean who will in turn submit forms for licensure.  Licensure forms are available online at www.pen.k12.va.us.  It is the candidates’ responsibility to complete and submit the required paperwork for licensure.
• Exit surveys will be completed at the conclusion of oral exams.

PHASE V: GRADUATE FOLLOW-UP

1. Participate in a graduate follow-up survey
2. Employee follow-up survey

Master of Education requires an internship and comprehensive exam to complete requirements. Master of Science requires EDAS 599.