WSU’s innovative master's degree in educational leadership is designed using cohort groups. Students begin the program with a cohort who becomes a collaborative team for the next two years. The combination of graduate coursework and guided practical application provides students with valuable opportunities to learn through experience what it is to demonstrate excellence as a building level leader. Students work with their mentors (usually their building principals) in assessing their strengths and identifying areas for growth as an administrator, and identifying strengths and potential for improvement in their schools. Throughout the program, students learn to capitalize on these strengths and address professional challenges with confidence.

Students who complete this program and pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment are eligible for Building Leadership endorsement from KSDE.

Admission

MEd in Educational Leadership Licensure Track

Applicants must have a minimum 3.000 grade point average in their last two years (60 credit hours) of college coursework from accredited institutions and meet Graduate School admission requirements. In addition, applicants must have validated strengths on the multiple indicators listed below.

1. For admission review: unofficial transcripts of all college-level work completed, and indication of a degree conferral;
2. Two Reference Report Forms from supervisors and/or professional peers. At least one must be from a supervisor attesting to the applicant’s potential as a building administrator;
3. Evidence of three years of experience in a state-accredited school while holding a professional level teaching, school specialist or clinical license, or a full vocational-technical certificate;
4. A resume or curriculum vita of educational and professional experience;
5. A brief statement of professional goals related to completion of the master’s degree and/or certification as a school administrator; and
6. A letter signed by a building principal or designee indicating they are willing to serve as the student’s mentor and will allow the student to fulfill the practicum requirements of the program.

Note: Requirements three and six above normally preclude the admission of international students from this program because applicants are usually employed by a Kansas K–12 public or private school district before being admitted.

MEd in Educational Leadership Non-Licensure Track

Note: This is a non-licensure track of the WSU Master of Education Degree in educational leadership. Coursework completed in this track does NOT prepare candidates for the Praxis exam or for professional educator licensure from any state or local educational entity.

Applicants must have a minimum 3.000 grade point average in their last two years (60 credit hours) of college coursework from accredited institutions and meet Graduate School admission requirements. In addition, applicants must have validated strengths on the multiple indicators listed below.

1. For admission review: unofficial transcripts of all college-level work completed, and indication of a degree conferral;
2. Two Reference Report Forms from supervisors and/or professional peers;
3. A resume or curriculum vita of educational and professional experience; and
4. A brief statement of professional goals related to completion of the master’s degree.

Program Requirements

Background Check

Upon admission and prior to their first semester, all applicants admitted to this program must clear a criminal background check. There are two reasons for this requirement. First, it is part of the university’s due diligence before placing students in field settings. Second, the check may alert applicants or students to issues that may subsequently affect their ability to work in their chosen field. In instances when a person’s criminal history raises reasonable concerns that should be cleared to engage in the field experiences and/or subsequently obtain licensure/endorsement, WSU may take a range of actions, including rescission of admission or dismissal from the program, depending on the nature of the concern.

For information regarding this requirement, visit: Advanced Programs¹.

MEd in Educational Leadership Licensure Track

The Master of Education (MEd) in educational leadership consists of 30 graduate credit hours including:

Students pursuing licensure as building leaders must complete this program in its entirety. A comprehensive written examination is required. In addition to program completion, passing the state of Kansas required Praxis II Test (test code 6990) is a requirement for state licensure.

Licensure Track Sequence of Courses

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²

CLES 801 can be taken any summer or online in any semester prior to fall 2.

MEd in Educational Leadership Non-Licensure Track 

Applied Learning

Students in the MEd program in educational leadership leading to building-level licensure are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from this program. The requirement can be met by completing two practicum experiences, EL 835 and EL 825.

Students in the MEd in educational leadership non-licensure track can meet the applied learning requirement by completing a minimum of five hours of field contact each semester (20 contact hours) that may include but are not limited to: employment, observation, interview, mentoring and job shadowing. Applied learning experiences are designed by the course instructor and the student, approved by the course instructor and the program coordinator, and may be ongoing across all four semesters. Students complete a reflection/application to practice narrative detailing the applied learning experience each semester.