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

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

1. Official transcripts of all college-level work completed, and indication of a degree conferral;
2. Three 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 he or she is 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.

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.

Curriculum

The Master of Education (MEd) in educational leadership consists of 33 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.

Sequence of Courses

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 815 and EL 825.