Student Learning Outcomes - The graduate with the Master of Science in Education degree in Educational Leadership will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to promote the success of all students by:
- Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
- Advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
- Ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
- Collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
- Acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
- Understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.
The M.S.E. in Educational Leadership program prepares school leaders who are reflective practitioners by requiring candidates to think analytically, practically and creatively about the teaching, learning, and the decision making processes associated with educational leadership.
A student who holds or is eligible for a valid Missouri teaching or student services certificate and has teaching or student services experience may pursue the Master of Science in Education Degree in Educational Leadership. Candidates with a student services certificate are only eligible for the Special Education Director degree option.
To be accepted, a student must have a minimum overall undergraduate grade point average of 2.75 or a 3.00 grade point average during the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. Applicants who do not meet any of the above GPA criteria must achieve a minimum of a 3.50 graduate grade point average during their first 12 hours of graduate study (which must include required degree courses) and have a minimum combined (verbal and quantitative) score of 900 on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
The M.S.E. in Educational Leadership requires a minimum of 34 semester hours. Two semesters of internship are required and represents a significant practicum component within the program. Students who currently hold a UCM masters degree in education or in an education-related field are eligible for the 24 hour 2nd masters degree option available to UCM graduates.
Upon acceptance, the student will be assigned an adviser to assist in reviewing program requirements, including required and elective courses, enrollment procedures, internship requirements, timeframe, graduation requirements, and state testing requirements. Working with their adviser, students should become familiar with MyCentral, student email, and the degree audit.
The M.S.E. in Educational Leadership includes the course requirements for initial certification by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a Building Level Administrator (Elementary Principal, Secondary Principal, or Special Education Director). A program may be planned which could lead to additional certification as a middle school principal. Initial certification requirements include the completion of a masters degree in educational leadership; completion of a course in Education of the Exceptional Child; a valid Missouri teaching or a student services certificate; a minimum of two years of teaching or student services experience; and the satisfactory completion of all requirements established by DESE, including passing scores on required assessments. Each building level administrator certification has specific pre-requisite credentialing and experience regulations applicable to that position.
An applicant for an initial building level administrator’s DESE certificate must receive a recommendation for DESE certification from the UCM Director of Clinical Services and Certification. Recommendation will be based upon the completion of all requirements established by DESE. Inquiries regarding DESE certification in school administration can be directed to the UCM Director of Clinical Services and Certification at 660-543-8441. For information concerning degree contact the Educational Leadership program coordinator in the School of Professional Education and Leadership.
