Program Features

• A highly successful and well documented cohort model which fosters a learning environment of significant peer collaboration, as group members progress together through the program
• A preset sequence of courses and experiences designed to ensure completion of the 42 hours in a two or three year period
• A highly qualified faculty whose expertise and command of the theory and practice of leadership support a genuine commitment to student success  

Full-time students must complete the program within a two-year period including summers and the year long internship.  Extended time students must complete the program within a three-year period including summers and the year-long internship.

The School Leaders Licensure Exam must be passed prior to graduation for any students enrolled prior to the Fall 2010 semester.

The Electronic Portfolio Assessment is state mandated for all students enrolling for the Fall 2010 semester or thereafter. Successful completion of the six electronic evidences and a successful presentation to the MSA assessment panel will be required to receive a recommendation for licensure.

ADD-ON CERTIFICATE FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

The Master of School Administration Graduate Certificate Program

(21 required credit hours)

Year 2 Semester 1  FALL

Year 2 Semester 2 SPRING

           21

Clinical Experiences

The practicum provides for the inclusion of clinical experiences in all courses where appropriate.  The design of courses provide for reflective discussion of clinical experiences to ensure the alignment of theory and practice for improved performance of students during the yearlong internship.  The primary objective of clinical experiences is to link what is taught in the classroom with real-life situations in school administration, management, supervision and instructional leadership. Classroom theories and skills provide the focus for visitations and observations in schools, businesses, professional societal meetings; conferences, engagement on small-scale projects, and attendance at professional development programs and activities.

Enrichment Activities

Participation in planned enrichment activities at North Carolina A&T State University is one of the major cohort building experiences of the MSA program. All students are required to attend. Each year a schedule of activities are provided for each group of cohorts. These experiences are extended through opportunities to participate in professional development seminars and workshops that are provided by regional school districts, inter- and intra institutional seminars and other activities related to school administration and educational leadership. Students are expected to actively participate in the planning of university sponsored professional seminars and workshops. Other enrichment opportunities include site visits to school districts with exemplary programs, attendance and participation in business, and/or government seminars.

Program Completion Timelines

Full-time students in the Master of School Administration Degree Program, which include Principal Fellows, are required to complete the program within a two-year period. Extended students are required to enroll for six (6) hours of study per semester over a two-year period followed by one summer and two semesters of full-time internship in the third year.

Neither full nor extended students can vary their program sequence by minimizing or maximizing the number of courses per semester. All prerequisites courses must be taken prior to enrolling in the internship.

The Internship

The internship occurs during the second year of the program for full-time students and during the third year for extended students. The full-time and part-time, three semester internship is designed to provide aspiring administrators with opportunities to apply the theoretical learning acquired in course work, to real-life situations in educational administration.

Activities common to each intern includes shadowing the site administrator (mentor), and attending reflective seminars on campus. Specifically, interns will: (a) observe the functions of administrators (b) assume leadership roles in planning, implementing, and evaluating educational leadership activities; (c) apply theoretical learning acquired in course work to the real world of practice; and (d) acquire essential knowledge and skills in educational leadership.

Accreditation

North Carolina A&T State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, American Council on Education, National Association of Business Teacher Education

Scholarships: To qualify for a graduate scholarship, an individual must be enrolled full-time and possess a 3.00 minimum undergraduate grade point average.

North Carolina Principal Fellows Program

The Principal Fellows Program is an essential component of the MSA Program.  Students who are admitted to the program at North Carolina A&T State University and approved by the North Carolina Principal Fellows Commission receive a financial Scholarship in the amount of $30,000 the first year and $41,400 the second year.

The program was established to ensure the best, most highly qualified students are able to earn the Master of School Administration degree in two years on a full-time basis and to provide a cadre of well trained administrative candidates to all North Carolina public school districts. 

See website for more information: www.ncpfp.org

Program Highlights

Complete the program in two years

North Carolina State Administrative Certification

Flexible Internship

Focus on the needs of the 21st Century School

Preparing Educational Leaders who can work at any K-12 level

A MSA faculty dedicated to the success of all students

Additional Information

To receive more information on the MSA program contact Leslie Justice at (336) 285-2151 ljustice@ncat.edu