Educational Leadership, MED with Emphasis Areas

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Program Description

The Master of Education, Educational Leadership Program is designed for candidates who wish to prepare for school leadership in the areas of School Principal or Instructional Leader. This degree program emphasizes the multifaceted-roles in the changing paradigms of school leadership. It consists of a core curriculum of 6 hours and 4 emphases area providing an additional 30 hours of electives per emphasis.

The Master of Education, Educational Leadership courses are designed to meet the Professional Standards for Education Leaders. The coursework is foundational, theoretical, applicable, and uses a common language for results aligned to a standards-based approach for determining performance levels. The courses are primarily designed for students who are currently working in the field of education and desire advancement in their careers.

This degree program prepares students to take the State of Missouri’s School Leaders Licensure Exam. The program meets the requirements for the Missouri Initial Principal Certification. Students who plan to enroll in this degree program are responsible for verifying that the program meets licensure requirements for the State Department of Education for the state in which they reside.

Emphasis areas include: Missouri Principal Certification K-8 or 9-12, Missouri Instructional Leadership, Reading Specialist Certification, Missouri Instructional Leadership, Gifted Certification, Instructional Leadership, Coaching (Missouri certification is not available for the coaching emphasis area).

Principal Initial Certification Emphasis
The Principal Initial Certification Emphasis also requires a valid Missouri teaching certificate*, two years of teaching experience, and passing scores on all state of Missouri assessments. It is up to the student to check their state or country for reciprocity.

Instructional Leadership, Reading Specialist Emphasis
Special Reading certificate also requires a course in Child Psychology and Adolescent Psychology (or a 3-hr combined course in Child and Adolescent Psychology); a 3-hr course in Psychology and/or Education of the Exceptional Child; a course in Counseling Techniques; a valid Missouri teaching certificate*; two years of teaching experience; and passing score on all state assessments.

Instructional Leadership, Gifted Certification Emphasis
Gifted Education certificate also requires a valid Missouri teaching certificate* and two years of teaching experience.

*Note: The school principal certificate program, special reading certificate, and gifted certificate are for Missouri certification only. In order to add on one of these certificates, the student must already hold a Missouri teaching certificate. Out-of-state students who wish to obtain a Missouri teaching certificate based off of their state’s teaching certificate must apply through the Non-Missouri Graduate Application process. (Educator Certification [DESE] will evaluate transcripts based on current Missouri requirements and does not guarantee immediate issuance of a Missouri certificate. DESE’s fee for this application is $100.)

Certification within some M.Ed. emphasis areas are for Missouri certification only. For all states other than Missouri, there has been no determination of licensure eligibility. Students residing outside of Missouri must email EducatorPrep@ccis.edu to determine eligibility in their state.

An undergraduate degree with teacher certification in one or more areas, plus two years of teaching experience, is a prerequisite. Initial Principal Licensure is given at the level of teaching certification and experience.

Students who would like to acquire the degree and already have an MAT degree may apply up to 9 hours from their MAT toward the additional degree.

Program Requirements

Students must meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements of the College.
Students must complete a minimum of thirty-six graduate semester hours in an approved course of study. The program is composed of a core of 6 hours of courses required of all students, and an emphasis consisting of 30 hours. Students must choose one or more of the emphases listed. Students who wish to complete more than one emphasis will have more than 36 hours upon completion.

Required Graduate Core Courses (6 sem. hrs)

EDUC 502 - Foundations and Psychology of Educational Leadership 3 hours *
EDUC 562 - Behavior Management Techniques 3 hours Required for Reading Specialist Emphasis Area or
EDUC 564 - Classroom Management 3 hours

Principal Initial Certification Emphasis

The Principal Initial Certification Emphasis also requires a valid Missouri teaching certificate, two years of teaching experience, and passing scores on all state of Missouri assessments. It is up to the student to check their state or country for reciprocity.

Note: The school principal certificate program, special reading certificate, and gifted certificate are for Missouri certification only. In order to add on one of these certificates, the student must already hold a Missouri teaching certificate. Out-of-state students who wish to obtain a Missouri teaching certificate based off of their state’s teaching certificate must apply through the Non-Missouri Graduate Application process. (Educator Certification [DESE] will evaluate transcripts based on current Missouri requirements and does not guarantee immediate issuance of a Missouri certificate. There is a DESE fee for this application.)

Instructional Leadership, Reading Specialist Emphasis

A course in Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, or a combined 3 hour course in Child and Adolescent Psychology is also required for this emphasis area. A valid Missouri teaching certificate is required, and two years of teaching experience.

Instructional Leadership, Gifted Certification Emphasis

A valid Missouri teaching certificate is required, and two years of teaching experience.

Instructional Leadership, Instructional Coaching Emphasis

A valid teaching certificate is required, and two years of teaching experience. Missouri Certification is not available for this emphasis area.

Assessment

Achievement and Proficiency will be determined through development and oral defense of a Standards based portfolio, based on the Professional Standards for Education Leaders. Anticipated length of the portfolio is approximately 80-100 pages, including artifacts which delineate standards as they are applied in the selected setting through the Practicum for each area. The PSEL Standards are adopted by the National, Association of Elementary School Principals, The National Association of Secondary School Principals, and the University Council of Education Administration, and are appropriate for all Leadership Emphasis Areas.

Minimum Total Semester Hours: 36 hrs

Transfer credit for courses already completed before admittance to the program may be substituted for required courses upon recommendation of the Education Department. After being admitted, the student must complete all course work at Columbia College unless specific permission is obtained from the M.Ed. Graduate Program Coordinator. A maximum of nine graduate hours may be accepted in transfer. Petitions for consideration of transfer credit must be made prior to the successful completion of 12 hours of graduate course work at Columbia College.