Radford University's Master of Science in Educational Leadership program is designed to prepare professional personnel to fill positions as PreK-12 school principals or supervisors in Virginia.  Endorsement in administration in Virginia requires a minimum of three years of successful K-12 teaching experience prior to beginning a graduate program in this area.  Students interested in the graduate degree in educational leadership have two licensing alternatives available, full licensure (internship option) or provisional licensure (practica option). 

Admission Requirements 

• Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better
• Official transcripts of all past course work
• Three references, one of which is from the most recent principal, one from the current superintendent or designee
• Collegiate Professional Certificate
• Minimum of three years K-12 successful classroom teaching experience
• Test scores from Graduate record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
• Writing sample to be completed which details applicant's philosophy of teaching, learning, and administration garnered over the years of classroom teaching experience (two pages typed, doubled spaced, 12 point font, with one inch margins).

Advising

     A faculty advisor is assigned to each student upon acceptance to the program.  Students are encouraged to work with the advisor to develop an individualized program of study that includes a mixture of required courses and electives that allow the student to pursue areas of interest and need to best prepare to meet the demands of being a school administrator. 

Program Options

This licensure program in school administration/supervision has four basic options available: 

1. Option 1 is designed to culminate in a master's degree with a recommendation of endorsement for full PreK-12 administration and supervision licensure. (36 semester hours)
2. Option 2 is designed to culminate in a master's degree and a recommendation of endorsement for provisional PreK-12 administration and supervision licensure. (36 semester hours)
3. Option 3 is designed to meet the needs of those students who possess an appropriate master's degree and are seeking full PreK-12 administration and supervision licensure but not an additional degree.  (30 semester hours)

4. Option 4 is designed to meet the needs of those students who possess an appropriate master's degree and are seeking provisional PreK-12 administration and supervision licensure but not an additional degree. (30 semester hours)
   
   Click here for coursework for all options.
   

Internship/Practica

       The type of licensure a student will receive is largely a result of the breadth and depth of their field experience.  In order to be fully licensed, a student must complete an internship.  Internship students spend at least 90 consecutive days full-time in an immersion school experience in administration.   A minimum of two of the following experiences is required:  elementary principalship, middle school principalship, secondary principalship, and/or central office.  As part of this experience, students spend a minimum of 120 hours in an area other than their primary assignment.
      During this time, the intern will be assigned to a mentor who will provide the intern with administrative experience.  Mentors will be selected from practicing principals, assistant principals, or instructional supervisors.  Additionally, a professor will be assigned from the university to work with the student and the mentor administrator throughout the internship.
        Provisional licensure is based on the completion of a series of practicum experiences.  This option permits students to seek a recommendation for endorsement for a provisional PreK-12 administration and supervision license.  Practicum students must complete requirements for Educational Leadership options three or four, which are listed above. 
        Practicum students spend a minimum of 360 hours at three of the following four levels; elementary principalship, middle school principalship, secondary principalship, and in central office supervision.  Once an individual acquires a principalship, assistant principalship, or central office supervisory position,  mentoring on the job for 90 days qualifies the candidate to apply for the full PreK-12 administration and supervision license.
        More specific information on the internship/practica will be provided when students are enrolled in the experience.