School Principalship, MA Ed (7-12)
Master of Arts in Education Degree in School Principalship 7 to 12
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Overview
Admissions and Requirements
Courses You’ll Take
Tuition & Fees
Program Overview
The online School Principalship, Master of Arts in Education (MA Ed) with a focus on Grades 7-12 program prepares teachers for the administrative role of the principal in a 7-12 school setting. Students may select elective courses focused on school improvement, instructional and assessment leadership, among others.
Students choose this program to:
- Learn to be an effective school administrator who is a responsive, reflective and collaborative decision-maker.
- Obtain the necessary knowledge, skill and technological expertise for this administrative role.
- Organize learning environments that embrace the principles of democracy, diversity and equity.
Note: This program meets the requirements for Administrative and Supervisory Certification in Nebraska. Students pursuing certification in other states must check with their State Department of Education for certification. If you already have an educational master's degree, this program can be a stand-alone endorsement. To be eligible for an endorsement as superintendent in the State of Nebraska, one must have earned a master's degree as principal, or have completed an endorsement program as principal from an accredited Nebraska college or university.
Career Outlook: Elementary, middle and high school principals coordinate curriculums, oversee teachers and provide a safe environment for students. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for elementary, middle and high school principals is growing at 8% which is about as fast as average.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
A Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree in education from an accredited institution
2.75 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
A license/certificate required
Standard teaching certificate
A written personal statement
Resume and essay on why you wish to pursue a career in school administration
3 letters of recommendation
Two letters from school administrators plus one other individual who can comment on your potential to do graduate student and for educational leadership.
Official transcripts from all previous schools
Resume and essay on why you wish to pursue a career in school administration
If you have not taught for three consecutive years in the same school system, demonstrate satisfactory score on the Praxis I Test
NOTE: If you reside in state(s) KY, NC contact a program adviser before applying.
To apply to this program:
- Complete and submit the online application
- Pay the $45 non-refundable application fee
Courses You’ll Take
Core Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDAD 854 | Introduction to Educational Administration | 3 |
The course is designed to provide an overview of the function of educational administration in school district organizations. Students will explore the role of the school principal as an instructional leader and a change agent. In addition to the comprehensive coverage of theory and research, there will be a focus on practical applications that are designed to help students implement their acquired knowledge. | ||
| EDAD 853 | School Business Management | 3 |
A study of the functions of business management for schools including: budgetary procedures, financial accounting, auditing and reporting, management of funds, purchasing procedures and inventory, the administration and protection of property, and the administration of auxiliary services. | ||
| EDAD 843 | Practicum in Educational Administration | 3 |
Prerequisite: EDAD 869 or permission of instructor. This course is designed to provide practical learning experience inherent to school principals. Experiences will include discussion of current topics, involvement of presentation of current topics as preparation for conducting staff development, use of resource personnel from education and/or other fields, the completion of 80 hour practicum, a visitation to a school district with over 25,000 students, preparation for the administrative job search. | ||
| EDAD 869 | The Principalship | 3 |
Prereq: EDAD 854 or permission of the instructor. This is a foundation course in school administration that places emphasis on the responsibilities of the principal. It is designed to serve the interests and needs of certificated personnel who plan to become principals. | ||
| EDAD 855 | Supervision of Instruction | 3 |
This course is designed to assist students in obtaining entry-level understandings and skills relating to the supervision of instruction. | ||
| EDAD 848 | Curriculum Planning | 3 |
The current arena in which principals function is constantly being impacted by societal forces and conditions. The class is designed to assist students to understand major curriculum design models, to interpret school district curricula, and to adjust content as needs and conditions change. The course is designed to prepare individuals for positions in educational administration, particularly those who are interested in the school principalship. Students will study the basic principles of curriculum planning as they relate to curriculum design, implementation, and evaluation. | ||
| EDAD 831 | Social Foundations of Education | 3 |
This course provides insight into the relationship of education to the social order, a rationale for the underlying philosophy of education, and an understanding of how political theory and social forces provide for school organization and authority. | ||
| EDAD 859 | Legal Basis of Education | 3 |
The purpose of this class is to explore the role of the school principal as an educational leader, understand the intricacies of public school administration as it relates to supervision and instruction. An emphasis will be placed on preventative law through the development of an understanding of legal issues facing the school administrator and avoiding possible litigation. | ||
| EDAD 890 | Introduction to Educational Research | 3 |
This course is designed to explore the attributes of educational research and the roles of the educator in appraising and conducting reliable and valid research studies. Students will not only explore the attributes of effective research and learn to evaluate the quality, efficacy, and validity of research studies, but also learn how to do meaningful research inquiry so that they can design effective research studies and collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively in the study of educational questions at the classroom, building, or district level. | ||
| EDAD 851 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
This course deals with aspects of human resource management, including recruitment, selection, orientation, evaluation, staff development, affirmative action, contract management, and collective negotiations. Course emphasis remains on the function of personnel actions on behalf of quality classroom instruction. | ||
Elective Courses
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EDAD 846 | The Junior High/Middle School | 3 |
This course focuses on program design, implementation and evaluation at the middle grade level. It is designed primarily to meet the needs of elementary and/or secondary trained administrators who plan to become administrators at the middle grades level. | ||
| EDAD 870 | The Principal as Instructional Leader | 3 |
Prereq: EDAD 869 or permission of instructor
This course is designed to explore the role of the principal as instructional leader and change agent. It is based in the educational effectiveness research and will focus on the leadership role of the principals. It is designed to serve the interests and needs of current administrators who wish to expand their qualifications for the Principalship or certified personnel seeking an additional endorsement. | ||
| EDAD 945 | Independent Readings | 0 |
| EDAD 895 | School Improvement | 3 |
School Improvement is designed to provide students of educational administration an understanding of issues related to the school improvement process and its role in the school reformation movement. | ||
| EDAD 833 | EDAD Assessment Leadership | 3 |
This course provides educators with the knowledge base and skills required to provide leadership with regards to assessment issues which include but are not exclusive to analysis of data to improve instruction; utilization of assessment instruments for guiding instruction to determine best practices for improved student learning; engagement in continuous evaluation of curriculum and instruction; development of criteria for evaluating data. Using basic knowledge, students will identify an assessment issue of individual significance and develop background information, data, and materials needed to provide leadership with regards to this topic. | ||
| EDAD 875 | Activities Director | 3 |
This course deals with the roles and responsibilities of the interscholastic Activities Director. Emphasis will be placed on the philosophies that are required for the Activities Director in the educational setting. The course will cover the skills and prerequisites for the school activities administrator, as well as legal issues, activities policies, finances, sportsmanship initiatives, and the "nuts and bolts" tasks of the school Activities Director. | ||
| TESE 821P | Nature and Needs of Exceptionalities | 3 |
This introductory course surveys the various disability areas in the field of special education and associated educational implications. Major influences from litigation and legislation are discussed along with contemporary issues and trends in special education and gifted education. | ||
| CSP 800 | Advanced Educational Pyschology | 3 |
This course focuses on school learning, its assessment and factors that are related to it. These factors include, for example, learner's development and characteristics (biological, psychological, cultural and social), learner's exceptionalities, teacher's instructional and behavior management techniques, and social influences. Current issues and problems will be studied and discussed in a seminar setting. There will also be opportunity to study topics of individual concern. | ||
| EDAD 842 | Administration of Special Education | 3 |
The purpose of this course is to provide the school administrator information concerning legal aspects of special education, identification of special needs students, and options available in programming for handicapped students. | ||
Tuition & Fees
Nebraska Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $315.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $367.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $945.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1101.75
Out of State Residents
Per Credit Hour
- Tuition
- $444.00
- Fees
- $52.25
- Total
- $496.25
3 Credit Hours
- Tuition
- $1332.00
- Fees
- $156.75
- Total
- $1488.75
Michael Teahon, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor, Department Chair
Michael Teahon has 34 years of educational experience and has worked 18 years as the superintendent at Gothenburg Public Schools. Teahon has served as an adjunct professor at UNK's educational administration department since 2013 and has held leadership positions with the Nebraska Council of School Administrators, Nebraska Association of School Administrators and numerous other groups. He was recently named the 2018-19 Superintendent of the Year by the Nebraska Association of School Administrators.
Application Deadlines
- Fall SemesterJul 11
- Spring SemesterNov 11
- Summer SessionsApr 11
