Graduate Programs in Educational Leadership

School Administration, M.S.A.

Director: Larry G. Mabe

Program Description

The thirty-nine (39) semester hour Master of School Administration is designed to prepare administrative leaders for the system of elementary, middle, and high schools. The Master of School Administration leads to licensure in school administration.

The conceptual framework of this program is built around the NC Standards for School Executives, which provide the program structure and purpose. The seven standards are as follows:

Standard 1: Strategic Leadership

School executives will create conditions that result In strategically re-imagining the school’s vision, mission and goals in the 21st century.

Standard 2: Instructional Leadership

School executives will set high standards for the professional practice of 21st century instruction and assessment that result in a no-nonsense accountable environment.

Standard 3: Cultural Leadership

School executives will understand and act on the understanding of the important role a school’s culture contributes to the exemplary performance of the school.

Standard 4: Human Resource Leadership

School executives will ensure that the school is a professional learning community.

Standard 5: Managerial Leadership

School executives will ensure that the school has processes and systems In place for budgeting, staffing, problem solving, communicating expectations and scheduling that result in organizing the work routines in the building.

Standard 6: External Development Leadership

A school executive will design structures and processes that result in community engagement, support, and ownership.

Standard 7: Micropolitical Leadership

The school executive will build systems and relationships that utilize the staff’s diversity, encourage constructive ideological conflict in order to leverage staff expertise, power and Influence to realize the school’s vision for success.

In addition, the MSA program adheres to the ISLLC standards indicated below:

Standard 1. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of allstudents by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
Standard 2. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
Standard 3. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
Standard 4. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
Standard 5. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
Standard 6. A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.