School Administration, MSA

Program Coordinator: Heidi Puckett (202 Ragsdale Hall; 252-328-6444; pucketth14@ecu.edu)

The master of school administration degree (MSA) is designed to prepare individuals to become school leaders. Program studies include a significant service-learning component. The MSA encourages and supports students to serve as problem-solvers, communicators, innovators, collaborators, and change agents in their respective schools and school districts. A supportive school and district setting is essential for MSA students as they immerse themselves into these service learning experiences. Upon admission to the program a “MSA Letter of Agreement and Support” will be signed by the student, principal, and superintendent to solidify a partnership with the MSA program and to establish guidelines of agreement for the MSA student, the principal, and the superintendent.

At the end of the final semester, the student will have completed six service learning projects (SLP) and provided the written documentation of these projects via a webfolio. The department chair’s verification of the completion of all degree requirements including six SLPs is necessary to meet North Carolina principal license (012, class P) and the North Carolina curriculum instructional specialist level 1 license (113, class S).

The MSA is designed to allow full-time or part-time study. Part-time students begin the program in the second term of summer and continue for six continuous semesters. Full-time students begin the program in the fall semester and continue for 3 more semesters.

Candidates for the MSA program should have an entry-level school license and a minimum of three years teaching/public school experience. For additional information concerning admission, contact the Department of Educational Leadership or view the departmental web site www.ecu.edu/cs-educ/leed/Admission.cfm.

The program consists of 42 s.h., including 27 s.h. of coursework and 15 s.h. of a year-long internship as follows: