Dec 05, 2025  
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

School Administration, MSA


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Program Coordinator: Karen Jones (216 Ragsdale Hall; 252-328-2856; msadm@ecu.edu)

The School Administration, MSA program is designed to prepare individuals to become school leaders. Program studies include a significant service-learning component. The program 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 School Administration, 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 program 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 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

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

Internships - 15 s.h.


(Choose one.)

Licensure/Certification Requirements in North Carolina


The curriculum for all ECU Certificates, Degrees, and other Graduate Programs  have been designed to meet the licensure/certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for licensure/certification exams in North Carolina. The various licensure boards in each state are responsible for setting requirements for licensure/certification in their state. Other states have their own requirements, and you’ll want to make sure your program meets criteria in your home state (or state where you intend to work) before you apply.

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