Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership

[1] Objectives

The Master of Science in Education in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL) is a cross-disciplinary program designed to prepare candidates to become highly skilled and articulate classroom teachers who serve as leaders in their schools and communities. It is designed to enhance and expand existing knowledge, skills, and dispositions of candidates while fostering the development of competencies expected of advanced educators. The program rests on the assumption that accomplished educators engage in reflective decision-making and efficacy as they assess and extend their own professional practice. In addition to addressing the elements of UCA’s Professional Education Unit’s Conceptual Framework, the program incorporates standards and propositions from appropriate national professional organizations including the Teacher Leadership Model Standards.

Upon completion of the program, ASTL graduates will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to

1. Respond positively to practices that enhance student learning.
2. Critically analyze their own teaching practices and appropriately respond to their findings.
3. Articulate the rationale for decisions they make regarding professional practice, instruction, and policies and procedures.
4. Make informed decisions by reflecting on experiences both past and present to improve teaching practices that enhance student learning.
5. Function as change leaders for the improvement of their professional communities.

This 30-hour graduate degree program consists of a 15-hour core and a 15-hour emphasis area of student-selected education courses approved by the academic advisor. There are five (5) emphasis areas, four (4) of which that are designed to meet the course requirements for endorsements that can be added to an educator’s license and one emphasis area that offers a more generalized focus, allowing students to collaborate with their academic advisor in selecting courses. This personalized approach enables students to either deepen their expertise in a specific content area or broaden their skill set in a wider education-related field.

Graduate candidates will complete 10 courses for the degree with the culminating experience being the creation and defense of a professional portfolio.

[2] Admission Requirements

Admission into the University of Central Arkansas Graduate Studies program will be required before enrolling in courses. A candidate must have an undergraduate degree with at least a 2.7 GPA in undergraduate work for full admission. In addition, the candidate must submit a letter of recommendation and one of the following: (1) A Program Recommendation by Administrator form, or (2) A Request for Exception from Administrator Form (if the candidate is not currently employed as a teacher).

[3] Program Retention Requirements

After admission to the Graduate School and the ASTL program, candidates are required to submit either a valid educator license or competitive standardized test scores to establish competency in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. This documentation must be submitted to the program within the first semester of enrollment. Failure to submit this documentation will result in the candidate being unable to move forward in their chosen program of study.

To be recommended for a degree, candidates must meet the following requirement: Complete all required course work with at least a 3.00 GPA with a maximum of six hours of “C” grades.

[4] Completion and Endorsement

[4.1] Program Completion Requirements

Candidates must successfully complete the following three program requirements to earn the Master of Science in Education (MSE) in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL) within the six years allotted time set forth by the Graduate School:

1. The ASTL program of study
2. The ASTL program key assessments
3. The ASTL portfolio process

[4.2] Endorsement Information

This section applies to licensure and is not a component of the graduate program completion requirements. For candidates also seeking endorsement or LEAD certification, the following additional actions are required:

• Those seeking the Instructional Facilitator endorsement must apply for this endorsement through the Arkansas Department of Education upon or after successful completion of the ASTL program core.
• Those seeking LEAD certification by the Arkansas Department of Education must apply for this certification and also meet or exceed the state-established passing scores on the PATL exam (beginning Fall 2022).

[5] Continuous Enrollment Requirement

College of Education graduate students are expected to maintain continuous enrollment throughout their program of study until achieving program completion. Specifically, College of Education graduate students are expected to be enrolled in at least two of the three semesters in a given calendar year (Spring, Summer, and Fall). If a student must take a time-out, the student is expected to notify his/her home department. If a student fails to register for more than one semester out of three in a given calendar year, he/she may be ineligible for readmission unless granted by the home department. The Graduate School policy requires that all students complete their program of student within a six year time period.

[6] Program of Study

Teacher Leadership Core (15 hours required)

Emphasis Areas (15 hours required)

1. Generalist / Content Area:
   Fifteen (15) education or content-related graduate hours approved by academic advisor
2. Dyslexia Endorsement:
   ELSE 6314 Diagnosis and Intervention of Reading Difficulties
   ELSE 6343 Clinical Practicum in Reading
   ELSE 6347 Foundations of Dyslexia and Language
   ELSE 6348 Multisensory Approach to Language I
   ELSE 6349 Multisensory Approach to Language II
3. English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement:
   ASTL 5340 Cultural Diversity: Applications for Classrooms and Workplaces
   WLAN 5315 Methods of Teaching Second Languages
   WLAN 5325 Second Language Acquisition
   WLAN 5330 Second Language Assessment
   Three (3) graduate hours approved by academic advisor
4. Gifted and Talented Endorsement:
   GATE 6353 Introduction to Gifted Education
   GATE 6355 Curriculum for Gifted Programs
   GATE 6357 Trends and Issues in Gifted Education
   GATE 6358 Strategies for the Gifted and Talented
   GATE 6359 Designing Assessment, Identification, and Evaluation Protocol in Gifted Programs
5. Online Teaching Endorsement:
   ITEC 6371 Universal Design for Learning
   ITEC 6372 Online Education Course Design, Delivery, Implementation, and Evaluation
   ITEC 6373 Online Teaching and Instructional Strategies
   ITEC 6380 Supporting Student Success in Online Teaching
   ITEC 6341 Design and Production of Media Resources for Online Courses

Please note that while emphasis areas labeled as endorsements within this program are designed to cover the coursework necessary for various educator licensure endorsements, they represent only one component of the endorsement criteria. Students should be aware that additional requirements, such as the successful completion of relevant content or skill exams, may be necessary to obtain these endorsements. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/educator-effectiveness/educator-licensure-area) for comprehensive guidance on meeting all the criteria for their desired endorsements.

Candidates may be allowed to transfer a maximum of six graduate credit hours to the program.

[7] Graduate Certificate (GC) in Gifted and Talented Education

The 15-hour Graduate Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education prepares candidates to teach students with gifts and talents and to complete their licensure in Gifted and Talented education. The program was developed to meet performance standards of Arkansas Teaching Standards (InTASC) and National Association for Gifted Children-Council for Exceptional Children (NAGC-CEC) Teacher Preparation Standards in Gifted Education.

[7.1] Gifted and Talented Program Admission Standards

Prospective students can apply to the GATE program at any time during the year. As an applicant for admission, students must present evidence of their ability to participate successfully in a graduate-level academic endeavor. To be considered, applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School and complete all necessary files. Admission to the Graduate School is based upon the following requirements:

1. Online application
2. Graduate School application fee
3. Transcripts from all institutions attended
4. Health Records

For more information, please visit the Graduate School website.

Admission to the GATE program is based upon the following requirements:

1. Current and Valid Teaching License
2. Two letters of recommendation from professional supervisors
3. Completion of Program Recommendation by Administrator form

For more information and full details of the application process, please visit the GATE Program website.

Important Note: Candidates must pass the state-designated Praxis examination(s) to add the gifted and talented license to existing Arkansas teaching licenses. Out-of-state students should check with their state-issuing teacher licensure agency to determine licensure eligibility and state-specific reciprocity rules and regulations.

[7.2] Program of Study/Required Courses

[8] Graduate Certificate (GC) in English as a Second Language (ESL)

[8.1] ESL Program Admission Standards

Admission into the University of Central Arkansas Graduate Studies program will be required before enrolling in courses. A candidate must have an undergraduate degree with at least a 2.7 GPA in undergraduate work for full admission. In addition, the candidate must submit: (1.) A complete Program Participation form signed by their school administrator and (2.) A copy of their current and valid teaching license.

[8.2] Program of Study / Required Courses

Important Note: Candidates must pass the state-designated Praxis examination(s) to add the ESL endorsement to existing Arkansas teaching licenses. Out-of-state students should check with their state-issuing teacher licensure agency to determine licensure eligibility and state-specific reciprocity rules and regulations.

[9] Graduate Course Links

[9.1] Courses in Advanced Studies in Teacher Leadership (ASTL)

Follow this link for ASTL course descriptions: course link.

[9.2] Courses in Other Areas

Follow this link for CRWR course descriptions: course link
Follow this link for EDDL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for EDLP course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ELSE course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ENGL course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for GATE course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for ITEC course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for LING course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for MATH course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for SLMA course descriptions: course link.
Follow this link for WLAN course descriptions: course link.