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School Leadership, Management, and Administration

[1] Master of Science Program (MS) in School Leadership, Management, and Administration

Offered through the Department of Leadership Studies, graduate programs in school leadership are designed for individuals seeking Arkansas licensure as building administrators, curriculum administrators/ or program administrators for adult education, special education, or gifted talented education. These programs are aligned with both state and national standards. The program is part of UCA’s National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation and is approved by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council. The program is designed to prepare school-based leaders who are (1) strong educators with a focus on student’s needs and learning, (2) moral agents and social advocates for the children and communities they serve, (3) effective communicators with students, colleagues, and members of the community, (4) effective managers of change, and (5) effective integrators of technology into the educational environment.

The professional degree, Master of Science (MS), is designed to meet the needs of professional educators for preparation as building level leaders and administrators as principals, vice principals, assistant principals, or curriculum/program administrators. Candidates may choose one of the two tracks for their master’s degree work: Building Administrator or Curriculum/Program Administrator. Both tracks require completion of a minimum of 34 hours of approved coursework, an internship, a portfolio defense, and a satisfactory score on the Arkansas Department of Education mandated examination.

[2] Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

The Department of Leadership Studies has approval from the Arkansas Department of Education to offer programs of study in the following areas for individuals with appropriate master’s degrees: building administrator and curriculum/program administrator for adult education, special education, or gifted talented education. These programs of study vary in length based upon individual applicant backgrounds. All programs require an internship and portfolio defense. Contact the Department of Leadership Studies for details.

[3] Board of Education Requirements

The state of Arkansas requires a minimum of four years of teaching experience to hold a school-based administrators license. Building administrator and Curriculum/Program Administrator licenses are offered for P-12. Candidates must document four years of teaching experience. Significant internship experiences must be completed at P-12 levels. Regardless of the type of license being sought, all candidates must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) to be recommended by UCA for an initial administrator’s license. Curriculum/Program Administrators must hold a valid teacher license in the area of administrator license being sought.

[4] Admission Requirements

[4.1] Master of Science Degree

Admission to this degree program is competitive and selective. In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, all applicants must provide the following information for evaluation by the departmental admission committee.

  1. A completed application form that includes the names and contact information of three professional references.
  2. A valid standard teaching license.
  3. Official transcripts from all institutions attended.

[4.2] Post-Master’s Certificate Program

Admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program requires completion of an appropriate master’s program. In addition, the applicant must apply for admission to the Graduate School and provide the following information for evaluation by the departmental admission committee.

  1. A completed application form that includes the names and contact information of three professional references.
  2. A valid teaching license.
  3. Official transcripts from all institutions attended.

[5] Retention Requirements

Retention is contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree or certificate, and holding or eligible to hold a valid teacher’s license. Serious violations of the state ethics mandates for P-12 educators, and/or serious violations of UCA student academic conduct policies may result in suspension or dismissal from the program.

[6] Transfer Credit

A maximum of six semester hours of graduate degree credit with grades of “B” or above may be transferred from another UCA graduate program or another regionally accredited institution. Candidates must specifically request consideration of transfer work completed prior to admission to the program. After admission to the program, approval to transfer work from another institution must be approved prior to enrolling in the courses. No internship hours may be transferred.

[7] Degree and/or Certificate Requirements

To be recommended for a degree or certificate, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  1. Complete all required coursework with at least a 3.00 GPA (maximum of seven hours of “C” grades may be counted toward degree);
  2. Complete satisfactorily all student assessments required as part of the state and NCATE accreditation process;
  3. Complete satisfactorily the program required capstone experience;
  4. Present score reports on the state mandated external national examination and meet at least the minimum score set by the state for licensure, and;
  5. Present other documentation that is required by the state in order for the department to recommend you for the appropriate administrator’s license.

[7.1] 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 I or II, 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.

[8] Recommended Courses by Term for the MS Degree

(limited flexibility allowed)

1st Term
All candidates

SLMA 6310 Foundations of School Leadership
LEAD 6321 Research Methods

2nd Term
All candidates

SLMA 6312 School-Based Organizational Leadership
SLMA 6320 School Law

3rd Term
All candidates

SLMA 6330 Curriculum and Program Leadership for Schools
SLMA 6112 Leadership for Social Justice

4th Term
All candidates

SLMA 6340 Instructional Leadership in Schools
SLMA 6210 Assessment and Data Analysis for School Improvement
Appropriate Internship (1 credit hour)

5th Term
All candidates

SLMA 6360 Collaborative School Leadership
Appropriate Internship (2 credit hours)

6th Term
Building Administrator

SLMA 6350 Principal as Manager
ITEC course (3 credit hours)

Curriculum/Program Administrator

Appropriate Specialization Course(s) (up to 6 credit hours)

All candidates

Appropriate Portfolio Course

[9] Post-Master’s Certificates for Adding a License

Based upon transcript analysis, the following potential co-requisites will be required in addition to the specific Post-Master’s Certificate course work listed below:

Co-Requisite Courses (up to 12 hours)

SLMA 6312 School-Based Organizational Leadership
SLMA 6320 School Law
SLMA 6340 Instructional Leadership
SLMA 6360 Collaborative School Leadership

[9.1] School-Based Leadership: Adult Education Administration (16 Hours)

ASTL 5395 Introduction to Adult Education
ASTL 5396 Methods and Techniques of Adult Education
ASTL Six hours of electives chosen with the consent of the advisor and department chair
SLMA 6166, 6266, or 6366 Internship Adult Education Administrator to total three hours
SLMA 6176 Portfolio Development and Defense

[9.2] School-Based Leadership: Building Administration (10 Hours)

SLMA 6330 Curriculum and Program Leadership or EDLP 7301 Program Planning & Evaluation
SLMA 6350 Principal as Manager
SLMA 6120 Internship: Elementary School, SLMA 6130 Internship: Middle School, SLMA 6140 Internship: High School (to total three hours)
SLMA 6170 Portfolio Development and Defense

[9.3] School-Based Leadership: Curriculum Administration (13 Hours)

Six hours of graduate work in the field of curriculum studies approved by the advisor and department chair
SLMA 6330 Curriculum and Program Leadership or EDLP 7301 Program Planning & Evaluation
SLMA 6162, 6262, or 6362 Internship for Curriculum Administrator (to total three hours)
SLMA 6172 Portfolio Development and Defense

[9.4] School-Based Leadership: Gifted-Talented Education Administration (13 Hours)

Six hours of graduate work in the field of gifted-talented education approved by the advisor and department chair
SLMA 6330 Curriculum and Program Leadership or EDLP 7301 Program Planning & Evaluation
SLMA 6165, 6265, or 6365 Internship Gifted-Talented Administrator to total three hours
SLMA 6175 Portfolio Development and Defense

[9.5] School-Based Leadership: Special Education Administration (13 Hours)

Six hour of graduate work in the field of special education approved by the advisor and department chair
SLMA 6330 Curriculum and Program Leadership or EDLP 7301 Program Planning & Evaluation
SLMA 6164, 6264, or 6364 Internship Special Education Administrator to total three hours
SLMA 6174 Portfolio Development and Defense

[10] Courses in School Leadership, Management, and Administration (SLMA)

Follow this link for SLMA course descriptions: course link.