Educational Leadership

[1] Educational Specialist (EdS) Program in Educational Leadership

The Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership (EDLP) includes two general areas of concentration: (1) a PK–12 emphasis in district and school level positions (e.g. superintendent and other central office positions; building administration; curriculum administration; program administration in adult education, special education, or gifted and talented education; instructional technology; library media information technologies, etc.); and (2) a post-secondary education emphasis (e.g. student affairs, college administration, or adult education, etc.). A Post-Master’s Certificate in District-Level Administration is also available.

[2] Admission to Program

In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, the prospective candidate must

1. Complete the application forms/processes for admittance to the EDLP program.
2. Provide documentation of appropriate master’s degree in school or educational leadership or approved equivalent (Note: Eligibility for a district-level license requires a standard building-level and/or curriculum/program license).
3. Provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores to the Graduate School or Praxis I or verification of a valid standard educator license to the graduate school and the department.
4. Present letters from appropriate officials that verify the applicant has had at least four years of relevant professional experience if appropriate for the area of emphasis.
5. Provide at least three professional references that may be contacted regarding your potential for success in the program.
6. Provide official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Each candidate’s transcript will be evaluated for determining if any courses will be required as program prerequisites for admission into the program.
7. If candidates did not complete an appropriate research or statistics course as part of their master’s degree, then one of these courses will be an additional requirement.

[3] Arkansas Requirements for Candidates Seeking P–12 Licensure

Candidates seeking P-12 administrator licensing for District-Level Administrator or Building-Level Administrator (includes Building Administrator and Curriculum/Program Administrator* licenses) must adhere to the following state requirements for UCA to recommend the candidate for licensing:

1. Complete significant internship experiences at P-12 levels.
2. Present to the Department of Leadership Studies the appropriate license application, an appropriate score report showing at least the minimum score set by the state for licensure, and all other documentation that is required by the state.
3. Acquire and provide documentation of the appropriate number of years of professional experience required by the state for the license being sought.

* Curriculum/Program Administrators must hold a valid teaching license in the area of administrator licensing being sought.

[4] Retention Requirements

Retention is contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree. Candidates focusing on the P–12 emphasis must hold a current and 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.

[5] Resident Credit and Transfer Credit

No more than six semester hours credit of grade “B” or above earned at another institution may be applied to the degree requirements. To be considered for transfer, the credits must have been awarded by a state or regionally accredited institution, must have been earned after completion of the master’s degree, must complement the student’s approved program of study, and must be approved in advance by the department. Internship and portfolio credit may not be transferred. Acceptance of transfer credit does not reduce the 24 hours of residency requirement.

[6] Degree Requirements

The EdS degree in Educational Leadership requires that the candidate

1. Earn a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit including three required courses (9 semester hours)—EDLP 7301, 7363, 7387—and a minimum of 21 hours of selective courses congruent with area of emphasis, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0, with no more than six hours of “C” grades; and
2. Complete satisfactorily the program’s required culminating experience.

[6.1] PK–12 Education Concentration

[6.1.1] Core requirements (9 hours)

[6.1.2] Selective credit hours (minimum of 21 hours)

Course selections are based on area of emphasis, transcript analysis, and department approval. The selective courses will be chosen from appropriate coursework from existing graduate-level offerings. Please see the Department of Leadership Studies website and/or contact the Program Coordinator for more information.

[6.2] Post-Secondary Education Concentration

[6.2.1] Core requirements (9 hours)

[6.2.2] Selective credit hours (minimum of 21 hours)

Course selections will based on area of emphasis, transcript analysis, and department approval. The selective courses will be chosen from appropriate coursework from existing graduate-level offerings. Please see the Department of Leadership Studies website and/or contact the Program Coordinator for more information.

[7] Post-Master’s Certificate in District-Level Administration

[7.1] Core Course Requirements (21 hours)

[7.2] Certificate Requirements

To be recommended for the 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 the program’s required culminating experience;
3. Present score reports on the state mandated external national examination and meet at least the minimum score set by the state for licensure, and;
4. Present other documentation that is required by the state in order for the department to recommend you for the appropriate administrator’s license.

[8] Graduate Course Links: Educational Leadership (EDLP)

Follow this link for EDLP course descriptions: course link.