Information for Prospective Students
Program Contact: Dr. Louis S. Nadelson (lnadelson1@uca.edu)
Phone: (501) 450-3254
Begin your journey today in a distinguished leadership program where distinguished school leaders belong.
General Program Information
The Educational Specialist degree in the Educational Leadership Program (EDLP) reflects the College of Education’s historic mission and commitment to preparing leaders for P-12 schools. The Department of Leadership Studies offers a 30 credit-hour degree program for district-level administrators. The program is performance-based and utilizes a variety of 21st century technologies, authentic assessments, and personalized internships.
While we welcome any out of state candidates, completion of any program, other than an initial licensure program, may not lead to licensure or endorsement in Arkansas or in the state in which you reside. It is your responsibility to check with your state’s department of education to determine if the license or endorsement requirements are met through the program of study. If you are a potential out of state candidate, please contact the program coordinator directly.
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). A 21 hour Post-Master’s Certificate in District-Level Administration licensure is also available.
In the Educational Leadership Program. We can offer…
A customized plan of study for individuals who have an appropriate Master’s Degree in education who to earn an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.). EDLP students take 21 credit-hours of selective course work and nine credit-hours of required EDLP course work (e.g. Building Administration, Curriculum/Program Administration).
Building Level Endorsement – Add to EdS Plan of Study
- An Ed.S. student who would like to add the building-level administrator endorsement:
- Core Requirements
- EDLP 7301 Program Planning and Evaluation
- EDLP 7363 Human Resource Administration
- EDLP 7387 Organizational Change and Development
- Core Requirements
- Selective Courses that includes the state-approved plans of study for adding a building-level administrator license (click on the following link to view the Post Master’s Certificate courses for building-level administration: https://uca.edu/leadershipstudies/slma/A 22 – 25 credit-hour.
EDLP Courses – For EdS Degree (District Administrator Endorsement)
For candidates seeking the Ed.S. degree to add district-level administration endorsement to a teaching license, will complete: :
- EDLP 6324 Facilities Planning and Administration
- EDLP 6325 School Community Relations
- EDLP 7301 Program Planning and Evaluation
- EDLP 7363 Human Resource Administration
- EDLP 7387 Organizational Change and Development
- EDLP 7300 School Finance
- EDLP 7324 School Board Relations
- EDLP 7330 Internship District Leadership
- LEAD 8352 Advanced School Law
- ITEC 6368 Technology Planning and Leadership
Post Masters Certificate – District Level Administrator Endorsement (No EdS Degree)
For candidates seeking licensure-only (Post-masters Certificate) as a district-level administrator (have completed a Masters degree in Building Level Administration) will complete the following:
These 3 courses or comparable (9 credits) are required of all students (can be transferred from the EdS degree or considered from another institution) –
- EDLP 7301 Program Planning and Evaluation
- EDLP 7363 Human Resource Administration
- EDLP 7387 Organizational Change and Development
All students must complete these four courses (12 credits) –
- EDLP 7300 School Finance
- EDLP 7324 School Board Relations
- EDLP 7330 Internship District Leadership
- EDLP 6324 Facilities Planning and Administration
The EDLP program has been approved for fully online delivery. Candidates experience direct and individualized contact with their professors in small class settings. EDLP are on approximately a ratio of 15:1 students to instructor.
EDLP is an NCATE accredited program. Graduates must pass the School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) prior to receiving their license. EDLP has a 100% pass rate on the SSA.
Click the following links for more information:
Graduate School admission process requirements can be found at: Graduate School
EDLP program application takes place through the UCA Graduate School: Apply Now!
EDLP program description in the 2021-2022 Graduate Bulletin: Educational Specialist Program (EdS) in Educational Leadership
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Leadership Studies Student Resources
The Teacher Opportunity Program (TOP) offers tuition reimbursement grants to Arkansas teachers and administrators. Teachers and administrators may apply for reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses paid for up to six (6) college credit hours completed for each academic year, not to exceed $3000.