Education, School Leadership, M.A.

The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in School Leadership is for experienced teachers ready to expand their leadership opportunities outside of the traditional classroom. This 39-credit program includes extensive preparation for school administration and a sequence of courses and activities planned to guide the candidates in developing the knowledge and skills required of principals and supervisors. A year-long, 6-credit internship with monthly seminars provides candidates with opportunities to apply their knowledge and continue to improve their abilities to function as effective, caring school leaders.

Students seeking a Master of Arts in this concentration area must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level, K-8 or 7-12) and a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying. (Elementary grades: K-8; Secondary grades: 7-12).

Students certified to teach at the elementary level should enroll in the elementary school leadership program, and students certified in a subject taught in high school should enroll in the secondary school leadership program. Persons wishing to become certified in administration at a level different from their teaching certification area will need to add the appropriate teaching credential and consult the graduate advisor for the course(s) needed in school leadership. Persons holding valid teaching credentials in both elementary and secondary may select either elementary or secondary school leadership.

To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam. This program is offered in an online/hybrid/blended format.

School Leadership (39 credits)

Master of Arts programs are designed primarily for certified teachers. Individuals seeking initial teacher certification will be required to complete undergraduate courses which will not apply toward the master’s degree.

Admission Criteria

Students seeking admission to a Master of Arts program must have:

earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or a teacher education program recognized by the South Carolina Board of Education with a GPA of no less than 2.75 (3.0 preferred)
satisfactorily completed an accredited program of initial teacher certification

and, must submit:

a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
two professional recommendations and Dispositions Assessment Evaluation by persons familiar with the candidate’s teaching (e.g. principal, assistant principal, immediate supervisor)
a copy of their current teaching certificate
official transcripts from each higher education institution previously attended

International Degree Candidates Initial Admission

Any applicant who is a non-U.S. citizen wishing to attend Furman University Graduate Studies programs as a degree- or non-degree seeking student is considered an international applicant. All international applicants are required to have transcripts from any non-U.S. institutions evaluated by a credentialing service. All applications, fees, documents, and requirements must be submitted online through our secure admissions site to Graduate Studies. Official GRE General Test Score(s) should be submitted to Graduate Studies directly from ETS.

Visa Information

Anyone already issued a valid U.S. visa (H-type or J-type), or a Permanent Residency Card, must submit copies of these documents as part of the application process. If an international applicant is seeking a student visa (F-1), the process for applying for this status will be addressed by the Dean of International Admission.

Application Deadlines for International Applicants

Fall: March 15
Spring: August 15
Summer: January 15

It is important to note that if your program’s deadline is prior to the international deadline, you should have your materials in by the earlier deadline.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants whose primary language is not English must submit appropriate scores from either TOEFL or IELTS. All international graduate applicants must present one of the following as part of their online application: a TOEFL score of at least 577 on the paper-based test (pbt) or 90 on the internet-based test (ibt) or an IELTS score of at least 7.5. Applicants who take the TOEFL or IELTS must have the official score report sent to Graduate Studies directly from the testing service.

Applicants who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution are eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Program directors may also petition Graduate Studies to waive this requirement on an individual basis.

Furman Department of Education-specific requirements:

Applicants without a state of SC-issued teaching certificate, including but not limited to international applicants, must submit documentation (i.e. letter from an administrator, official transcript, etc.) indicating previous preparation and/or experience as a classroom teacher. International students without a valid SC teaching certificate are not eligible for initial or add-on licensure at program completion.

Program Continuation

Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person. Continuation in a program leading to the award of the Master of Arts requires successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater.

Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Associate Director of Graduate Studies.

After Admission to degree candidacy, all students in a program must:

maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirements
demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Office of Graduate Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission

Program Completion/Degree Audit

The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the student’s record to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses.

Program Completion/Graduation

Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis content exam.

Quick Step Guide to the Master of Arts

Preliminary Conference with Graduate Studies
Application/fee/transcript/recommendations/teaching certificate
Acceptance/Official conference with Graduate Studies
Complete EDFD 879: Master’s Seminar in Education
Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam (if applicable)
Graduation

Requirements

Two core courses (6 credits)

Eight courses in the concentration (24 credits)

EDSL 718 Organization and Control of American Schools
EDSL 719 Leadership in Educational Organizations
EDSL 727 Strategic Planning and Thinking in Education
EDSL 730 Designing and Implementing Curriculum
EDSL 823 School Finance
EDSL 825 Schools and the Law
EDSL 840 Supervision and Instructional Leadership
EDSL 849 The Principalship *
*Must be taken prior to or concurrently with the internship; pre-requisite EDSL 719

A year-long internship (6 credits)

and a capstone experience (3 credits)

EDFD 879 Masters Seminar in Education *
*Must be the final course completed in the degree program.
Notes: All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience. Passing score on PRAXIS area exam is required to be recommended for both the degree and licensure.

Additionally, in order to gain SC licensure in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level license; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership: Administration and Supervision subtest; and have a minimum of three years teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying.