Educational Specialist Degree in Education with a Concentration in School Administration

Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

Online Educational Specialist in Education with a School Administration Concentration program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate content knowledge and skills in leading and managing in educational environments at the P-12 school building/higher education departmental level.

Program Highlights:

The program has two tracks. One is a 30-hour track designed for individuals who hold Master’s degree in School Administration and administrator license. The second track is intended for students who do not hold administrator licensure. The program of study for this track requires a minimum of 37 credit hours of coursework above the Master’s degree including EPY 6214 and EDL 7000.
Through this program, students will be eligible to receive an administrative licensure by the Department of Education.
100% online. Internships can be done at any location convenient for the student.
All online students pay in-state tuition

What are potential careers?

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of professional positions in education, including principal, assistant principal, coordinator, and director.

Who should pursue this degree?

An individual interested in pursuing professional positions in education including school district level positions.

Program Structure

Individuals Holding a Master’s degree in School Administration and Administrator License

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EPY 6214	Educational and Psychological Statistics	4
EDL 7000	Directed Individual Study in Educational Leadership	6
Graduate-level coursework with at least 15 hours at the 8000 level		20
Total Hours		30

A comprehensive examination is required.

Individuals without Administrator License

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL 8413	School Legal and Ethical Perspectives	3
EDL 8423	School Leadership	3
EDL 8433	Using Data for School Improvement	3
EDL 8513	School Leadership Internship I	3
EDL 8523	Educating Diverse Learners	3
EDL 8613	School Leadership Internship II	3
EDL 8623	Leading Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment	3
EDL 8633	Human Resources Leadership for Schools	3
EDL 8713	School Business and Facilities	3
EDL 8723	Leadership for Positive School Cultures	3
EPY 6214	Educational and Psychological Statistics	4
EDL 7000	Directed Individual Study in Educational Leadership	3
Total Hours		37

A comprehensive examination is required. Students will be required to complete the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). Students must also submit their SLLA results to the program for completion. Note, students completing the licensure-track Ed.S. generally complete the MDE-approved licensure courses, in addition to a 3-hour DIS (EDL 7000) and EPY 6214 for a total of 37 hours.Student Resources

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the program, the applicant must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution, meet the basic requirements specified for graduate students at Mississippi State University, demonstrate interest in the mission of P-12 schools, and demonstrate academic proficiency based on the following indicators:

A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on the master’s degree
Letter of endorsement from current school administrator and two other recommendation letters
Statement of purpose
Copy of valid teacher’s license
Evidence of three years of teaching experience/li>
Résumé
Interview

We encourage applicants to follow the guidance below when preparing a Statement of Purpose. In no more than two pages, please respond to the following items:

Describe your interest and purpose for applying to the program, including your short- and long-term career goals.
Describe your experience in P-12 education, including the variation of your experience and why you believe the experience prepares you for a leadership role.
Describe your demonstrated competencies in increasing student achievement citing specific data examples. Provide explanation of instructional expertise leading to increases.
Describe your demonstrated competency in creating a classroom culture of equity and high expectations. Provide explanation of evidence-based strategies to establish such a culture and at least one specific example.
Describe your vision for leadership including the skills and behaviors you believe contribute to productive and effective educational leadership.

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions
Domestic Unclassified Admissions
International Unclassified Admissions

Provisional Admissions
Readmission
Transfer Credit

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

Submit online application. You will choose Educational Specialist in Education with a concentration in School Administration as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
Statement of Purpose
The TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
Three letters of recommendation
- You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Educational Specialist in Education with a concentration in School Administration online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE
In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

International Unclassified Admissions

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Provisional Admissions

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Readmission

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

Contact Information

Anusha Rijal

Online Education

Coordinator

a.rijal@msstate.edu 662-325-8876

Dr. Paula Tharp

Department of Educational Leadership

Assistant Professor

ptharp@colled.msstate.edu 662-325-4711