Educational Specialist in Education with a concentration in Teacher Leadership

Get Started on Your Graduate Degree Online Today!

As an educational specialist, you can make a difference in the classroom, but the influence does not have to stop there. The online program, Educational Specialist in Education with a concentration in Teacher Leadership prepares students to focus on developing positive school culture by supporting and improving pedagogy among P-12 instructors. The program candidates learn to analyze data, evaluate instruction, improve student achievement, and make strategic decisions. As a future administrator, the program prepares you to have the tools to creatively solve problems, promote collaborative learning, empower others, supervise staff, promote change, and establish a positive school culture.

Program highlights:

The program has two tracks. 1) A 30-hour track designed for individuals who hold a Master’s degree in School Administration and an administrator license. 2) Intended for students holding a Master's degree in an area other than School Administration, the program of study requires a minimum of 37 credit hours of coursework above the Master's degree.
Courses are 100% online. Internships are required but can be done at any location convenient for the student.
All online students pay in-state tuition
Leads to a 481 Mississippi Endorsement
The program compliments the National Board Certification process.

What are some potential careers?

Graduates of the program are prepared for a wide range of professional positions in education, including curriculum coordinator, lead teacher, instructional coach, and teacher-mentor.

Who should pursue this degree?

Consider this degree program if you are a P-12 classroom teacher or any other professional interested in learning skills to help other teachers better understand subject matter, teaching skills, monitoring student learning and so much more.

Program Structure

First Summer

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL 8423	School Leadership	3
EDL 8433	Using Data for School Improvement	3
EDL 8343	Effective and Reflective Practitioner for Teacher Leadership	3

Fall

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL 8523	Educating Diverse Learners	3
EDL 8323	Differentiation of Instruction for Teacher Leadership	3

Spring

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL 8623	Leading Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment	3
EDL 8333	Teaching Practice and Learning Environment for Teacher Leadership	3
EDL 8353	Teacher Leadership Internship	3

Second Summer

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL 8723	Leadership for Positive School Culture	3
EDL 8313	Assessing Content Knowledge for Teacher Leadership	3

Can be taken in any semester during the program

Course Number	Course Title	Hours
EDL/EDF/EDE/EDS/EPY	Elective	3
EPY 6214	Educational and Psychological Statistics	4

Total Hours: 37

Individuals holding a Master's degree in School Administration and an administrator license are required to complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework above the Master's degree. Individuals holding a Master's degree in an area other than School Administration are required to complete a minimum of 37 credit hours of coursework above the Master's degree.

A comprehensive examination is required.

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:

Grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on master's degree
Letter of endorsement from current school administrator and two other letters of reference
Statement of purpose
Copy of valid teacher’s license
Evidence of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience
Current résumé
Interview

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 Teacher Leadership 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 Teacher Leadership 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. Leigh Ann McMullan

Department of Educational Leadership

Associate Clinical Professor

lmcmullan@colled.msstate.edu 662-325-7110