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Master's of Science Program in the Principalship
Mission Statement
The University of Akron’s principalship program prepares candidates for Ohio state principalship license through a master degree and post-masters component. This rigorous program prepares candidates to meet national standards for educational administration. These standards are currently used by Ohio (and over 30 other states) to evaluate educational administrators. These standards are based on the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) (Council, 1996). These ISLLC standards as used by the Educational Leadership Constitutent Council (ELCC) National Policy Board, 2002 in cooperation with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education to accredit educational administration programs.
In 2004, The University of Akron’s programs in educational administration were nationally recognized. This national recognition was secured because of the effective ways standards are incorporated into our educational administration programs. Course work reviews and prepares candidates in the knowledge, disposition and performance in six areas:
- visionary leadership,
- school culture and instructional leadership,
- school management and organizational leadership,
- community collaboration and leadership,
- ethical leadership, and
- political and legal leadership.
A seventh standard in the ELCC also requires extensive field-based application through a real and sustained internship. All seven of these standards are thoroughly emphasized in course syllabi and candidate assignments and assessments.
The programming in the principalship build on the multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary training, experience and research of faculty in the Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership. Educational anthropologist, sociologists, research methodologists, philosophers, and educational psychologists equip administrative candidates in the ethical, philosophical, sociological and research base of administration. Then experts on educational leadership provide further training on organizational theory, management and leadership, politics, program and instructional evaluation, curriculum and supervision, school law, pupil services, and related administrative issues. Together this rich program guides candidates toward knowledge, disposition and skill development essential for principal leadership. These expert faculty not only teach but also publish widely in national journals and present at national conferences on issues as diverse as case study analysis, moral leadership, school law, professional learning communities, principal preparation, ethics, urban school governance, and related educational areas.
Admission Standards
Those wishing to enter the principalship program must apply "electronically at least six weeks (domestic) and six months (international) before the start of the term for which admission is sought” (Graduate Bulletin, 2008-2009, p. 19). The application fee is $30 for domestic students and $40 for international students. Reapplication fees are only $25. Online application is located at ApplyYourself. Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended “must be received by the Graduate School” (p. 18) and will be used by program advisors to assist in planning the candidates program. See the 2008-2009 Graduate Bulletin for more details.
“An offer of admission will be made to an applicant who meets all admission requirements. However, it must be recognized that staff, facilities, and other resources are limited, so the number of students accepted will vary among departments and from term to term. An accepted applicant may begin graduate work in the fall, spring or summer semester….No student will be admitted without approval and acceptance by a department within the University, but admission to a department does not necessarily imply admission to or candidacy for any graduate degree program in that department.” (p. 19). See the bulletin for more specifics about acceptance of applicants.
Full Admission candidates are those who are pursuing “a graduate degree” and who have “a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an overall grade-point average of 2.75 or better or 3.00 for the last two years (64 semester credits or equivalent); or holds an advanced degree from an accredited college or university in or appropriate to the intended field; or holds a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a foreign college or university with first-class standing or its equivalent, plus satisfactory evidence of competence in English” (p. 20). Provisional Admission candidates have “2.74-2.5 overall GPA or 2.75 over the last two years. This admission status permits a student to take up to 15 semester credits of graduate coursework. Graduate courses taken under this admission status may be applied to a graduate degree program, but only when all requirements for full admission have been met” (p. 20). See the Graduate Bulletin for more admission statuses and explanations.
Candidates for the principalship license must have completed three years of working under a valid Ohio teacher license or equivalent before applying for the principalship license. Nevertheless, because the principalship program can traditionally take three or more years, students are admitted without any teaching license or experience but are encouraged to secure both a valid Ohio teaching license or equivalent and a teaching position before completing the program. They are also clearly informed that they will not qualify for a principalship license without three years of working under a valid teaching license.
Needs of the State or Region
The pool of qualified, capable and willing candidates for principalship positions have declined in the last two decades according to national and state reports as well as according to local trends reported by area administrators. This has created a crisis of leadership. This program, in collaboration with area districts, seeks to remedy this need.
Placement Objectives for Graduates
Our principalship candidates secure jobs in both private, public, correctional and alternative schools. These positions are as site-based principals or assistant principals or related administrators.
Additional Information and Links
Principalship Program Details
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