Program Description: The program meets the state requirements for licensure as a district level administrator. It requires 39-42 semester hours of course work beyond the master's degree and focuses on the unique leadership challenges and opportunities in the P-12 schools in rural settings. Students are required to present a professional portfolio in their final semester and to perform satisfactorily on an oral comprehensive examination based on that portfolio. To be licensed in the state of North Carolina, students must also pass a licensure examination adopted by the state Standards Board for School Administrators.
Required Standardized Test: GRE General Exam
Minimum Admissions Requirements: Same as the Graduate School
Additional Admissions Criteria: Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, a detailed resume, and a personal statement addressing their professional goals. Admissions decisions are made after an interview with program faculty.
Application Deadline: None
Prerequisites: Applicants for the Ed.S. in Educational leadership must hold the master's degree from a regionally accredited institution and are expected to hold a graduate licensure at the fifth-year level in school administration or supervision. Applicants who hold graduate licensure at the fifth-year level in a teaching field may be admitted with the provision that all requirements for the fifth-year level in school administration or supervision become an integral component of the Ed.S program.
Applicants must submit scores on the GRE General test and three recommendations from former instructors and/or administrative superiors who are in a position to judge the applicant's aptitude for graduate study. Applicants will be interviewed by program faculty.
Number of Graduate Faculty: 12
Number of Students: 30
Location of Course Offerings: Cullowhee and Asheville
Graduate Program Director:
Dr. Sandra Tonnsen
Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations
828-227-3324
tonnsen@email.wcu.edu
Departmental Website: Educational Leadership - Ed.S.
