Program Description: This program prepares students who are interested in becoming principals in P-12 schools. Consisting of a 42-semester-hour course of study, it includes extensive internship work and requires the completion of a comprehensive portfolio prior to graduation. Students have the option of electing to participate in the program full- or part-time. North Carolina offers a competitive scholarship-loan option (the Principal Fellows Program) to selected full-time students.
Required Standardized Test: GRE General Exam
Minimum Admissions Requirements: Same as the Graduate School
Additional Admissions Criteria: Applicants must have at least three years of teaching experience (or equivalent), submit three letters of recommendation, a personal statement addressing their professional accomplishments and leadership philosophy, and an assessment of readiness to enter a career in P-12 school administration. Admissions decisions are made after an interview with program faculty.
Application Deadline: Cut-off dates for completed application to be considered for admission:
- Fall - July 1
- Spring - November 15
- Summer - April 15
Prerequisites: None
Principal Add-On License: The program leading to the add-on license in School Administration for the Principalship in North Carolina requires the following: a master's degree in related area of education from a regionally accredited institution, a current teaching license and three years of P-12 teaching experience, admission to the Graduate School, and completion of selected graduate courses. See departmental website below for more details.
Number of Graduate Faculty: 12
Number of Students: 60 MSA students and 90 principal add-on license students
Location of Course Offerings: Online
Graduate Program Director:
Mrs. Pamela Buskey
MSA/Principal Add-On Pre Admissions Coordinator
Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations
828-227-7415
pbuskey@email.wcu.edu
Dr. Frederick Buskey
MSA Program Director
Department of Educational Leadership and Foundations
828-227-7108
fbuskey@email.wcu.edu
Departmental Website: School Administration - M.S.A.