Program Requirements
Please find below information regarding admission requirements, program requirements, and program options. Options consist of the following:
- Option 1 (Master's of Science in Educational Leadership 36 hours)
- Option 2 (Master's of Science in Educational Leadership 30 hours
Option 1 and Option 2 result in candidate application for licensure (PK-12 Supervision endorsement) in Virginia
Alternative licensing options exist in Virginia but are limited - contact the Program Coordinator or Program Staff for information related to endorsement options not listed.
Admission Requirements
Applicant must have/completed the following:
- A collegiate professional or postgraduate professional license
- A minimum of three years successful K-12 classroom teaching experience
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate work attempted sent to the Graduate College
- Three letters of recommendation, one of which is from the most recent principal and one from current superintendent or designee sent to the Graduate College
- Writing sample which details applicant’s philosophy of teaching and learning and administrative aspirations (two pages typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. Font, with one-inch margins) sent to the Graduate College
- Official test scores from either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) factored in with undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) to derive acceptable cutoffs
- An admission interview with the Program Director of the Educational Leadership Program
Program Requirements
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA with no more than one C allowed during program completion
- Completion of a final comprehensive exam during the last semester of the student's program of study
Master of Science in Educational Leadership (36 hours)
Option 1 - Masters Degree with Licensure (36 semester hours)
Option 1 is for those who do not already possess an appropriate master's degree and seek licensure in School Administration
Required Courses
- EDEL 612 Intro. to School Administration
- EDEL 614 Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction
- EDUC 615 Principles of Curriculum Development
- EDEF 606 Educational Research
- EDUC 617 Models of Teaching
- EDEL 621 Organization and Management of Public Schools
- EDEL 624 Technology for School Administrators
- EDEL 626 The School and Community Relations
- EDEL 630 Legal and Ethical Dimensions of School Administration
- EDEL 690 Internship
Elective Course
Electives
- EDEL 635 Seminar in Problems of Educational Leaders
- EDEL 660 Seminar: Current Issues in Education
Other electives may also be selected with advisor's approval
Master's of Science in Educational Leadership (30 hours)
Option 2 - Master's Degree with Licensure (30 semester hours)
Option 2 is for those who already possess an appropriate master's degree and seek licensure in School Administration
Program Requirements
- EDEL 612 Introduction to School Administration
- EDEL 614 Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction
- EDUC 615 Principles of Curriculum Development
- EDUC 617 Models of Teaching
- EDEL 621 Organization and Management of Public Schools
- EDEL 624 Technology for School Administrators
- EDEL 626 The School and Community Relations
- EDEL 630 Legal and Ethical Dimensions of School Administration
- EDEL 690 Internship
Field Experience and Licensure
In order to be fully licensed, a student must complete an internship. An internship consists of a minimum of 360 hours of administration experience in local schools and/or in a division office setting. Students may begin the field placement after six hours in the program and may sign up for 2.0 – 6.0 hours of placement at a time (in 2 hour increments). Each 2.0 hour unit of the internship consists of 120 clock hours working with an administrative mentor principal/central office supervisor. The administrative internship is required for licensure as a preK-12 Supervisor.
Licensure Requirements
The School Leadership Assessment by ETS is required by the Commonwealth of Virginia prior to receiving the pre K-12 Administration and Supervision license. The Virginia Department of Education requires licensure candidates to score at or better than 165 on the SLLA to receive an endorsement in administration and supervision.
Radford University's Master of Science in Educational Leadership provides students the opportunity to prepare for the role of school principal and/or officer supervisor licensure at the pre K-12 level.
Alternate Route to Licensure - Restricted Enrollment - Requires School Division Superintendent's Letter of Exception for Licensure
Educational Leadership Post-Graduate Certificate
The Educational Leadership Certificate Program consists of six courses (18 semester graduate hours) covering Virginia’s Requirement for K – 12 Licensure in School Leadership, using an alternative route to licensure which requires a recommendation of support from the Superintendent of Schools in the employing division of the licensure candidate. All candidates for the Certificate Program must have a valid Virginia teaching licensure and hold a Master’s Degree from an accredited College/University. Competencies for Professionals are aligned with the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards. Those who complete the program receive Radford University’s Post Graduate Certificate for Educational Leadership. This Certificate does NOT provide automatic licensure for School Leadership in Virginia. ALL Certificate completers must also pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) administered by the Educational Testing Services Corporation prior to being eligible for a licensure as a school leader in Virginia. The pass score is established by the Virginia State Board of Education. Successful completion of the Certificate Program, a minimum passing score on the SLLA and a letter from the employing Superintendent for an exception to the typical licensure degree program must be met for licensure in Virginia through this certificate program.
Which careers does this certificate enhance?
This certificate responds to needs by school divisions who are in searching for licensed teachers who want to become school leaders and have been identified as such. The participants must already hold a Master’s Degree from an accredited College/University. The Certificate Program includes those that are working in or preparing to work in:
- Pre-School and Elementary Schools
- Middle Schools
- High Schools
- Central Office Supervision
How successful are completers in finding employment?
Many students who complete the certificate are already employed, and are interested in enhancing their skills. Some of these students are already working in quasi-leadership roles for their school division or other in providing support to official school leaders. Completion of the Certificate Program does qualify students for School Leader Licensure. Successful completion of the program does not fulfill all of the three requirements for such licensure in Virginia.
How long will it take to complete the certificate?
Most students complete the certificate in one year and a half. Many of the courses for this program are based on on-line instruction. EDEL 624 Technology for School Administrators is typically the first course program participants select. This introduces both the technology involved for the program, but also serves as an introduction to school leadership and basic Interstate State School Leaders Consortium Standards. The required courses are also part of the Educational Leadership Program Master’s Degree thus creating multiple opportunities for participation and networking within the educational leadership community.
What is the cost of the program?
Tuition costs can be found here. Full-time Virginia educators (K-12) can qualify to pay a reduced tuition rate for Radford University courses. The Reduced Tuition Rate for Virginia Educator’s is set by the Board of Visitors each May to be effective the following fall semester. For information on the current reduced rate contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
