Master of Arts in Educational Administration

About the Program

The purpose of the Master of Arts in Educational Administration program is to prepare students with the training to become effective school administrators. This program will lead to K-12 administration certification.

  • How to Apply

    Applications should be submitted by August 1 for Fall enrollment, and December 1 for Spring enrollment. However, applications will be continued to be reviewed until classes begin as space allows. 

    Complete an online application.

    Email the following materials to the Director, Dr. Lisa Rice, ricel@moval.edu

    • Resume
    • Personal Statement (1-3 page statement about your reasons for pursuing a Master degree Educational Administration and career aspirations/goals)
    • Unofficial Transcripts (Official Transcripts will be due to the Admissions Office)
    • 2 Letters of Recommendation

    For more information about the program, contact Dr. Lisa Rice, ricel@moval.edu, 660-631-4648.

  • Standards & Indicators

    The program focuses on defining effective school leadership as related to the Missouri Model Leader Standards and Indicators. The standards organize the functions that help define strong school leadership in five areas. These standards represent the high-priority themes that education leaders must address in order to promote the success of every student. The standards address the following roles of a school administrator:

    • Standard 1: Visionary Leadership
      • The Principal as the Visionary Leader develops and implements a vision for the school to guide the learning of all students.
    • Standard 2: Instructional Leadership
      • The Principal as the Instructional Leader ensures a guaranteed and viable curriculum, guarantees effective instruction practice, coordinates the use of effective assessments and promotes professional learning.
    • Standard 3: Managerial Leader
      • The Principal as the Managerial Leader implements the operational system, oversees personnel and ensures the equitable and strategic use of resources.
    • Standard 4: Relational Leader
      • The Principal as the Relational Leader interacts professionally with students, staff, family, and the community.
    • Standard 5: Innovative Leader
      • The Principal as the Innovative Leader continues professional growth, actively engages in reflective practice and applies new knowledge and understanding to drive appropriate change.
  • Program Completion

    To complete the program, students must complete at least 36 graduate credits, including the prescribed program requirements, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and no more than 6 hours below a grade of B. Embedded in the course work is the state-required, written assessment. Scoring of the written assessment will be done at the institution level by the faculty of the program.

    Students are required to pass the School District Leadership assessment-Test Code 080 Building Level Administrator in order to obtain certification from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

  • Curriculum and Instructional Design
    CourseDescriptionCredit Hours
    ED501History of Educational Administration3
    ED502Current Issues in Educational Leadership3
    ED503School Leadership: The Principalship3
    ED504Teacher Evaluation & Instructional Improvement3
    ED505Education Finance3
    ED506Education Law3
    ED507Supervision and Building Management3
    ED508Educational Media Relations3
    ED509Facilities Analysis and Design3
    ED510Design of Effective Curriculum3
    ED511Research in Educational Administration3
    ED512Internship I (Hours Embedded in courses)0
    ED513Internship II3
  • Educational Administration Handbook

Course Offerings & Descriptions

  • ED501

    The course will focus on fundamental organizational principles, models of administrative practices, problem-solving and communication skills in leadership, and local, state, and federal governance in education.

  • ED502

    The course focus will be on the discussion of current topics in educational leadership. Readings will be assigned and reflective analysis will be employed to achieve a depth of understanding that will assist the student to effectively utilize said reflections to improve a school building operationally.

  • ED503

    This course provides the student with understanding knowledge and skills related to the function and role of an effective school principal. Topics will include policy development, school structure, climate, faculty and staff development, communications, instructional leadership, and planning strategies.

  • ED504

    A course that will instruct the student in improvement based teacher evaluation methodology. The student will learn about a variety of methods that have been implemented to improve standardized test results in a school. Topics include the nature of supervision, selection of personnel, evaluation of personnel, retention of personnel, and organizational theory. This course requires 45 hours in internship activities.

  • ED505

    The student will learn how to build a district/building budget in general and with respect to Missouri school finance statutes. Topics include the role of business management in education, the role of the principal as a business manager, governmental regulations and procedures, budget practices, scheduling and reporting techniques, negotiation techniques, the role of auxiliary services and the current state formula for funding the LEA.

  • ED506

    The course will provide the student with knowledge and understanding of the effect of the legal system on education. Areas included are the constitutional framework of public education and individual rights, a survey of federal and state laws and regulations, case law, as well as tort, contract and district liability.

  • ED507

    This course introduces the student to theories, knowledge, skills, and research findings concerning supervision in the school. Topics include the nature of supervision, selection of personnel, evaluation of personnel, and organizational theory. Learning methodology will emphasize both individual and collaborative group activities and will include case study analysis, discussion and classroom presentations. This course requires 45 hours of internship activities related to school supervision.

  • ED508

    A course in creating effective media relations instruments. The student will develop a variety of projects based on multiple cases in school public relations. Topics include public relations policy, recognition of community structure and communications channels, a survey of internal and external public, the use of various forms of presentations and maintenance of a positive relationship with the press and media.

  • ED509

    This course will introduce the student to the strategies and skills necessary to plan and maintain educational facilities effectively and economically. Topics include space evaluation, effective use of space for the instructional program, modernization of facilities, planning strategies to meet the educational and community needs, supervision of building personnel and job descriptions of personnel.

  • ED510

    A course that will assist the student in constructing effective curriculums to be implemented in schools with the goal of improved standardized test scores. The course will also focus on school improvement, successful models of district/building effort to improve student academic performance.

  • ED511

    The course will focus on a study of statistical concepts and assist the student to analyze and use relevant research to improve the school setting. The student will investigate the basic nature of educational research, along with methods of data collection and analysis. Emphasis will be placed on research problems, designs, and findings in the student’s selected area of emphasis.

  • ED512

    A course designed to provide the prospective school leader with hands-on training in an administrative setting in a school at the instructional level of choice. The student will spend at least 150 hours participating in the activities of a building administrator, under the guidance of the professor and an active principal. A log of the hours will be required at the end of the course.

  • ED513

    A course designed to provide the prospective school leader with hands-on training in an administrative setting in a school at the instructional level of choice. The student will spend at least 150 hours participating in the activities of a building administrator, under the guidance of the professor and an active principal. A log of the hours will be required at the end of the course.


Faculty

Dr. Earl Wellborn
Dean of the Division of Education
Professor of Education
Dr. Pam Riggs
Associate Professor of Education
Dr. Lisa Rice
Assistant Professor
Dean, Division of Education