Teaching & Leadership M.S. Requirements

Admission Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

1. A four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university [preferably in the specialization area or near equivalent].
2. A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 for all undergraduate work or a GPA of at least 3.0 for the junior and senior years of undergraduate work (based on A = 4.00).
3. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies' English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

Admission Process 

1. Complete the School of Graduate Studies online application.
2. Submit the application fee.
3. Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae
4. Submit three (3) letters of recommendation that address the academic and professional qualities that support you for graduate work. These 3 letters should come from: 1) a current education supervisor or administrator; 2) a professional colleague or university professor that has knowledge of your work/work ethic; and 3) a person of your choosing that can speak to your readiness for graduate work and potential for success.
5. Send official transcripts from each institution attended to the School of Graduate Studies.
6. Submit a response to the Statement of Goals and Objectives, Essay, and Program Questions as outlined below.

Statement of Goals and Objectives

As part of the application process, the applicant must respond to the following questions: (suggested length = no more than 500 words per question response)

1. Describe several personal and professional goals you would like to achieve in the next five years. Include in your description reasons why these goals are important to you.
2. Review the specializations available to students in the MSTL program. Which of these are you interested in and explain why this specialization area aligns with your personal/professional goals identified in question 1.

Essay

As part of the application process, the applicant must respond to the following questions: (suggested length = no more than 500 words per question response)

1. What are the characteristics, attitudes, values, and/or skills that you believe will make you a good candidate for your [current and/or future] professional role?
2. What have you already done professionally or personally of which you are proud? Please include a chronological history of all professional teaching or administration experiences, as well as academic honors or achievements you have earned.

Program Questions

Please consider the following questions in light of the Master of Science in Teaching & Leadership program and profession to which you are applying.

(Each answer should be approximately 300 words.)

1. What initially sparked your interest in the field in which you are pursuing graduate education? Describe how you first became interested in this profession.
2. As lifelong learners, we all have areas of strength and areas of further development. Please describe the strengths you will bring to this program. Please describe the areas of development or challenge that you expect to encounter in this program.
3. This program requires students to be receptive and open to constructive feedback from instructors and supervisors. How do you typically receive constructive feedback?
4. How do you typically manage deadlines for work or school? How do you plan to meet deadlines for this program as they arise?

Degree Requirements

1. A minimum of 30 credits
2. A maximum of one-fourth of the credit hours may be transferred from another institution, depending on the courses and grades, with director approval
3. Maintenance of at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA for all MSTL classes
4. Successful completion of the program’s Exit Interview and/or Exit Survey

Core Requirements (14 or 15 core credits)  |   for Dual Credit Specializations (11 or 12 core credits)

Specialization Area Coursework (16 - 19 credits)

Choose one Specialization. The Specializations include the following: Principalship, Elementary Education, Instructional Coaching, Middle/Secondary Education, STEM Education, Behavioral Supports in Education (SPED), Secondary Math Education*, Secondary Biology Education*, Secondary Chemistry Education*, Secondary Physics Education*, Applied Data Research, or Generalist.

( * = with Dual Credit certification)