School Administration, M.S.A.

Program Description

Overview

The M.S.A. program is a nationally recognized and accredited leadership preparation program that prepares individuals to lead schools and other educational organizations. Most MSA graduates move into leadership positions at a school site, while others assume influential roles within state, regional, or national organizations that focus on educational professional development, research, or policy-making. Completion of this program leads to eligibility for licensure as a K-12 Principal from the North Carolina State Department of Public Instruction and qualifies one for principal licensure in most states.

The MSA course of study involves two years of full-time study. These two years integrate coursework and significant field-based activities in the first year. The second year of study is characterized by a full-time paid internship and corresponding seminar. The course of study is aligned with the UNC School of Education’s conceptual framework; the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Standards for School Executives; the 21st Century Skills standards; the Interstate Leaders Licensure Consortium standards; the Educational Leadership Constituent Council and National Professional Board for Educational Administration standards. The program is fully accredited by the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The program is fully authorized by the University of North Carolina system’s General Administration.

The MSA program is housed within the Educational Leadership Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. US News & World Report ranks UNC’s Educational Leadership offerings in the top 10, or top 5%, of similar degree granting programs nationwide---the only ranked leadership program, whether public or private, in North Carolina. North Carolina’s school superintendents have consistently ranked UNC’s educational preparation programs #1 over the years. Recent revisions in the MSA program led the UNC system schools’ General Administration to commend the revisioned program for the innovative approach that it has taken to the preparation of school executives.

As the centerpiece of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Educational Leadership programs, the courses and field experiences of the M.S.A. reflect the stated mission of the Educational Leadership faculty.

As you explore the MSA program at UNC on these web pages, we invite you to contact us with any questions you may have.

Admissions

Prospective applicants must hold a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university and provide official transcripts of all undergraduate study. An undergraduate GPA of 3.2 is desirable.

Most M.S.A. candidates do not have administrative experience, nor have they completed prior graduate study in educational administration. Admission is competitive. Successful applicants typically are currently employed, have a minimum of three years of school-based professional experience and possess a state license/certification.

Students are selected on the basis of their academic preparation, professional experience and intellectual and leadership potential. An interview may be required.

Program Contact

James Veitch, Ed.D., Program Coordinator
veitch@unc.edu
(919) 966-1354