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Online Leadership Studies Program (EdS, MS, Certificate)

The Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Online Leadership Studies program offers Masters of Science (MS) and Specialist in Education (EdS) degrees in educational administration with the option of obtaining a Tennessee Instructional Leadership License.

For candidates who already have a masters degree and who are interested in an Instructional Leadership license, the Online Leadership Studies program offers the option of a one-year certificate program which leads to a Tennessee Instructional Leadership license. All courses are offered in an online delivery format.  Students also complete an internship under the supervision of a school mentor (e.g. the school principal) and a facilitator while continuing in their educator position. Students of the Online Leadership Studies program will be trained to become administrators in Tennessee K–12 schools and conduct action research that will aim to improve public schools.

The ELPS Online Leadership Studies program is accredited nationally by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The program has been approved to recommend students for Instructional Leadership Licenses through the State of Tennessee Department of Education and is a charter member of the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA).

Program Options

This 30-credit hour program includes 3 credit hours of internship and leads to a Tennessee Instructional Leadership License (ILL-B). The program is designed to align with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards, the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS), and State Literacy Standards. At the conclusion of coursework, students will be required to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment and score above the established cut-off score to be recommended for Instructional Leadership licensure.

EDAM 513: Administrative and Organizational Theory
EDAM 514: Leading Professional Learning Communities
EDAM 519: Curriculum for School Leaders
EDAM 520: Using Data for Educational Change & School Improvement
EDAM 523: Administration of Special Services
EDAM 544: School Finance and Business Management
EDAM 548: Supervision and Personnel Administration
EDAM 554: Education Policy & Law
EDAM 580: Internship in Educational Administration
EDAM 583: The Principalship

This 36-credit hour program includes 3 credit hours of internship as well as 6 credit hours of research and leads to a Tennessee Instructional Leadership License (ILL-B) license. A master’s degree is required for entry into this program. The program is designed to align with the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards, the Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards (TILS), and State Literacy Standards. At the conclusion of coursework, students will be required to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment and score above the established cut-off score to be recommended for licensure as a Tennessee instructional leader. Students in the EdS program will be required to present a field research project at the qualification exam defense.

EDAM 513: Administrative and Organizational Theory
EDAM 514: Leading Professional Learning Communities
EDAM 519: Curriculum for School Leaders
EDAM 520: Using Data for Educational Change & School Improvement
EDAM 521: Statistics for Educators
EDAM 523: Administration of Special Services
EDAM 544: School Finance and Business Management
EDAM 548: Supervision and Personnel Administration
EDAM 554: Education Policy & Law
EDAM 580: Internship in Educational Administration
EDAM 583: The Principalship
EDAM 592: Field Problems

This program includes either 30 (master’s) or 36 (specialist in education) credit hours of coursework but does not lead to Tennessee principal license because an internship in the state of Tennessee is a requirement for licensure. This option is available to candidates who want an advanced degree in educational administration and are willing to apply for a principal’s license in the home state, post-degree conferral. Electives in the program of study are chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor.  An internship is not required for the non-licensure track.

Each program will be individually planned in consultation with the student.

EDAM 513 Administrative and Organizational Theory
EDAM 514 Leading Professional Learning Communities
EDAM 519 Curriculum for School Leaders
EDAM 520 Using Data for Educational Change & School Improvement
EDAM 521 Statistics for Educators (EdS Only)
EDAM 523 Administration of Special Services
EDAM 544 School Finance and Business Management
EDAM 548 Supervision and Personnel Administration
EDAM 554 Education Policy & Law
EDAM 583 The Principalship
EDAM 592 Field Problems in Educational Administration and Supervision (EdS only)
Approved Electives (3 hours)

 

This 21-credit hour program is designed for students who already have a master’s or specialist in education degree and seek a Tennessee Instructional Leadership License. An internship is required. This program does not lead to a degree but a certificate in educational administration is awarded upon completion. At the conclusion of coursework, students will be required to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment and score above the established cut-off score to be recommended for a Tennessee Instructional Leadership License (ILL-B).

EDAM 514    Leading Professional Learning Communities
EDAM 519    Curriculum for School Leaders
EDAM 544    School Finance and Business Management
EDAM 548    Supervision and Personnel Administration
EDAM 554    Education Policy & Law
EDAM 580    Internship in Educational Administration (3 Hours)
EDAM 583    The Principalship