Handbook

Overview

The master’s degree program in P-12 Educational Leadership is designed for educators interested in the practice of leadership and administration who aspire to be formal school leaders or teacher leaders in K-12 educational settings.

The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester credits and is approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to certify graduates for the School Administrator Certification (Building-Level ES Endorsement). Candidates complete coursework related to leadership, inquiry, continuous school improvement, organizational theory, professional learning communities and diverse community relationships, alongside a field-based School Leadership Internship.

Objectives of the M.A. Program

Broad Perspective: Provide students with an appreciation and understanding of educational systems within social, economic, historical and normative perspectives as a foundation for administrative leadership.
Focus on Learning: Deepen students’ understanding of central issues in teaching and learning as the core concern of schools.
Inquiry Skills: Convey inquiry skills and provide opportunities to apply them to crucial problems of leadership practice.
Theory into Practice: Connect theoretical understandings of organization and management to leadership and administrative practice.
Leadership Development: Challenge students’ introductory skills, knowledge, and dispositions related to central school leadership functions.
Equity & Access: Empower prospective leaders to identify, question, and change historical and institutional barriers that prohibit access and equity in educational organizations.

Handbook Guide

Select from the links below to jump to a specific section, or scroll through the handbook to learn about the entire scope of our program.

Program Standards & Core Values
Program Components & Course Sequence:
Certifying Examination & Administrator Assessment
Degree Requirements & Academic Regulations
Academic Performance & Progress Evaluation
Policies for Academic & Research Integrity, Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) and Disciplinary Actions
School Administrator Certification Pathways
Graduation Checklist & Clearances

The handbook also contains Institutional Resources and Supports. For general College of Education resources for students, view the College of Education website or explore the Office of Academic & Student Affairs website.

Program Standards & Core Values

Program standards are framed around the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Building-Level Standards (2018). These standards guide progress, ground assessment, and influence course experiences and performance assessments for graduation.

Preamble

On Community:

Program standards apply to both the internal organization (the learning community/organization) and the surrounding community, including families, local agencies, and the broader policy environment.

On Core Values:

Program learning is animated by five core values:

Commitment to democratic traditions, institutions and heritage.
Academic excellence and disciplined inquiry.
Ideals of equity and social justice for all members of the educational community.
Recognition of diversity as an enriching element of educational experiences.
An ethic of personal care for the welfare and well-being of all those served.

MDE/NELP Building-Level Standards Summary

Mission, Vision and Improvement: Collaboratively develop, communicate, and implement a shared mission and vision promoting continuous improvement and equitable outcomes.
Ethics and Professional Norms: Demonstrate integrity, ethical decision-making and professional responsibility while fostering trust and accountability.
Equity, Inclusiveness and Cultural Responsiveness: Create inclusive environments by addressing inequities and ensuring equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities.
Learning and Instruction: Promote high-quality teaching using evidence-based instructional practices, data-informed decisions and coherent assessment systems.
Community and External Leadership: Build meaningful partnerships with families, community organizations and external stakeholders.
Operations and Management: Manage school operations, resources, policies and organizational systems strategically to maintain safe, efficient learning environments.
Building Professional Capacity: Recruit, develop, support and retain effective educators while cultivating collaborative professional cultures.

Program Components & Course Sequence

The M.A. program requires 30 total credits, comprising 21 credits of core studies and 9 credits of elective studies.

Program Areas of Emphasis

Area I: Learning Leadership: Equips leaders to promote student learning, professional learning for educators, organizational learning and community learning.
Area II: Inquiry and Reflection: Focuses on designing, conducting and reporting school-based inquiry projects to address critical problems of practice.
Area III: Internship: A two-semester integrated field experience (EAD 820) enabling candidates to demonstrate leadership competence across real-world administrative settings. (Note: Spring registration for internship activities may affect federal financial aid eligibility; consult a financial aid advisor).

Schedule of Course Offerings

Common Elective Options (Select 9.0 Credits)

Year 1 Core

Year 2 Core

Electives

EAD 801: Leadership and Organizational Development (Fall, 3.0 cr)
EAD 824: Leading Teacher Learning (Summer, 3.0 cr)
EAD 830: Race, Class and Education Disparities in U.S. Schooling (Spring, 3.0 cr)
EAD 850: Issues and Strategies in Multicultural Education (Spring, 3.0 cr)
EAD 860: Concept of a Learning Society (Summer, 3.0 cr)
EAD 861: Adult Learning (Fall/Spring/Summer, 3.0 cr)
EAD 863: Training and Professional Development (Spring, 3.0 cr)
EAD 878: Education in the Digital Age (Fall, 3.0 cr)
EAD 881: Serving Needs of All Learners (Online) (Summer, 3.0 cr)

Certifying Examination & Administrator Assessment

Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC)

Candidates seeking the Michigan School Administrator Certificate (Elementary and Secondary PK-12 ES Endorsement) must pass the MTTC Administrator Assessment (MI139 – ES).

Passing Score: 220.
Format: Computer-based test consisting of 80 multiple-choice questions and 1 constructed-response task (approx. 3 hours 45 minutes). Official score reports take approximately six (6) weeks.

Degree Requirements & Academic Regulations

Credit & Residency Requirements

Minimum Total Credits: 30 semester credits.
Residency: A minimum of 6 semester credits must be earned in residence on campus.
Course Loading: Graduate students may carry up to 16 credits per semester (minimum 9 credits per semester for full-time academic status).

Academic Performance & Progress Evaluation

Course Performance Standards & Grading

GPA Requirement: Candidates must maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher.
Grading System: Standard numerical scale (4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, 1.0, 0.0) or Pass-No Grade (P-N). A grade of 3.0 represents work that adequately meets graduate course objectives. Grades below 3.0 reflect performance below graduate expectations.

Academic & Research Integrity, RECER and Disciplinary Policies

Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR)

All M.A. candidates must complete a minimum of three (3) hours of RECR training focused on data ethics in educational settings.

Curriculum: Based on the National Center for Education Statistics' Forum Guide to Data Ethics, covering nine (9) core canons: Honesty/Integrity, Context of Data, Statutory Standards, Accurate Reporting, Accountability, Data Quality, Accurate Analysis, System Asset Protection, and Safeguarding Sensitive Data.
Delivery: Integrated into EAD 812 (Year 1) and applied during EAD 820 Internship (Year 2). Completion must be recorded annually in the Research Training Tracking System (RTTS) by May 15 of each academic year.

School Administrator Certification Pathways

Requirements for MDE Certification

To receive MSU recommendation for the MDE School Administrator Certificate (PK-12 Building Level ES Endorsement), candidates must:

Complete the approved 30-credit M.A. in P-12 Educational Leadership or complete the 21-credit Certification Pathway Program (for individuals already holding a master's degree in an education-related field).
Earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.00.
Pass the MTTC Administrator Assessment (MI139).
Maintain full academic integrity standing.

Certification Pathway Program (21 Credits)

For candidates with an existing master's degree in education:

Required Core Courses (18 cr): EAD 806, EAD 811, EAD 812, EAD 852, EAD 822, EAD 853.
Internship (3 cr): EAD 820 (2 semesters).
Registration: Candidates register under Graduate Certification status via Lifelong Education applications to avoid matriculation fees. (Note: A maximum of 9 graduate certification credits can be transferred into any subsequent MSU degree program).
Learn more about our Certification Pathway Program.

Application Process (MOECS & MSU Packet)

Complete the MSU Certification Application form.
Initiate an online credential application through the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS).

Graduation Checklist & Clearances

To ensure timely processing of graduation and diploma issuance, students must complete the following steps:

Maintain active enrollment (minimum 1 credit) during the semester the certifying exam is completed.
Confirm all degree program course requirements are met without unresolved Incomplete (I) or Deferred (DF) grades.
File the Application for Graduation online with the Registrar's Office within the first 5 weeks of the graduating semester.
Complete the Final Certifying Examination (Option 1 or Option 2) and verify submission of the completion record form.
Complete the online Graduate School Exit Survey.

Institutional Resources & Support

Key Departmental & University Officers

Dean of the MSU Graduate School:
- 118 Linton Hall
- (517) 355-0301
University Research Integrity Officer (RIO): Safeguards research integrity and data compliance.
- 106 Wills House, 287 Delta Court Rm. 106, East Lansing, MI 48823
- (517) 432-6699
Office of the University Ombudsperson: Assists with academic and non-academic dispute resolution.
- 129 North Kedzie Hall
- (517) 353-8830
Human Research Protection Program (HRPP):
- 246 Administration Building
- (517) 355-2180