Online MS in Educational Leadership & Administration

Program Highlights

• This program offers online coursework combined with extensive hands-on access to the life of PK-12 schools.

• Extensive field work allows students to gain experience in data management, budget development, daily operating procedures, and human interactions. Students will be able to complete academic requirements while still attending to their professional responsibilities at their own school site.

• Opportunities exist for advance standing:
  • At the discretion of the program advisor, three to six credits for prior learning (“CPL”) can be awarded for students with extensive backgrounds in areas addressed by specific courses.
  • Advance standing may be granted for Bible or theology credits earned at an accredited Bible college, Christian liberal arts college or university, or seminary. Credits will be granted on a course by course basis.
  • At the discretion of the program advisor, field placement hours can be minimized for students based on current professional involvement and responsibilities.

• If all coursework necessary for state certification is completed, students may qualify to meet their state’s principal certification requirements, but are advised to check with their state’s Department of Education for specific details and reciprocity potential.

• This program can be supplemented with a 180-hour internship in administration, qualifying the candidate to apply for Pennsylvania (PK-12) and/or Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Principal (all levels) certification after fulfilling PA testing requirements. Additional certification program entry and exit requirements can be obtained by contacting the Chair of Graduate Education Programs, Dr. Laura McCollum, at lmccollum@cairn.edu.

Requirements

To enter the program, the candidate will:

• Apply and complete Cairn University’s Graduate Program enrollment process
• Hold a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA from an accredited undergraduate institution and submit proof in the form of official transcripts.

To complete the program, the candidate will:

• Successfully complete all required coursework with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Successfully complete the Action Research Project (EDL 791), a capstone project similar in scope to a Master’s Thesis. This school intervention project includes a minimum of 90 hours of on-site field experience.

For more information about the online MS in Educational Leadership & Administration degree program, contact Kristina O’Connell, Admissions Counselor, at koconnell@cairn.edu.