The Program Course of Study for the Master of School Administration (MSA) degree is designed to prepare visionary school leaders for the public schools of North Carolina and the nation. The 42 semester-hour MSA program at North Carolina Central University involves 30 hours in the major (10 courses), and 12 hours in a field-based, full-time internship and seminar. The MSA program combines course work, field experiences, and an internship experience as the principal means of providing MSA candidates with essential knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for exemplary school leadership, particularly in preparation for diverse cultural contexts and as advocates for social justice.
The MSA program at NCCU is guided by standards and competencies of the State Department of Public Instruction (DPI), the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards of School Leaders (ISLLC), Educational Leaders Constituent Council (ELCC), National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the mission of North Carolina Central University and the School of Education.
Upon completion of the Program, candidates will be able to do the following:
Fall Courses
EDAM 5110 - School Law (3)
EDAM 5210 - Curriculum Leadership and Learning Theory* (3)
EDAM 5320 - Principles of Education Administration* (3)
EDAM 5360 - Resource Management and Community Relations (3)
EDAM 5945 - Educational Inquiry and Program Evaluation (3)Spring Courses
EDAM 5370 - School Finance (3)
EDAM 5330 - Theory and Practice of the Principalship (3)
EDAM 5350 - Social Justice, Advocacy, and Ethical Leadership (3)
EDAM 5120 - Politics, Policy, and Contemporary Issues* (3)
EDAM 5211 - Curriculum Development and Design (3)
EDAM 7010 - Internship Seminar (6)
EDAM 7110 - Internship (6)
Admissions Requirements for Add-on Licensure
- Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in an education-related field
- 2.5 GPA overall at the undergraduate level, 3.0 GPA in the undergraduate major and the graduate program are required.
- Successful GRE scores
- Three years successful public school teaching experience and a current Class “A” teaching license.
- Two letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess professional performance and comment on potential leadership abilities. One letter of recommendation should be from the current principal or supervisor.
Special students, not yet admitted to the MSA Program, can take up to 3 courses or 9 credit hours before being officially admitted to the program. Special students are restricted to taking the three courses identified by the asterisk.
November 1 - Spring Admission to MSA Program
May 1 - Fall Admission to MSA Program
This program is in response to the growing need for school principals. A huge number of principals are expected to retire and the changing roles of principals are some of the reasons cited for the anticipated shortage. The Add-on License option has been reinstated by the State Board of Education and the initiative reads as follows:
An individual who holds a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, and has 3 years of teaching or other professional education experience or has been employed by an LEA as an assistant principal may be issued an individualized plan of study for a license in school administration. The plan of study shall reflect these standards for school administration programs. The individual must complete a supervised internship as part of the plan of study. In addition to completing any requirements prescribed by the institution of higher education for the school of administration license, the individual must also satisfy the testing requirements for the license.
Approved by the State Board of Education, April 2006The MSA program is designed to prepare visionary school leaders for diverse cultural contexts and to serve as advocates for social justice. The curriculum is grounded in the ELCC/ISLLC, NC Standards for School Leaders and the School of Education’s conceptual framework. The add-on license program curriculum is consistent with the same high quality that is typical of the School of Education and the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology.
All candidates will complete a 24 credit hour program that includes 12 hours of course-work and 12 hours of internship/seminar. The faculty will customize a program of study that meets the needs of each candidate. Individuals who are interested in the program should seek permission from a principal to do a year-long, full-time internship in his or her school. Also, each program completer must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) examination in order to work in North Carolina public schools.
We are seeking individuals with leadership potential who are dedicated to life – long learning and serious about serving as change agents in the public schools. The faculty is committed to working closely with candidates and their principal mentors.
The program is currently planned for classes to be on campus. Programs may be offered at particular school district locations if there are at least 15 applicants in a district.
Interested persons must:
- Hold a master’s degree in an education-related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have three (3) years of successful teaching experience, OR three (3) years of other professional education experience (e.g., counselor, media specialist, etc.), OR hold an appointment as an assistant principal.
- Provide two letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess professional performance and comment on potential leadership abilities. One letter should be from the current principal or supervisor.
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all graduate coursework.
- Provide evidence of agreement from a principal for an internship placement.
- Assessment team review and recommendation to the Dean of the School of Education for unconditional admission to the program.
Application Deadline: May 1 (Fall Admission)
Contact the Office of Alternative Licensure Programs for an application.
NCCU-School of Education
Office of Alternative Licensure Programs
712 Cecil Street
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 530-7790If you have any questions about the Program contact:
Dr. Alisa Taliaferro, MSA Program Coordinator
Phone: (919) 530- 6620
E-mail Address: ataliaferro@nccu.eduFor Add-On Licensure application, please email or contact Cheresa Clemons, Director of Alternative Licensure at (919) 530- 7296 or cclemons@nccu.edu
Alisa Taliaferro, Ed. D
Program Coordinator
Phone: (919) 530-6620
E-mail: ataliaferro@nccu.eduHelen Jones, Ph. D
Chair
Phone: (919) 530-7489
E-mail: hjones@nccu.eduLaurell Malone, Ed. D
Assistant Professor
Phone: (919) 530-7437
E-mail: lmalone@nccu.eduTim Seigler, Ph. D
Associate Professor
Phone: (919) 530-4340
E-mail: tseigler@nccu.edu
Dr. Alisa Taliaferro, Assistant Professor
MSA,Principal Fellows and Add-On Lincensure Program Coordinator
Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology
School of Education
712 Cecil Street
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 530-6620
E-mail: ataliaferro@nccu.edu
For applications write or contact:
School of Education
Office of Graduate Studies
North Carolina Central University
712 Cecil Street
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 530-6478
Ms. Vonda Belle
Email: vbelle@nccu.edu
For Add-On licensure application, please contact:
Cheresa Clemons
Director of Alternative Licensure
Phone: (919) 530-7296
E-mail: cclemons@nccu.edu
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