North Carolina Central University

Departments | Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology (ELRT)

Master of School Administration Program

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.

Master of School Administration Course List

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

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.

Application Deadlines

October 1 Spring Admission to MSA Program
June 15 Fall Admission to MSA Program

Licensure-Only Program in School Administration

The 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 licensure-only option been reinstated by the State Board of Education.

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.

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 years of other professional education (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 GPS 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: June 15th*****

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) 530-7790

MSA Program Full-time Faculty 2007-2008

Alisa Taliaferro, Ed. D
Program Coordinator
Phone: (919) 530-6620
E-mail: ataliaferro@nccu.edu

Helen Jones, Ph. D
Chair
Phone: (919) 530-7489
E-mail: hjones@nccu.edu

Laurell Malone, Ed. D
Assistant Professor
Phone: (919) 530-7437
E-mail: lmalone@nccu.edu

Tim Seigler, Ph. D
Associate Professor
Phone: (919) 530-4340
E-mail: tseigler@nccu.edu

For additional information contact:

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 email or contact Amanda Burgess:

NCCU School of Education
Office of Alternative Licensure Programs
712 Cecil Street
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 530-7790
Ms. Amanda Burgess
Email: aburgess@nccu.edu