Master of Education — Administration and Supervision

Introduction

The master’s program (M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and Supervision at Clemson University is a 36-credit-hour program designed to lead to certification in South Carolina as a building level leader. According to state regulation, there are two levels of certification that candidates may obtain as a result of program completion: Elementary Principal/Supervisor (grades K-8) or Secondary Principal/Supervisor (grades 6-12). The level of administrative certification that candidates may earn is contingent upon their current teaching certification.

At Clemson, we strive to prepare reflective educational leaders who are grounded in the literature. This guiding principle serves as the foundation for principal preparation. Upon program completion, we hope that students are caring, capable leaders with the dispositions to bring needed change to educational settings to meet the learning needs of all children.

Faculty

Our faculty are both nationally recognized scholars and former practitioners in the public schools. The faculty have expertise in instructional leadership, the law, education finance, state accountability policy, curriculum development, assessment, school and community relations, the politics of education, school leadership and organizational theory and change. Faculty bring these areas of expertise to each class and attempt to craft meaningful learning experiences that are applicable to the everyday practice of school leadership.

Admission

In order to gain admission, students must complete an application for admission on the Clemson University graduate school website. The following are required elements of the application:

• A completed Clemson University Graduate School application.
• Unofficial transcripts (Official transcripts will be required if recommended for admission).
• The GRE exam (scores must be no more than five years old).
• A statement of interest in the program. Please tell us why you want to pursue a career in educational leadership and also tell us why Clemson may be the right fit to help you reach your career goals.
• Two letters of reference.

Degree Options

Students may apply as degree seeking students or as non-degree seeking students (in the event that the student already holds a master’s degree). Students pursuing the non-degree option may complete the program requirements and obtain an “add on” for their teaching license. However, students are strongly encouraged to seek a degree while attending Clemson University. The degree holds additional professional recognition and is the least expensive option because tuition at Clemson is reduced for degree seeking students in the School of Education. Students who already hold a master’s degree may earn a second master's at Clemson or pursue an Education Specialist degree in Educational Administration and Supervision (Ed.S). For more information on the Ed.S. degree, please see information for prospective students on the Ed.S. Web page.

Course Delivery

Typically classes in the M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision programs are offered as cohorts and are delivered as contract classes in school districts around the upstate. Students may also take classes on the Clemson campus. In addition, we offer some classes in an online environment or through the use of VTC. The choice to use different technologies allows us to meet the myriad needs of learners around the state.

Program of Study

The program of study includes 36 credit hours. A typical program of study includes the following 12 classes:

*The first five classes: EDL 700, EDL 705, EDL 715, EDL 720 and EDL 730 are core classes in the program. Students must complete these five classes prior to taking any other classes in the program. These five classes provide the foundation for understanding the practice of building level educational leadership and are course prerequisites for the remainder of the program.

The program in Educational Leadership at Clemson is nationally recognized by NCATE and approved by the state of South Carolina. As such, the program is standards based. All 12 courses in the program in Educational Leadership are grounded in the six ELCC standards: Visionary Leadership, Instructional Leadership, Organizational Leadership, Collaborative Leadership, Ethical Leadership and Advocacy Leadership (npbea.org/ELCC/ELCCStandards%20_5-02.pdf). The program contains required assessments that measure both candidate content knowledge and professional skills knowledge. In addition, required assessments measure impact on student learning. All candidates (regardless of degree sought) must take the building level leadership comprehensive exam following completion of the program. It is strongly suggested that candidates take this exam during the last two semesters of their program.

Program Length

Typically, it takes two years to complete the program. Nearly all of our candidates are full-time employees in the public schools of South Carolina. They typically enroll in six credit hours (two classes) per semester including the summer sessions. Classes during the fall and spring semesters meet one night per week for two hours and 45 minutes each in the evenings. Classes during the summer terms meet multiple days each week for either four, six or eight weeks. The summer session classes meet during the day except when those class meetings would conflict with a teacher’s contractual obligation. In that case, classes meet at night.

Certification and Program Completion

Candidates must sit for the Praxis II test 0411 in Administration and Supervision (www.ets.org/s/praxis/pdf/0411.pdf). This is a South Carolina licensure requirement (www.scteachers.org/cert/Certpdf/required_examinations.pdf). Candidates are counseled to take this examination during the last two semesters in the EDL program. It is strongly suggested that you report these scores to Clemson University. Please make sure to request an electronic score report be sent to Clemson when you register for the exam.

Once candidates have completed course work, passed the building level comprehensive exam and passed the Praxis II exam, it is time to apply for state certification. To complete the certification process, candidates must

• submit a letter to the program coordinator, Dr. Rob Knoeppel, requesting certification. This letter MUST include the level of certification sought;
• submit a copy of Praxis II test 411 scores (this may be done electronically);
• complete the top portion of the South Carolina verification of college preparation form;
• submit a change of action form to the state department of education; and
• submit an official copy of your Clemson transcript to the state department of education.

To begin the application process, please contact Dave Fleming, Graduate Program Coordinator. For more information on the content of the Educational Leadership program, please contact Robert Knoeppel.

Important Program Documents

M.Ed. Program Handbook
Program Planning Worksheet
Checklist for Certification
Verification of College Preparation (licensure request)
Principal Internship Handbook
Superintendent Internship Handbook

Contact Information

Program Coordinator: Hans Klar (hklar@clemson.edu).