Educational Leadership (Instructional Leadership) for K-12 Administrators

Man holding clipboard in front of lockers in school hallway.

 

 

The Educational Leadership (Administration) or School Leadership options lead to a Master of Education Degree and/or Class A-Certification to work as a school administrator. Candidates must be admitted to the Instructional Leadership Program before enrolling in any program course.

As of Fall 2020, all three options are offered fully online. 

Did you know that current Alabama educators qualify for the USA Educator Excellence Scholarship, which equates to 20% of tuition cost each semester for six consecutive semesters? Click here to learn more about the Educator Excellence Scholarship.

Option 1 – Master of Education (MEd Degree) in Educational Administration and Class A Certification (30 Hours)

This degree option is available to the student holding a Bachelor’s Degree with a valid Class B Teaching Certificate and a minimum of 3 years teaching experience. Upon successful completion of the 30-hour program of study and the appropriate Praxis Exam, the candidate is awarded a Master of Education Degree and is eligible for the Alabama Class A Certificate in Instructional Leadership.

Course of Study - Option 1 (pdf)

Option 2 – Instructional Leadership Class A Certification (30 Hours)

This certification without an additional degree option is available to the student holding a Master’s Degree, a valid Class B Teaching Certificate, and a minimum of 3 years teaching experience. Upon successful completion of this option and the appropriate Praxis Exam, the candidate is eligible for the Alabama Class A Certificate in Instructional Leadership.

Course of Study - Option 2 (pdf)

Option 3 – Instructional Leadership Class A Certification – Reduced Hour Option (21 Hours)

This certification without an additional degree option is available to the student holding a Master’s Degree in Education with a valid Class A Teaching Certificate and a minimum of 3 years teaching experience. Upon successful completion of this “Reduced Hour Option” and the appropriate Praxis Exam, the candidate is eligible for the Alabama Class A Certificate in Instructional Leadership.

Course of Study - Option 3 (pdf)

▼   Admission Requirements for Option 1
  1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education.

    Official transcripts* can be sent by mail or electronically. Instructions can be found under “Help” on the application.*USA students applying to a USA graduate program in the College of Education and Professional Studies should complete a transcript request form (PDF) found on the University Registrar's Office website.

    In the Name/Organization field for the transcript recipient write, "USA Graduate School". There is no charge associated with this request. This option applies only to USA transcripts for students applying to USA graduate programs.

  2. GPA Requirement: A minimum overall grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale based on the GPA used as the basis for granting the degree and posted on the official transcript from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned OR a 2.5 GPA on the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work posted on the official transcript from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned. 

    GPA Exception: Individuals who have earned a bachelor 's degree from a regionally accredited institution at the time the degree was earned and who do not have a qualifying GPA for admission may seek admission based on a qualifying score of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). For the GRE, this standard is defined as having a score at the 50th percentile on all of the following subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. For the Miller Analogies Test, students must have a score at or above the 50th percentile based on the total group percentile rank score. For Alternative Class A programs, applicants must submit a qualifying alternate score on the Alabama-prescribed Praxis subject-area test.

  3. A valid ALABAMA Class B or Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area.

  4. Submission of official GRE or MAT exam score.

  5. Three recommendations – one from the applicant’s principal and two from supervisors attesting to the candidate’s leadership and management potential using the recommendation form (PDF) and emailed to: ceps@southalabama.edu

  6. A minimum of three full years of full-time, satisfactory professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience. Must be documented on ALSDE Supplemental Experience Form (PDF) requested from Human Resources in your past/present employing school system.

    Mail to: 
    University of South Alabama
    College of Education and Professional Studies
    UCOM 3360
    75 S. University Blvd.
    Mobile, AL 36688-0002

  7. Completed copy (all forms) of the most recent performance appraisal to include the professional development component and evidence of ability to lead student achievement (Uploaded in document area under Other in Web Admit portal).

  8. Resume (vita) with a reverse chronology of the candidate’s professional employment history, including dates and locations (uploaded within application).

  9. Narrative of candidate’s reasons for pursuing instructional leadership certification, including what the candidate expects from the preparation program (uploaded within application). 

    To apply - click here to get to the Admissions login page.
▼   Admission Requirements for Option 2
  1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education documented on an official transcript from degree granting institution.

    Official transcripts* can be sent by mail or electronically. Instructions can be found under “Help” on the application.

    *USA students applying to a USA graduate program in the College of Education and Professional Studies should complete a transcript request form (PDF) found on the University Registrar's Office website.

  2. A valid ALABAMA Class B Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area.

  3. A minimum of three full years of full-time, satisfactory professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience. Must be documented on ALSDE Supplemental Experience Form (PDF) requested from Human Resources in your past/present employing school system.

    Mail to:
    University of South Alabama
    College of Education and Professional Studies
    UCOM 3360
    75 S. University Blvd.
    Mobile, AL 36688-0002

  4. Completed copy (all forms) of the most recent performance appraisal to include the professional development component and evidence of ability to lead student achievement (Uploaded in document area under Other in Web Admit portal).

  5. Three recommendations – one from the applicant’s principal and two from supervisors attesting to the candidate’s leadership and management potential using the recommendation form (PDF) and emailed to: ceps@southalabama.edu.

  6. Resume (vita) with a reverse chronology of the candidate’s professional employment history, including dates and locations (uploaded within application).

  7. Narrative of candidate’s reasons for pursuing instructional leadership certification, including what the candidate expects from the preparation program (uploaded in document area under Personal Statement in Web Admit portal).

    To apply - click here to get to the Admissions login page.
▼   Admission Requirements for Option 3
  1. A master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education documented on an official transcript from degree granting institution.

    Official transcripts* can be sent by mail or electronically. Instructions can be found under “Help” on the application.

    *USA students applying to a USA graduate program in the College of Education and Professional Studies should complete a transcript request form (PDF) found on the University Registrar's Office website.

    In the Name/Organization field for the transcript recipient write, "USA Graduate School". There is no charge associated with this request. This option applies only to USA transcripts for students applying to USA graduate programs.

  2. A valid ALABAMA Class A Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area.

  3. A minimum of three full years of full-time, satisfactory professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience. Must be documented on ALSDE Supplemental Experience Form (PDF) requested from Human Resources in your past/present employing school system.

    Mail to: 
    University of South Alabama
    College of Education and Professional Studies
    UCOM 3360
    75 S. University Blvd.
    Mobile, AL 36688-0002

  4. Completed copy (all forms) of the most recent performance appraisal to include the professional development component and evidence of ability to lead student achievement (Uploaded in document area under Other in Web Admit portal).

  5. Three recommendations – one from the applicant’s principal and two from supervisors attesting to the candidate’s leadership and management potential using the recommendation form (PDF) and emailed to: ceps@southalabama.edu.

  6. Resume (vita) with a reverse chronology of the candidate’s professional employment history, including dates and locations (uploaded within application).

  7. Narrative of candidate’s reasons for pursuing instructional leadership certification, including what the candidate expects from the preparation program (uploaded in document area under Personal Statement in Web Admit portal).

    To apply - click here to get to the Admissions login page.
▼   Programs Coordinator

Dr. Benterah Morton
251-380-2765
morton@southalabama.edu