Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 EIU Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 EIU Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Educational Leadership


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Master of Science in Education Program : The Department of Educational Leadership offers a Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership for individuals interested in moving into leadership roles in PK-12 schools. Degree completion meets the course requirements necessary for the Teacher Leader Endorsement on an individual’s Illinois Educator’s License. The program offers three tiers of study from which students may select a plan of study.

Tier 1 Degree Mission: The Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Tier 1 Degree mission meets the 2 professional goals described below:The first professional goal is to earn the Teacher Leaders Endorsement on the Illinois Educator’s License.  The Tier 1 Program provides the courses and experiences required for leadership roles in PK-12 schools.  Candidates who complete the Tier 1 Program and do not seek admission to the Master of Science in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option will meet the course requirements necessary for the Teacher Leader Endorsement on the Illinois Educator’s License. The second professional goal of the Tier 1 Degree Program is to complete the course prerequisites for admission to the Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option.  The Tier 1 Program provides the initial 18 hours of courses required to apply for admission to the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option.  Candidates who meet the admission requirements for the Tier 2 Degree Option and successfully complete the Tier 2 Degree Option requirements will earn both the Teacher Leaders Endorsement on the Illinois Educator’s License and the Illinois State Board of Education Principal Endorsement credential.   Many courses for the Tier 1 Program and the Tier 2 Option are offered at night and weekends on-campus and at off-campus locations via the School of Continuing Education.

Tier 2 Degree Option Mission: The Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option meets the professional goal of earning both the Teacher Leaders Endorsement on the Illinois Educator’s License and the Illinois State Board of Education Principal Endorsement.  Candidates seeking the Principal Endorsement should apply to the Master of Science in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option after successful completion of a minimum of 18 semester hours in the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Program Tier 1 Degree Program.  Candidates must provide evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application.  Admission to the Tier 2 Degree Option is not guaranteed.  Applicants must meet the additional admission requirements outlined for the Tier 2 Degree Option.  Many courses for the Tier 2 Degree Option are offered at night and weekends on-campus and at off-campus locations via the School of Continuing Education.

Tier 3 Non-degree Sequence Mission: The Principal Endorsement Tier 3 Non-degree Sequence meets the professional goal of earning Illinois State Board of Education Principal Endorsement for candidates who have already completed the Master of Science in Educational Leadership program but have not earned the Principal Endorsement credential. 

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.

Tier 1 Degree Requirements


Tier 1 Degree Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy in the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Program or Tier I Program, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”). In addition, candidates must complete all components of the Tier I Program application process.  The Tier I Program application process requires the following:

  1. Completion of the Departmental Admission Application.
  2. Evidence of a cumulative undergraduate GPA from a regionally accredited four-year college or university of 3.00 (2.75 for provisional admission) on a 4.0 scale or 3.00 (2.75 for provisional admission) on the last 60 hours of coursework. (This documentation will come along with the Graduate School Application and copies of your transcripts)
  3. Submission of a writing sample demonstrating experience and interest in leadership. (Candidates must type a writing sample and submit it to the department as part of their application)
  4. Completion of the HUMANeX Ventures Leadership Profiler on-line. (The link will be sent to  candidates after admission into the Graduate School)
  5. Submit evidence of a valid and current Illinois certificate.  (Printouts from the Illinois Educator Certification System - ECS website will suffice)
  6. Submit evidence showing two years of full-time teaching experience or two years’ experience in another certificated area.  Full-time is defined by the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/24-11.   (Printouts from the Illinois Educator Certification System - ECS website will suffice or submission of a letter from your Human Resource Office)   

Note:   Candidates will be reviewed for admission using the Tier I Assessment Rubric

All requirements for the degree must be completed within the six-year time limit.

Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option Requirements


Tier 2 Degree Option Admission Requirements

To be granted admission into the Tier 2 Degree Option candidates must complete all components of the Tier 2 application process.  The Tier 2 application process requires the following:

  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 18 semester hours in the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Program.
  2. Evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Program. 
  3. Evidence of a valid and current Illinois teaching certificate (e.g., early childhood, elementary, secondary, special K-12, or special preschool-age 21 certificates).
  4. Evidence of a passing score on the test of basic skills or the test of academic proficiency (TAP) if the candidate had not been required to take the test for receipt of his or her Illinois teaching certificate.
  5. Submit evidence showing four (4) years fulltime teaching experience will be completed by the end of the Principal Endorsement Program. Fulltime is defined by the Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/24-11.
  6. Complete the HUMANeX Ventures Leadership Profiler on-line.  
  7. Letter of support from an immediate supervisor indicating the candidate’s viability to pursue the program as well as a completed assessment of the candidate’s leadership potential. Click here for assessment.
  8. Submission of a portfolio that presents evidence of a candidate’s proficiency as a teacher in each of the following categories:
    1. Support for all students achieving high standards of learning
    2. Accomplished classroom instruction, which shall include data providing evidence of two years of student growth and learning within the last five years
    3. Evaluations of teaching abilities from supervisors that attest to students” academic growth.
    4. Significant leadership roles in past positions
    5. Strong oral and written communication skills
    6. Analytic abilities needed to collect and analyze data for student improvement.
    7. Demonstrated respect for family and community
    8. Strong interpersonal skills; and
    9. Knowledge of curriculum and instructional practices.
  9. In addition to the submission of the application packet and portfolio, candidates will be evaluated on the results of the following three on-site activities:
    1. Interview including Portfolio Presentation and Discussion:  Each candidate will discuss highlights of his/her portfolio in a personal 30 - 45 minute interview conducted by two full time faculty members.
    2.  Written Response to a Leadership Scenario:  Each candidate will be given 30 minutes to write a response to a leadership scenario.   Possible leadership scenarios include: Introducing to faculty the development of a new teacher evaluation process; sharing with staff, parents, and students plans to reduce the school budget; describing to the Board and/or community plans to employ and implement the Common Core Standards; assessing student perspectives related to school climate or other scenarios presented by faculty.
    3. Group Observation/Problem Solving Scenario: The purpose is to assess how well the candidate interacts and works with others.   20 minutes.   Three to four 
      candidates simulate an administrative team meeting. Possible planning/problem-solving scenarios include:  Planning a data retreat; developing a process for budget 
      reductions; preparing for a parent advocacy group meeting (special education, gifted, etc.); preparing for a meeting with representatives from the teachers union to discuss concerns related to time demands. (RtI, curriculum work, etc.).
  10. At least two departmental faculty members along with representatives from the Partners Advisory Council will review the candidates completed application to include their portfolio, Tier I program performance, and their Written Scenario responses.  Reviewers will utilize the Departmental Application Assessment Rubric to assess the candidates overall qualifications for admission into the program.  All reviews will be conducted at least two weeks prior to the scheduled interview with the candidate.
  11. Each candidate must submit a letter from the school district’s superintendent showing approval for their school to participate in Eastern Illinois University’s Principal Endorsement Program.  The letter of approval must indicate the willingness of the school district to provide a site for the candidate to pursue all necessary clinical work including the internship under the guidance of a qualified site based administrative mentor.        

Curriculum for the Master of Science in Education in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Degree Option


Degree requirements include those outlined for the master of science in education degree by the Graduate School (see “Requirements for the Master of Science in Education Degree”).  Additional requirements include those listed below.

Foundations Courses:

Principal Endorsement Courses


Principal Endorsement Courses:

Practicum in School Leadership


  • Practicum provides the student with extended time to synthesize and apply the knowledge, and practice and develop the skills identified in ISLLC Standards 1-6. The Practicum provides for additional standards-based work in real settings, planned and guided cooperatively by a practicing school administrator and a university professor.
  • Passage of the state’s Principal Certification Test is required prior to beginning the Practicum.


Prerequisite for Practicum:  Candidates must have completed all core courses in the M.S. in Education in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Option or obtain permission of the Chair or Internship Coordinator, and have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Candidates are required to conduct, complete and present an Action Research project prior to receiving the M.S. in Education in Educational Leadership Principal Endorsement Tier 2 Option degree. The Practicum (EDL 5891, 5892 and 5893) requires 250 hours or practical experience over the course of a calendar year in P‐12 school settings under the supervision of school administrators and a university supervisor as prescribed by IBHE rules.

Tier 3 Non-degree Sequence Admission Requirements


To be eligible applicants must meet the requirements for non-degree admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Non-Degree Study”). In addition, candidates must provide evidence of a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application and must meet the additional admission requirements outlined for the Tier 2 Degree Option.  Following admission, candidates complete the Principal Endorsement Sequence as non-degree graduate students. 

 

Students in non-degree study options are not eligible for most forms of financial aid or graduate assistantships.  Students are advised to discuss other restrictions that may apply with program advisors.

 

Curriculum for the Principal Endorsement Tier 3 Non-degree Sequence


Principal Endorsement Courses:

Practicum in School Leadership


  • Practicum provides the student with extended time to synthesize and apply the knowledge, and practice and develop the skills identified in ISLLC Standards 1-6. The Practicum provides for additional standards-based work in real settings, planned and guided cooperatively by a practicing school administrator and a university professor.
  • Passage of the state’s Principal Certification Test is required prior to beginning the Practicum.

 

Time Limit


All requirements for the degree must be completed within the six-year time limit.

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