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. Submit evidence of a valid and current Illinois certificate.  (Printouts from the Illinois Educator Certification System - ECS website will suffice)
5. 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 12 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. 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.
7. 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
   10. Problem solving skills
8. In addition to the submission of the application packet and portfolio, candidates will be evaluated on the results of the following two (2) virtual 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.
9. At least two departmental faculty members 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.
10. 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.        

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.

 

Time Limit

---

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