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

Education, School Leadership, M.A.


The Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in School Leadership is for experienced teachers ready to expand their leadership opportunities outside of the traditional classroom. This 39-credit program includes extensive preparation for school administration and a sequence of courses and
activities planned to guide the candidates in developing the knowledge and skills required of principals and supervisors. A year-long, 6-credit internship with monthly seminars provides candidates with opportunities to apply their knowledge and continue to improve their abilities to function as effective, caring school leaders.

Students seeking a Master of Arts in this concentration area must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level, K-8 or 7-12) and a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying. (Elementary grades: K-8; Secondary grades: 7-12). 

Students certified to teach at the elementary level should enroll in the elementary school leadership program, and students certified in a subject taught in high school should enroll in the secondary school leadership program. Persons wishing to become certified in administration at a level different from their teaching certification area will need to add the appropriate teaching credential and consult the graduate advisor for the course(s) needed in school leadership. Persons holding valid teaching credentials in both elementary and secondary may select either elementary or secondary school leadership.

To complete this program, students must show evidence of a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II exam.

Master of Arts in Education


Master of Arts programs are designed primarily for certified teachers. Individuals seeking initial teacher certification  will be required to complete undergraduate courses which will not apply toward the master’s degree.

Admission Criteria

Students seeking admission to a Master of Arts program must have:

  • earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in the United States or a teacher education program recognized by the South Carolina Board of Education with a GPA of no less than 2.75 (3.0 preferred)
  • satisfactorily completed an accredited program of initial teacher certification

and, must submit:

  • a graduate admissions application, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
  • two professional recommendations and Dispositions Assessment Evaluation by persons familiar with the candidate’s teaching (e.g. principal, assistant principal, immediate supervisor)
  • a copy of their current teaching certificate
  • official transcripts from each higher education institution previously attended

 

Currently enrolled Furman undergraduates pursuing teaching certification, who have satisfactorily completed all senior block courses including the practicum experience, eligible to enroll in EDEP-670 Teaching Internship , may gain provisional graduate admission for study in summer session prior to the completion of the teaching internship and initial licensure attainment.  Successful completion of all senior block courses is required before students will be allowed to enroll in graduate level courses.

International Degree Candidates Initial Admission

Any applicant who is a non-U.S. citizen wishing to attend Furman University Graduate Studies programs as a degree- or non-degree seeking student is considered an international applicant. All international applicants are required to have transcripts from any non-U.S. institutions evaluated by a credentialing service.  All applications, fees, documents, and requirements must be submitted online through our secure admissions site to Graduate Studies.   Official GRE General Test Score(s) should be submitted to Graduate Studies directly from ETS. 

Visa Information

Anyone already issued a valid U.S. visa (H-type or J-type), or a Permanent Residency Card, must submit copies of these documents as part of the application process. If an international applicant is seeking a student visa (F-1), the process for applying for this status will be addressed by the Dean of International Admission.

Application Deadlines for International Applicants

Fall: March 15
Spring: August 15
Summer: January 15

It is important to note that if your program’s deadline is prior to the international deadline, you should have your materials in by the earlier deadline.

English Language Proficiency

All applicants whose primary language is not English must submit appropriate scores from either TOEFL or IELTS. All international graduate applicants must present one of the following as part of their online application: a TOEFL score of at least 577 on the paper-based test (pbt) or 90 on the internet-based test (ibt) or an IELTS score of at least 7.5.   Applicants who take the TOEFL or IELTS must have the official score report sent to Graduate Studies directly from the testing service. 

Applicants who have an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. institution are eligible to waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.  Program directors may also petition Graduate Studies to waive this requirement on an individual basis.

Furman Department of Education-specific requirements:

Applicants without a state of SC-issued teaching license, including but not limited to international applicants, must submit documentation (i.e. letter from an administrator, official transcript, etc.) indicating previous preparation and/or experience as a classroom teacher. International students without a valid SC teaching license are not eligible for initial or add-on licensure at program completion.

Program Continuation

Admitted graduate degree candidates must meet with an advisor in Graduate Studies to plan a preliminary program and will be assigned a faculty contact person.

Continuation in a program leading to the award of the Master of Arts requires:

  • successful completion of 9 graduate credits with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater. 
  • Admission to Candidacy Form with program coordinator’s signature

Students earning a grade of C+, C, or C- in one of the first three courses in a program prior to Admission to Candidacy or a student with a cumulative GPA less than 3.00 must meet with the program coordinator and the Executive Director of Graduate & Evening Studies.

After Admission to degree candidacy, all students in a program must:

  • maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or greater and meet final grade requirements   
  • demonstrate satisfactory content knowledge, pedagogical skills, and dispositions related to national standards established by the Specialty Professional Association (SPA) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
  • resolve any event or concern where an instructor, program coordinator, and/or the Executive Director of Graduate & Evening Studies has reason to believe a degree candidate has acted in violation of department mission

Program Completion/Degree Audit

A graduate degree candidate must submit a Program Completion form/Degree Audit Form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies with his/her program coordinator’s signature.  The Office of Graduate Studies will audit the form to ensure that required courses have been completed and that the candidate has maintained a 3.00 GPA for the sequence of courses.  This form should be completed by the fall registration deadline for those students planning to graduate at the end of spring term.  For those graduating at the end of Summer II, this form is due by the spring registration deadline.

Program Completion/Graduation

The graduate degree candidate will complete the Intent to Graduate Form and return it to the Office of Graduate Studies, along with the Program Completion/Degree Audit Form, prior to the conclusion of registration for the semester before the final term of enrollment. Graduate Studies will confirm all degree requirements have been successfully completed by each candidate. Failure to submit these documents in a timely fashion may require a late fee and may also delay the award of the degree.

Candidates for graduation must also show a passing score on appropriate Praxis II content exam.

 

Quick Step Guide to the Master of Arts  

  • Preliminary Conference with Graduate Studies
  • Application/fee/transcript/recommendations/teaching certificate (GS1)
  • Acceptance/Official conference with Graduate Studies (GS2)
  • Admission to Candidacy (GS3)
  • Program Completion/Degree Audit (GS4), begin practicum/internship
  • Intent to Graduate Form (GS5), complete EDFD-879 Masters Seminar in Education  
  • Passing score on appropriate Praxis II exam
  • GRADUATION

Course requirements for the specific concentration:

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP (39 credits)


and, a capstone experience (3 credits)


Notes:


All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience.   Passing score on PRAXIS area exam is required to be recommended for both the degree and licensure.

Additionally, in order to gain SC licensure in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level license; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership:  Administration and Supervision subtest; and have a minimum of three years teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying.