Master’s Degree in Educational Administration
Designed with the needs for flexibility, convenience and educational quality that working professionals like you demand, the online Master’s of Educational Administration concentrates on the practical needs and challenges faced by today’s educational leaders and institutions. 

The major emphasis of the Educational Administration Program is Focused on Student Learning, Technology-Infused, and Personalized Relationships.   This new and innovative program includes Action-oriented Research with Clinical Experiences Integrated throughout the curriculum.  

Blended Approach to Course Delivery
This program utilizes a blended approach for course delivery incorporating Blackboard, a sophisticated yet easy-to-use online course platform and desktop-to-desktop virtual conferencing for one-to-one and small group discussions.  Although you will participate in class from wherever you are in Kansas and beyond, you will be surprised at how quickly you develop an online community of learners and how rich the learning experience can be from home. 

Program at a Glance

• Twelve-Course (36 credit hour) Program

  A program of 36 semester hours of graduate study shall include credit in each of the following core areas:

  • EAC 803 Education Research
  • EAC 850 School Law
  • EAC 851 Supervision and Evaluation of School Personnel
  • EAC 854 Educational Finance
  • EAC 855 Educational Leadership
  • EAC 856 School-Community Relations
  • EAC 859 Curriculum Planning & Evaluation (PK-12)
  • EAC 875 Seminar in Education II: Critical Topics
  • EAC 875 Seminar in Education II: Data Analysis and Assessment
  • EAC 875 Seminar in Education II: Introduction to School Administration
  • EAC 875 Seminar in Education II: Special Education for School Leaders
  • EAC 879 Practicum in Education II: Building Leader (Principal)

  NOTE: For completion of the Building Leadership Licensure Program non-degree applicants may transfer the equivalent of nine (9) hours with approval from the program faculty. Non-degree applicants will need to complete the remaining twenty-seven (27) hours from FHSU to receive an institutional verification from Fort Hays State University for a Building Leadership License.

• Online Learning Environment

  This program utilizes a blended approach for course delivery incorporating Blackboard, a sophisticated yet easy-to-use online course platform and desktop-to-desktop virtual conferencing for one-to-one and small group discussions.

• Program Completion in 18-24 Months

  Courses are offered in the Fall semester (August-December); Spring semester (January-May); and Summer semester (June-July).  By enrolling in two courses each semester you will complete your degree in 24 months. Course Offerings: www.fhsu.edu/aep/edad/degree.html

• Technology Infused throughout the Curriculum

  Although you will participate in class from wherever you are in Kansas and beyond, you will be surprised at how quickly you develop an online community of learners and how rich the learning experience can be from home. 

• Promotes Reflection and Critical Thinking

  Our program promotes personalized learning through small class sizes and ample opportunities to engage with your instructor personally as well as close monitoring, guidance and advisement from a personal academic advisor.  You will have frequent structured opportunities to conduct personal reflection and performance assessment dealing with “real-life” applications.

• Authentic Learning Experiences with Real Life Application

  According to Reality Check 2006 by Education Insights, school principals must now act as  “academic leaders and change agents who should be held accountable for increasing student learning overall and especially for improving academic achievement among minority and at-risk students” (p.2).  Our curriculum will prepare you to effectively lead schools with a focus on increasing student learning and achievement.

• Focus on Action Research, Best Practices,  and Case Study Approach

  Action research is “learning by doing” where you identify a problem, do something to resolve it, see how successful your efforts were, and if not satisfied, try again.  The primary purpose of action research is turning people into involved researchers.  People learn best and more willingly apply what they have learned, when they do it themselves.  This research takes place in real world situation and aims to solve problems in the real world of schools.

• Clinical Experiences Embedded in Each Course

  Clinical experiences are integrated in each course with authentic learning experiences that incorporate on-the-job, practical realities of the principal’s work. The clinical experiences provide opportunities for participants to experience firsthand the multi-faceted role of being a school leader.

• NCATE Accredited and Aligned with the ISLLC Standards

  The Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE).  The program’s curriculum is aligned with The Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium’s (ISLLC) national standards. 

  Principal Licensure
  Upon completion of this program you will be eligible to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) test for building leadership licensure as a school principal.  As a graduate of our educational leadership program you will be prepared for a position as a principal, assistant principal, director or program coordinator in public and private schools.  Since state licensing requirements vary from state to state, additional requirements for these positions will depend on the requirements of your state department of education.

Are you ready to accept the challenge of being an “Ethical Leader of Learning?” If so, then come and experience school leadership with us at Fort Hays State University!

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