Master of Education in Educational Leadership
Department
Department of Educational Leadership and Technology
College
Office of Research and Graduate Studies and the College of Education and Human Development
Overview of the program
The Southeastern Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program is cohort-based and designed to provide the essential foundation for school administrators to assume the role of instructional leaders for effective school improvement. It is comprised of a sequential, combination of seminars and practica that follows a logical, integrated approach to developing an understanding of the forces of leadership necessary for effective schooling.
Total semester hours required: 36
Strengths of the program
The strengths of the Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree program includes:
- Field Experiences:
Students will practice and demonstrate knowledge, skills and dispositions learned in the program by completing fieldwork experiences built into each seminar and occurring in diverse educational settings. Field experiences, part of the sustained internship as defined by ELCC, will be integrated into the curricular seminars and will be completed under the direction of university faculty and school district personnel.
- Internship:
The sequence of seminars will terminate with a final internship experience that is a culmination of the fieldwork experiences that occurred in each previous seminar. The experiences will involve direct interaction and involvement with students, staff, parents, and community leaders over an extended period of time.
- Portfolio:
Students will develop and defend an electronic Professional School Leader Portfolio as a culminating project. The portfolio will be designed to promote professional growth, demonstrate knowledge, skills, and dispositions, and prepare candidates for an interview by requiring them to articulate beliefs, skills, and strengths.
- Cohort:
The cohort concept provides the opportunity for students to participate in the type of collegial and group processes that model the creation of learning communities in schools.
Preparing for a job in the program
Those who successfully complete the 36-hour degree program and the School Leaders' Licensure Examination will be eligible for School Leader certification by the Louisiana State Department of Education.
Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)
In 2002, elementary and secondary school administrators had median annual earnings of $71,490; postsecondary school administrators had median annual earnings of $64,640, while preschool and childcare center administrators earned a median of $33,340 per year. Salaries of education administrators depend on several factors, including the location and enrollment level in the school or school district. According to a survey of public schools, conducted by the Educational Research Service, average salaries for principals and assistant principals in the 2002-03 school year were as follows:
- Directors, managers, coordinators, and supervisors, finance and business - $81,451
- Principals:
- Elementary school - $75,291
- Jr. high/middle school - $80,708
- Senior high school - $86,452
- Assistant principals:
- Elementary school - $62,230
- Jr. high/middle school - $67,288
- Senior high school - $70,874
According to the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, median annual salaries for selected administrators in higher education in 2001-02 were as follows:
- Academic deans:
- Business - $107,414
- Graduate programs - $100,391
- Education - $100,227
- Arts and sciences - $98,780
- Health-related professions - $89,234
- Nursing - $88,386
- Continuing education - $84,457
- Occupational or vocational education - $73,595
- Other administrators:
- Dean of students - $70,012
- Director, admissions and registrar - $61,519
- Director, student financial aid - $57,036
- Director, annual giving - $49,121
- Director, student activities - $41,050
Benefits for education administrators are generally very good. Many get 4 or 5 weeks vacation every year and have generous health and pension packages. Many colleges and universities offer free tuition to employees and their families.
How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program
Students desiring to pursue a Master of Education in Educational Leadership must initially satisfy all Southeastern Louisiana University graduate admission requirements and present a portfolio composed of the following:
- A copy of the applicant's letter of acceptance from the Southeastern Louisiana University Office of Graduate Admissions;
- A letter of application which should include the applicant's reasons for selecting this particular career option;
- A curriculum vita (resume) including applicant's full name, address, telephone number(s), e-mail address, student identification number (W#), academic preparation, prior related work and leadership experiences, degrees held, honors, awards, special interests, and other appropriate information;
- A completed referral form from a school official who can attest to the applicant's leadership potential and likelihood of success in the program;
- Verification of a minimum 2.5 cumulative undergraduate grade point average (transcripts must be sent to Office of Graduate Admissions);
- Documentation of the Graduate Record Examination and, using a determinant of 200 times the undergraduate GPA, plus the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE, a minimum score of 1350;
- A valid teaching certificate;
- Verification of a minimum of three successful years of teaching experience in either public or private schools;
- An autobiographical narrative showing evidence of life experiences and personal maturity consistent with program expectations for entry into a professional training program in Educational Leadership.
The complete admissions portfolio is to be presented to the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Educational Leadership and Technology by the date specified in the General Catalogue.
Contact Information
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
SLU Box 10809
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: Mead Hall, Room 103
Telephone: 985-549-2103
Fax: 985-549-3605
E-mail: gradschool@selu.edu
Dr. Edith Slaton, Graduate Coordinator
Cate Teacher Education Center, Room 1004
E-mail: eslaton@selu.edu
Telephone: 985-549-5713
Department of Educational Leadership and Technology
SLU Box 10549
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: Cate Teacher Education Center, Room 1004
Telephone: 985-549-5713
