Educational Administration

Ted Kalmus, MPA, Program Director

Overview

The Educational Administration and Leadership program develops school and organizational leaders grounded in integrity, critical theory, a rigor of practice, and a commitment to service. Designed for working professionals, the Educational Administration master’s degree attracts aspiring K-12 administrators and organizational leaders who are passionate about making a difference and who see themselves as change agents in pursuit of excellence for schools and learning.

This cohort degree program offers the option for principal or program administrator certification and may be completed in six quarters, beginning in the spring and ending the following summer. Leadership internships are customized for each student, and targeted to the type of schools, districts or organizations they want to work in.

Field Experience

All students must complete field experience at sites selected cooperatively by the student and major advisor. All students, whether in public, charter, independent online schools, participate in a full-year internship, which can be completed concurrently with some professional responsibilities.

Certification

Persons serving as principals and program administrators in public or private schools shall hold certificates authorized by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) for service in the respective roles as required by statute or rules of the PESB. The university recommends for certification a student who has successfully completed an approved program to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, which issues the appropriate certificate.

• Residency Certificate
  
  State requirements for the administrative credentials include possession of a valid teacher’s certificate (principal only) or valid educational staff associate certificate and documented successful school-based experience in an instructional role with students; completion of a master’s degree; and completion of an approved preparation program. The residency certificate is valid for five years.
   
• Professional Certificate
  
  The Professional Educator Standards Board is in the process of determining whether to continue the requirement of a Professional Certificate. In its deliberation, the PESB has suspended this as a requirement. Until the PESB announces a decision, this option will not be offered after the 2016-2017 academic year.

Washington State Requirements for Post-Master’s Certification

• Completion of a master’s degree
• Completion of a state approved administrator preparation program
• Submission of fingerprints for a background check is required, if a valid certificate is not already on record

Additional Requirements for Principal Certification Only

• Hold or have previously held a regular teacher, educational staff associate or Initial/Continuing CTE Certificate
• Verification of three years of successful school-based instructional experience in an educational setting

Admission Requirements for the Master of Education (MEd) Program

• Application for Graduate Admission with non-refundable $55 application fee. (Note: fee waived through fall 2022)  
• Four-year equivalent bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum GPA of 3.00 calculated from transcripts of all post-secondary educational institutions attended in the last 90 quarter/60 semester credits of the bachelor’s degree, including transfer credit earned during this time, and any post-baccalaureate course work. Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA are required to submit official scores from the GRE or the MAT by the application deadline.
• Résumé reflecting at least one year’s successful relevant work experience. For those interested in pursuing a Washington state principal’s certification, three years of classroom and/or administrative experience is required.
• Two recommendations from supervisors within past five years using College of Education Recommendation forms
• Interview with the program director with an on-site writing sample
• College of Education Self-Evaluation form

E-portfolio

Satisfactory performance of an e-portfolio is required to complete degree.

Admission Requirements for Post-Master’s Principal or Program Administrator Credentials

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Equivalent course work from that degree can apply to the certification requirements. Interested applicants should contact the Educational Administration Program Director for specific requirements.
• Résumé reflecting at least one year’s successful relevant work experience
• Two recommendations from supervisors within past five years using College of Education Recommendation forms
• Interview with the program director with an on-site writing sample
• College of Education Self-Evaluation form

Programs

• Post Master’s Certification/Principal or Program Administrator

• Master of Education/Educational Administration with Principal or Program Administrator Certification