In addition to the criteria established for general admission to graduate studies, applicants must have the following: 

• A graduate GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale 
• A master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The master’s degree must be appropriate to the student’s educational objective. If not, the student will be required to take additional graduate work before regular admission is granted. 
• A valid professional teaching certificate 

In addition, international applicants must have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 OR TOEFL score of 95. This requirement is for non- United States citizens who are not native English speakers. Students from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are exempt from English proficiency verification. 

Probationary Admission 

Probationary admission will be considered when the applicant presents a GPA that is less than 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The admissions committee may permit the student to take nine hours in the program area. The student will be required to achieve a 3.66 GPA with a minimum grade of ‘B’ in each course. 

Choose One of the Following Specialty Tracks:

Superintendency:

•  EA707 Personnel Management in Education (3) 
• EA709 Leadership and Communications (3) 
• EA710 Leading District Improvement (3) 
• EA737 Administration of Curriculum (3) 
• EA743 Data for Continuous Improvement (3) 
• EA755 Ethics, Law, and Policy (3) 
• EA756 Financial Management and Leadership (3) 
• EA760 Internship I: Specialist Level (3) 
• EA761 Internship II: Specialist Level (3) 
• EA785 School Plant Planning and Operation (3) 
• GR799 Education Specialist Oral Examination (0) 

Advanced Principalship

Required Courses

• EA707 Personnel Management and Leadership (3) 
• EA709 Leadership and Communications (3) 
• EA710 Leading District Improvement (3) 
• EA737 Administration of Curriculum (3) 
• EA743 Data for Continuous Improvement (3) 
• EA755 Ethics, Law, and Policy (3) 
• EA756 Financial Management and Leadership (3) 
• EA785 School Plant Planning and Operation (3) 

Choose 6 hours from the following:

• EA718 Instructional Leadership Strategies (3) 
• EA722 Equity in Educational Leadership Practices (3) 
• EA727 Curriculum Development and Alignment (3) 

NOTE: All prerequisites must be completed before any 700 level classes. Prerequisites are the courses required for principal certification.

• EX390 Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child
• EA625 Foundations of Educational Administration
• EA630 Elementary Administration
  OR
• EA635 Secondary Administration
• EA634 Supervision
• EA653 Curriculum for Educational Leaders
• EA646 and 656 Elementary Internship I and Internship II
  OR
• EA647 and EA657 Secondary Internship I and Internship II
• EA651 School Law
• EA655 School Business/Facilities Management/Public Relations
• EA660 Administration and Supervision of Special Education
• GR691 Methods of Research

The Specialist degree in School Administration is a 30-hour program that prepares candidates for certification as a superintendent (K-12), career principal (K-8/7-12), and career special education director (K- 12). For students entering the program with a masters’ degree in school administration, only the 30 hours of core courses are required, and the program can be completed in five semesters including the summer. All courses are taught online with the 6 hours of internship conducted in the student’s school district. 

For students who enter the program with a masters’ degree other than school administration, the advisor will determine the required prerequisite courses. All 600 level prerequisite courses can be taken online. For initial principal certification, Missouri requires a degree in administration. This means that a student must complete the prerequisites and the specialist degree before applying for the initial principal certificate. 

Students who have one year of experience as a building level principal or special education director and do not desire the superintendent certificate may opt out of the internship. They would substitute two other courses for the 6 hours of credit. Students should discuss this option with their advisor.