A Master of Arts degree (30 semester hours) in educational leadership leading to Alabama Class A Instructional Leader certification provides students with initial certification in Alabama for Instructional Leadership in P-12 schools. The coursework provides students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures in the field of instructional leadership. Candidates learn to work with students, families, and communities in ways that reflect the professionalism and expertise expected of educational leaders. The program content is consistent with state and national standards. A reduced-hour option to earn Class A Instructional Leader certification is available for applicants who qualify.
An Overseas master's degree program in Educational Leadership is available to overseas students. The Overseas program does not lead to professional licensure or certification.
The Graduate Catalog is published annually. For certification programs, State-approved program checklists may be updated more frequently and are thus likely to provide the most up-to date information about requirements. A current program checklist may be obtained from the program office. Students should consult their advisors each semester before registering.
Admissions
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Admission requirements for the MA in Educational Leadership with Class A Instructional Leader certification
Applicants must earn regular admission to the Instructional Leadership program. In addition to meeting admission requirements of the Graduate School and the College of Education, applicants must meet the following additional requirements for admission to the Educational Leadership/MA program leading to Class A Instructional Leader certification:
- a valid Alabama Class B professional educator certificate in a teaching field or a valid Alabama Class A professional educator certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area,
- Experience Option One: a minimum of three full years (or six full semesters) of full-time, acceptable professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience,
OR
Experience Option Two: Alabama Class A certification as a library media specialist or school counselor, seven full years of full-time employment, in the same school system, as a library media specialist or school counselor in a P-12 setting if admitted Spring 2022 or thereafter,
- the submission of a portfolio before the interview,
- an application to the educational leadership department,
- passing an interview conducted by the program committee, and
- submission of a writing sample
The application portfolio must include:
a. three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the applicant's principal or direct supervisor; applicants applying under Experience Option Two must provide a written recommendation from the current employing superintendent
b. a completed copy (all forms) of the most recent performance evaluation including the professional development component, if available
c. a copy of the candidate's professional development transcript from PowerSchool
d. evidence of ability to improve student achievement
e. evidence of collaborative leadership potential [This should include any formal and informal leadership role(s) held.]
f. a summary of the candidate's reasons for pursuing the certification in instructional leadership
g. a summary of what the candidate expects from the certification program
h. a current resume
Applicants must also meet the fingerprinting requirement for background clearance.
Admission to the Graduate School is not equivalent to "unconditional admission" to a state-approved educator preparation program.
Admission Requirements for the Reduced-Hour Option leading to Class A Instructional Leader (certification only)
Applicants must earn regular admission to the Instructional Leadership program. Individuals holding a valid, Alabama Class A professional educator certificate may apply for admission to the reduced-hour option to pursue certification only.
Minimum requirements include:
- a valid Alabama Class A professional educator certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area,
- a minimum of three full years (or six full semesters) of full-time, acceptable professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience,
- Experience Option One: a minimum of three full years of full-time, acceptable professional educational experience in a P-12 setting, which must include at least one full year of full-time P-12 classroom teaching experience,
OR
Experience Option Two: Alabama Class A certification as a library media specialist or school counselor, seven full years of full-time employment, in the same school system, as a library media specialist or school counselor in a P-12 setting if admitted Spring 2022 or thereafter,
- a graduate GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale,
- submission of a portfolio before participation in the assessment process, which will include an interview, and
- submission of a writing sample.
The application portfolio must include:
a. three letters of recommendation, one of which must be from the applicant's principal or direct supervisor; applicants applying under Experience Option Two must provide a written recommendation from the current employing superintendent
b. a completed copy (all forms) of the most recent performance evaluation including the professional development component, if available
c. a copy of the candidate's professional development transcript from PowerSchool
d. evidence of ability to improve student achievement
e. evidence of collaborative leadership potential [This should include any formal and informal leadership role(s) held.]
f. a summary of the candidate's reasons for pursuing the certification in instructional leadership
g. a summary of what the candidate expects from the certification program
h. a current resume
Applicants to the reduced-hour option must also meet the fingerprinting requirement for background clearance.
Admission to the Graduate School is not equivalent to "unconditional admission" to a state-approved educator preparation program.
Admission Requirements for the Non-Certification Overseas Program for Educational Leadership, MA
To be considered for regular admission to an International Programs graduate program in the College of Education, a student must meet the minimum Graduate School admission requirements
Curricular Requirements
MA in Educational Leadership with Class A Instructional Leader certification
Individuals must meet ALSDE requirements for "unconditional admission" before enrolling in ANY instructional leadership courses in the program.
This course listing applies to those who begin this program June 1, 2017. A minimum of 30 hrs of appropriate graduate work, successful completion of a comprehensive exam, and passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment are required. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
| Educational Leadership, MA (Class A Instructional Leader) | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations of Professional Studies: | ||
| (Choose ONE of these SDE approved diversity courses.) | 3 | |
| History Of Amer Educn | ||
| Sociology Of Education | ||
| Multicultural Education | ||
| Found Educn Through Film | ||
| Readings In Soc Of Ed | ||
| Critical Race Theory In Educ | ||
| Multicult Soc Ed Leadershp | ||
| Ethics And Education | ||
| Educational Research: | ||
| BER 540 | Statistical Methods In Educ | 3 |
| Instructional Support Area: | ||
| AEL 520 | Leadership for Communities * | 3 |
| AEL 521 | Leadership for Improvement | 3 |
| AEL 522 | Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| AEL 523 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| AEL 524 | Ethics and Law | 3 |
| AEL 525 | Management | 3 |
| AEL 526 | Data Informed Decision Making | 3 |
| Internship: | 3 | |
| Internship in Educ Leadership | ||
| Additional Requirements: | ||
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 30-33 | |
* SDE-approved diversity course
Reduced-Hour Option leading to Class A Instructional Leader (certification only)
Individuals must meet ALSDE requirements for "unconditional admission" before enrolling in ANY instructional leadership courses in the program.
Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C. Successful completion of a comprehensive exam and passing scores on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment are required.
| Reduced-Hour Option for Class A Instructional Leader (certification only) | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AEL 520 | Leadership for Communities * | 3 |
| AEL 521 | Leadership for Improvement | 3 |
| AEL 523 | Human Resource Development | 3 |
| AEL 524 | Ethics and Law | 3 |
| AEL 525 | Management | 3 |
| Internship: | 3 | |
| Internship in Educ Leadership | ||
| SPE 500 is required if a special education survey course was not part of the undergraduate program or another graduate program. | 0-3 | |
| Total Hours | 18-21 | |
* SDE-approved diversity course
Non-Certification Overseas Program for Educational Leadership, MA
This is a non-certification program available only to overseas students. Completion of this program does not lead to professional licensure or certification.
A minimum of 30 hours of course credit must be earned, and a comprehensive exam must be successfully completed. Candidates must present a GPA of at least 3.25 on all courses in the program, with no grade below a C.
| Overseas Program Course Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Support Area | ||
| AEL 530 | Intro to Ed Leadership | 3 |
| AEL 531 | Evidence-based Decision Making | 3 |
| AEL 532 | Supervision and Mentoring | 3 |
| AEL 533 | Mngmt and Strategic Planning | 3 |
| AEL 534 | Leadership & Org Theory | 3 |
| AEL 535 | Leadership of Curr & Instruc. | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 18 | |
| Educational Research | ||
| BER 500 | Intro Educatn Research | 3 |
| Electives* (Select THREE 3-hour courses from the list below.) | 9 | |
| Eval Classroom Learning | ||
| History Of Amer Educn | ||
| Intro Exc Childr/Youth | ||
| Problems | ||
| Computer Based Instruction | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| * | Additional courses may be approved by the Office of International Programs. |
Transfer Credit
In compliance with regulations established by the Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Administrative Code, coursework used to meet Class B certification requirements may not be used to meet requirements for Class A certification.
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Comprehensive Exam
Students must complete a comprehensive assessment during their last semester of coursework. Assessment dates are announced in the first week of each semester. Assessment structure is based on each student’s course of study. Students will have a minimum of 14 calendar days to complete the assessment. Submissions are assessed by members of the program committee.
Graduate School information on Comprehensive Exams.
Fieldwork/Practicum/Internship Requirements
For certification programs, field experience objectives, including progression from observation through participation to leadership behaviors are embedded in each course and assessed by the faculty member of record for each course. This collaborative model requires that LEAs provide release time for candidates and for universities to work with LEAs so that the candidate’s experiences are comprehensive and valuable. The internship experiences are the total sum of practical experiences, either field or clinical, as part of every course taken for preparation, plus a residency. The residency is uninterrupted service in an active P-12 school with students present for the equivalent of ten full days. For students in the Class A Instructional Leader program, internships are coordinated through the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies.
Students enrolled in College of Education courses that require a clinical placement should obtain professional liability insurance. Professional liability insurance may be purchased through an independent insurer or is available to students who are members of the Student Alabama Education Association (SAEA).
Time Limits for Degree Completion
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Additional Academic Requirements
Electronic Learning Management System Requirement
A designated, electronic learning management system is required of all students in programs leading to professional educator certification.
Survey of Special Education Course
A survey of special education course is required. An individual who completed a survey of special education course prior to meeting requirements for unconditional admission to a Class A program on July 1, 2017, and thereafter, must take an approved course focused primarily on one of the following categories: methods of accommodating instruction to meet the needs of students with exceptionalities in inclusive settings, multicultural education, teaching English language learners, rural education, or urban education. A course used to meet this requirement for one level of certification may not be used to meet the requirement for a higher level of certification.
Praxis Requirement
For the Class A Instructional Leader program (MA and reduced-hour option), a passing score on the appropriate Praxis subject assessment is required for certification. This requirement does not apply to the Overseas program.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation
Information on the Application for Graduation.
Certification
To be awarded Alabama Class A Instructional Leader certification, students must:
- maintain a GPA of at least 3.25 (effective July 1, 2017) on all courses with no grade below a C,
- receive a passing score on a comprehensive assessment documenting mastery of the curriculum,
- successfully complete the internship and residency,
- receive a passing score on the required Praxis subject assessment,
- complete a survey of special education course (SPE 300 Survey Spe Accomd Stratg or SPE 500 Intro Exc Childr/Youth) or its equivalent.
All students must complete the proper application form for Alabama certification. Forms are available online through the Alabama State Department of Education. Applications should be submitted to Student Services in 104 Carmichael Hall at least one semester in advance of graduation. A student who does not apply for professional certification within 60 months after completing the state-approved program will be required to meet the current program. Students who plan to seek employment in other states must secure the proper professional licensure application forms from those states' departments of education.
The certification programs of the department have been designed to fulfill current requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education. The state requirements change from time to time and, accordingly, the department's requirements and programs are subject to change.
The associate dean for student services in the College of Education has been designated the teacher certification officer for the University. Students who need information about or assistance with certification should consult the associate dean for student services.
The Overseas program does not lead to professional certification.
Accepted graduate students are encouraged to apply for College of Education scholarships and scholarships offered through UA Online.
Graduate School information on Financial Assistance.