Educational Leadership and Administration, M.A.

Educational Leadership and Administration, M.A.: Higher Education Administration

Higher Education Administration Program (HEA):

The Higher Education Administration Program, which leads to a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership & Administration, is a 33-credit hour program designed to prepare individuals for entry and mid-level managerial or research positions offered at community, senior college, and university levels. This program is also intended to improve the skills of those individuals who currently serve in administrative positions at such institutions, as well as provide alternatives to those who would like to change their careers to enter the field of higher education administration.

Courses offered through this program provide practical hands-on experiences gained through internships at community colleges and universities, and aid candidates in gaining the knowledge and skills needed for employment opportunities in this field of study. Our students are actively engaged in educational research that increases their job opportunities in this interesting and exciting field of study.

Motivating, challenging, and engaging topics in our coursework promote lifetime learning. These topics consist of leadership and administration, analyzing policies, ethics, higher education law, evaluation, and more.

Careers

Upon completion of the program, individuals will receive a M.A. in Higher Education Administration, and will qualify for higher education administrative careers that may include the following job opportunities in the field of Higher Education: Academic Advising, Admissions and Enrollment, Adult Programs, Alumnus Associations and Services, Administration Assessment, Athletics and Coaching, Bursar and Student Accounts, Development and Fundraising, Distance Education Programs, Financial Aid, Human Resources, International Programs, Legal Affairs, Multicultural Affairs and Affirmative Action, Registrar, Residence Life and Housing, Program Director, Student Services Director and Curriculum Coordinator.

Application Procedure

To apply for admission to this program, candidates should go to: https://www.csu.edu/graduateschool/ and then follow the instructions provided on this homepage in submitting their application online. Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, (except CSU), are required. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at Chicago State University, (773) 995-2404 or graduateprograms@csu.edu

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the university’s general admission requirements, the applicant must:

1. Have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4-point grading scale). A 2.75 GPA is needed for conditional admission.
3. Provide (in the online application system) a written and concise statement of purpose, describing his/her academic and research background, career goals, and reason for applying to this degree
4. program. Please be specific in explaining how the course offerings and faculty expertise of this program fit your educational and career objectives; and
5. Provide two letters of recommendation, (which need to be uploaded directly by the referees into the online application system), from people familiar with his/her educational background and work experience.

Additional Required Documents for International Applicants Only:

1. A course-by-course transcript evaluation from Education Credentials Evaluators (ECE) or World Educational Services (WES).
2. Proof of English Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS Official Score Report or Waiver Application
3. International Student Packet: - Bank Statement; and Notarized Financial Statement Form and Certificate of Sponsorship.

Higher Education Administration Required Courses: (33 credit hours):

• ELCF 5010 - Curriculum Development and Learning Theories Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5130 - Human Relations and Leadership Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5380 - Collective Negotiations Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5400 - Higher Education Administrative Law Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5410 - Proposal Development for Government and Private Funding Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5600 - Seminar in Financing and Budgeting of Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5780 - Practicum in Higher Education Administration I Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5790 - Practicum in Higher Education Administration II Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5920 - Organization and Governance of Higher Education Credit Hours: 3
• ELCF 5930 - Higher Education Administration and Evaluation Credit Hours: 3
• ED 5960 - Fundamentals of Educational Research Credit Hours: 3

Additional Requirements for Degree Completion:

• The candidate must successfully complete all required credit hours for the program.
• A GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained in the program and is required for degree completion.
• All coursework for the degree, including transfer credits, must have been completed within the six years allowed for program completion.
• The candidate must successfully complete required internship experience (24 credit hour prerequisite**)
• Professional Portfolio (required by the end of the practicum experience, which is completed during ELCF 5790 . This portfolio must be uploaded into Live text for grading purposes.

Educational Leadership & Administration, M.A: Principal Preparation Program (PRIN)

The Principal Preparation Program is designed to provide the background necessary for employment as an elementary or secondary school principal, or assistant principal in related or similar positions. 

MA in Educational Leadership and Administration with PreK- Age 22 Principal Licensure (PRIN): Candidates who complete this 33-credit hour concentration qualify for the M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration and the PreK- Age 22 Principal endorsement on an Illinois Professional Educator License. This program requires the successful completion of the Training in Evaluation of Certified Personnel, and Content Area Tests for Principals (subtests 195 and 196).

Program Requirements:

For program completion, candidates for the PreK - Age 22 Principal Endorsement must:

1. Hold a master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.
2. Document at least 4 total years of successful teaching or school support personnel experience.
3. Pass both Principal tests (195 and 196).

Application Procedures:

To apply for admission to this program, candidates should go to: https://www.csu.edu/graduateschool/ and then follow the instructions provided on this homepage in submitting their application online. Official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, (except CSU), are required. Questions about the application process should be directed to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at Chicago State University, (773) 995-2404 or grad-admissions@csu.edu

Admission Requirements:

The principal preparation program is open to highly qualified educators with at least three years of teaching or school support personnel experience or equivalent out-of-state license. Candidates must have four years of experience at the completion of the program.

To be considered for admission into the program, the applicants must:

1. Have an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4-point grading scale). A 2.75 GPA is needed for conditional admission.
3. Provide (in the online application system) a resume.
4. Provide (in the online application system) a personal written and concise essay describing his/her academic and research background, career goals, and reason for applying to this degree program.
5. Provide two Letters of Recommendation from supervisors, (which need to be uploaded directly by the referees into the online application system).
6. Provide (in the online application system) employment verification on school letterhead. Applicants must have worked as teachers or school support personnel for three (3) years at the time of application. At program completion, candidates will be expected to have four (4) years required for Principal Endorsement.

Additional Required Documents for International Applicants Only:

1. A course-by-course transcript evaluation from Education Credentials Evaluators (ECE) or World Educational Services (WES).
2. Proof of English Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS Official Score Report or Waiver Application
3. International Student Packet: - Bank Statement; and Notarized Financial Statement Form and Certificate of Sponsorship.