Instructional Leadership, M.Ed. *

OSRHE Program Code: 124
CIP Code: 130301

Major Code: 3920
Option Codes:

• 3816 - Classroom Teaching Cognate
• 3810 - National Board Cognate
• 3825 - Online Teaching Cognate
• 3848 - Professional Enhancement Cognate
• 3823 - Visually Impaired Certification Cognate

(36 Semester Hours with Capstone Experience)

Specialty Accreditation

NSU’s educator preparation programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), www.caepnet.org, (1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023, 202-223-0077), and the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (840 Research Parkway, Suite 455, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-522-5399), www.ok.gov/oeqa

Credential Requirements

Courses included do not represent all courses needed for a teaching certificate for the State of Oklahoma.  Candidates seeking certification should contact NSU’s Teacher Certification office for individual advisement on courses needed based on previous college credits.

Goal of the Master of Education in Instructional Leadership Program:  The goal of the M.Ed. in Instructional Leadership program is to create accomplished teachers who are reflective about their practice and who critically analyze what constitutes effective teaching and valuable learning.  Teachers will expand their instructional repertoires and master an expanding body of pedagogical knowledge while becoming deeply cognizant of the ethical and societal dimensions of education.  Teachers will understand that they are part of a global village which embraces diversity.  Teachers will draw on this knowledge to make principled judgments about their students and their instruction.  Teachers will use and understand research and the rule it plays in academic decisions and pedagogical practices.  These teachers will also collaboratively engage students, parents, colleagues, and communities in educative pursuits which foster partnerships and life-long learning.

Objectives of the Master of Education in Instructional Leadership Program:  In their teaching practice, degree candidates will:

1. Perform as Instructional Leaders who are reflective about their practice and who critically analyze what constitutes effective professional practice.
2. Synthesize cultural competency.
3. Master an expanding body of pedagogical knowledge and the impact on instructional leadership.
4. Become deeply cognizant of the ethical and societal dimensions of instructional leadership.
5. Use research to collaboratively engage stakeholders in educative pursuits which foster partnerships and life-long learning.

 Candidates must satisfy the following requirements as outlined in the Graduate Catalog in order to be admitted into and to pursue a Master of Education degree in Instructional Leadership:

 Step One:  Prior to first enrollment

• Meet the admission requirements for the Graduate College.  
• Hold or be eligible for an Oklahoma standard teaching certificate or teaching license or be eligible for the Oklahoma alternative certification program with a plan of study for certification provided by NSU’s Certification Office or the Oklahoma State Department of Education Professional Standards on file with NSU’s Office of Teacher Certification and the Graduate College.
• Meet with your assigned advisor; sign a plan of study.
• No more than six credit hours will be allowed to be taken during a semester, for no more than two semesters, until being fully admitted into the program.

Step Two:  During first semester (It is recommended that all admission requirements be met prior to enrollment.)

Meet the following Program requirements:

• Within the last five years, take and have a satisfactory score on either the MAT or GRE. 
• Submit to Master of Education in Teaching Admissions Committee*
  • Three (3) sealed letters of recommendation and other included informational materials.
  • A statement of your educational philosophy.  (The statement is to be between one and two pages, typed, double-spaced, 12 point font with margins of 1 inch all around.) 
  • If going through alternative placement with the State Department, a letter of acceptance must be submitted with admission materials.
  • Official transcripts of all previous coursework.
  • GPA requirement of
    • 3.00 overall, undergraduate, or
    • 3.25 in the last 60 credit hours, undergraduate or
    • Have an earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university

If the GPA requirements (see above) are not met, one of the following items must be satisfied:  (a) MAT - scaled score of 383, or (b) GRE - combined quantitative and verbal score of 288.

Scores from MAT/GRE must be less than five (5) years old

All materials are to be received by the Admissions Committee by 5:00 pm on October 1, March 1, or July 1. If these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the last business day prior to the holiday or weekend.  *Northeastern State University, College of Education, Department of Educational Foundations and Leadership, 717 N. Grand Ave., Tahlequah, OK 74464.  ATTN:  Master of Education in Instructional Leadership Program Admission Committee.

Admissions Committee

• All materials must be submitted by the applicant.
• A formal interview and/or other materials may be requested by the committee at its discretion.
• The Admissions Committee will review all materials and will make a recommendation concerning admission to a program.

Step Three:  Upon formal admission into the program, meet with your assigned advisor and complete the following:

• Degree Plan, and
• Any other required materials

Conditional Enrollment:  For those persons who wish to pursue a degree, but are not able to meet the requirements for the undergraduate GPA and/or MAT/GRE, conditional enrollment may be allowed as follows:

• A graduate program GPA of 3.5 must be obtained for twelve credit hours of coursework taken at Northeastern State University, and all other admittance requirements must be completed during the first semester of enrollment.
• Full admittance will be considered by the Admissions Committee at the completion of 12 credit hours upon the written request of the student within the semester deadlines for admissions.
• No more than six credit hours will be allowed to be taken in any semester until fully admitted into the program.

Advisement:  An advisor is assigned to the student by the Graduate College when he/she is admitted to graduate studies. The student will arrange a conference with the contact person before first enrollment. The advisor will assist the student in the selection of classes each semester and is responsible for submitting to the Graduate College a degree plan which outlines all requirements the student must complete. A Statement of Understanding signed by the student and advisor must be submitted with the degree plan.