Educational Administration

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The School of Education offers a master’s and two doctoral degrees in Educational Administration. The M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration (with Principal Endorsement) and Superintendent Endorsement are CAEP approved. Interested applicants should direct inquiries to the graduate admissions to the School of Education, Educational Administration programs (SOEGradPrograms@siu.edu).   

The program works cooperatively with Curriculum and Instruction, Counseling, Quantitative Methods, Special Education, and Organizational Leadership, Innovation, and Development programs in administering the State of Illinois General Administrative Certificate for persons seeking positions as principals or directors of special education or vocational education. A master’s degree and two years of public school teaching (or its equivalent), are required for the certificate. Students must make application for the administrative certification program through the School of Education.

The programs require a nonrefundable $65 application fee that must be submitted with the application for Admissions to Graduate Study in Educational Administration. Applicants must pay this fee by credit card.

Academic Standing

Each student pursuing a degree, certificate, or endorsement offered by the Educational Administration program must establish and maintain adequate academic standing in order to complete the selected program. To be sure, the Academic Standing expectations in the programs are in addition to the Satisfactory Progress Standards established by the Graduate School. (Refer to the Financial Assistance section of the Graduate Catalog for more information.) In an effort to promote and support program completion, EAHE defines Academic Standing as follows:

Adequate

Student actively engages in at least one of the following based on the structure of their academic program:

  • Takes classes annually that count toward program completion (not including continuing enrollment credit hours)
  • Completes internship(s)
  • Participates in preliminary examinations
  • Conducts research as illustrated by the scheduling of a prospectus or defense
  • Fulfills other requirements in their academic program
  • Maintains regular contact with their faculty advisor (at least once per semester)

Results: Student will continue to work on completing their academic program.

Inadequate

Without attaining a formal leave of absence (requested one semester at a time with a maximum of two semesters during a degree program) from the program and the Graduate School, the student neglects to do at least one of the following based on the structure of their academic program:

  • Take classes annually that count toward program completion (not including continuing enrollment credit hours)
  • Complete internship(s)
  • Participate in preliminary examinations
  • Conduct research as illustrated by the scheduling of a prospectus or defense
  • Fulfill other requirements in his/her academic program

Additionally, the student does not maintain contact with or respond to communication from their faculty advisor, program director, and/or school.

Results: The program will alert the student on what they need to do to attain Adequate Academic Standing. The student will receive time to meet these requirements based on the availability of course offerings, examinations, or other missing requirements. Following the satisfaction of the missing requirements, the program will reassess academic standing of the student.

Delinquent

Over a sustained period without attaining a formal leave of absence from the program and the Graduate School, the student repeatedly fails to do at least one of the following based on the structure of their academic program:

  • Take classes annually that count toward program completion (not including continuing enrollment credit hours)
  • Complete internship(s)
  • Participate in preliminary examinations
  • Conduct research as illustrated by the scheduling of a prospectus or defense
  • Fulfill other requirements in his/her academic program -OR-
  • The student does not maintain contact with or respond to communication from their faculty advisor, program director, and/or school over a sustained period. -OR-
  • The student fails to complete all of the program requirements within the specified time limit.

Results: The program will alert the student to their academic deficiencies and provide an opportunity for the student to author a written appeal to this status within a specified time limit. This appeal should include the steps that the student intends to take to address academic deficiencies. The program will respond upon receipt of the student’s written appeal.

If the program elects to approve the student’s written appeal, the student will receive a specified period of time to fulfill the conditions of the appeal. Successful completion of these conditions will lead to a reassessment of the academic standing of that student.

A student who fails to provide or satisfy the conditions of a written appeal may be subject to dismissal from their academic program and the Graduate School.

As specified by the Graduate School, it is the responsibility of each student to keep the University and the program apprised of their up-to-date contact information. (Refer to the Financial Assistance section of the Graduate Catalog for more information.)

Program Expectations and Time Limits

Once enrolled, the program expects each student to make continuous academic progress toward completing their specified program. Please refer to the information below to learn more about the expectations for your specific program.

Master’s Degrees, Certificates, and Endorsements

Upon admission to pursue a M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration degree, certificate, and/or endorsement offered by the School of Education, the program will expect students to maintain adequate academic standing. To maintain this status, each student must enroll in, complete, and pass courses, internships, exams, and other requirements that lead to the completion of their specified academic program. As specified by the Graduate School, each student will have six calendar years, from the date of initial enrollment, to complete all of the requirements for their specified academic program. (Refer to the Degree Requirements section of the Graduate Catalog for more information.)

Graduate Credit From Post-Master’s Courses

The Educational Administration programs in the School of Education will accept selected post-master’s degree credit hours earned by students prior to acceptance into the Ph.D. in Educational Administration program. Credit will not be accepted for Independent Readings, Independent Studies, or Internship courses. EAHE will accept up to the maximum of credit hours allowed by the Graduate School at SIUC.

Rationale - We need to do this to establish consistency for all of the students. Previously, some students had the opportunity to utilize these courses, while others did not.

Doctoral Program

The program will expect students to maintain adequate academic standing for the duration of their enrollment in the Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Educational Administration program. To establish and maintain this status, each doctoral student must enroll in, complete, and pass courses, internships, program of study, exams, research elements, and other requirements that lead to the completion of their degree. All requirements completed prior to advancing to candidacy will remain valid for 10 calendar years. If a student does not advance to candidacy within the 10-year period, the student may face additional academic requirements or dismissal from the Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Educational Administration program. As specified by the Graduate School, each doctoral student will have five calendar years to complete the remaining elements of their degree program after advancing to candidacy. (Refer to the Degree Requirements section of the Graduate Catalog for more information.) If a student does not complete their doctoral degree within five calendar years after advancing to candidacy, the student may face additional academic requirements or dismissal from the Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Educational Administration program.

The Ed.D. in Educational Administration offers three concentrations: Higher Education, School Leadership (P-12), and Special Education. Each concentration requires a total of 54 credit hours to complete the degree including 12 credit hours of capstone hours (EAHE 600B). Contact the program for information on course requirements for each concentration and capstone options.

Written Appeals

Any student enrolled in a program may author a written appeal regarding their academic standing. Written appeals should include the following:

  • Your name (according to University records), DAWG tag #, and current contact information (postal address, phone, and email).
  • An outline detailing why the School should allow you to remain an active student in your specified program.
  • A description of the difficulties or any extraordinary circumstances that have inhibited your progress toward completing your degree, certificate, or endorsement.
  • A specific timeline of strategies and plans that you will use to make satisfactory progress toward program completion from this point forward. Note: if the faculty members choose to reinstate you as a student, we will regard this timeline and expressed strategies as a contract. Failure to make progress under these conditions will be cause for immediate dismissal from the specified academic program without the opportunity for any further appeals.
  • Identification of and established communication with a current EAHE faculty member who has agreed to serve as your adviser and will assist you in completing your program.

Upon receipt of notification that the program deems the student’s academic standing to be either Inadequate or Delinquent, the student will have 45 calendar days to provide a written appeal to the program. If a student chooses not to author a written appeal regarding their academic standing, then the original determination issued by the program will remain and the program will inform the Graduate School of the student’s status, which may result in dismissal from the specified program and the Graduate School. Students who disagree with the final decision issued by the program must refer to the Graduate Student Academic Grievance Policy established by the Graduate School. (Refer to the Academic Grievances Policy/Procedures section of the Graduate Catalog for more information.)   

Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Educational Administration

The Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) in Educational Administration is a cohort program, with admissions once a year. This program leads to an Illinois Principal Endorsement. Contact the School for application deadline and cohort start date information. The program includes a 36-credit hour core consisting of:

  • EAHE 501    Vision and Planning for School Improvement
  • EAHE 503    Building Collaborative Structures and Systems of Professional Practice
  • EAHE 504    School Leadership through Personnel Administration and Evaluation
  • EAHE 509    School Community Relations and District Policy
  • EAHE 511    Leading Curriculum and Assessment
  • EAHE 519    School Law and Educational Policy
  • EAHE 521    Leadership for Equity - Special Populations
  • EAHE 523    Effective Management and Operations: Finance, Facilities, Technology & Grants
  • EAHE 538    Education, Policy, and Social Forces
  • EAHE 548    Developing Professionals and the Inquiry of Professional Practice
  • EAHE 595    Principal Internship (6 credit hours)

M.S.Ed. Educational Administration / J.D. in Law

A concurrent degree in educational administration and law is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of the increasingly litigious areas of education law. Specifically, the program is designed to educate practitioners in law and educational administration to effectively utilize the problem-solving strategies and techniques of both disciplines. Students prepared in this program will develop an understanding of the ethics, language, research, history, and processes of both professions. Individuals so trained will be uniquely prepared for careers that combine both legal and educational needs, such as K-12 administration, public policy leadership roles, and student or employee advocacy. In addition, strengthening the academic training of lawyers and school administrators will enhance the quality of research performed in both disciplines, as well as enhance the quality of publications in both fields of study. Students with this joint degree will be uniquely prepared to address the myriad of problems in our society that present complex legal and educational issues. Students who complete this program will have enhanced educational and professional opportunities both inside and outside academia. Students must meet the requirements of admission and be admitted separately to the M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration program and the School of Law. Students currently enrolled in the educational administration or law programs must have a minimum GPA before they may enroll in the concurrent program. The minimum GPA for educational administration is 3.0 and for law is 2.5. M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration students interested in this program should consult with the Educational Administration Graduate Program Director.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education - Educational Administration

The Ph.D. in Education - Educational Administration is a research-centered degree, which emphasizes generating new knowledge. The School of Education offers a Ph.D. in Education that allows students to pursue a focus in Educational Administration. The program also administers a cooperative doctoral program with SIU Edwardsville.

Inquiries regarding application to the program should be directed to the School of Education.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Administration

This is practice-based degree, which emphasizes creating, evaluating, and revising educational initiatives to improve outcomes for students, schools, institutions, communities, and society. The program offers a set of general administrative courses to all students enrolled in the Ed.D. in Educational Administration program. Current and prospective students should contact program faculty members for information on courses, sequences, and other requirements.

The Ed.D. has three concentrations:

  • Higher Education
  • School Leadership
  • Special Education