Educational Administration

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Program Description

The M.Ed. degree in Educational Administration is designed to meet the needs of individuals who work (or plan to work) in an administrative capacity. The department of Teaching, Learning, and Leaderships provides professional preparation for those who expect to become qualified administrators in schools where certification is required, and for other institutions, businesses, industries and service-orientated agencies where an administrative program is of value.

The secondary and elementary specializations in Educational Administration meet the requirements for endorsement as a principal in South Dakota. Those seeking to complete the requirements for the principalship will have very limited flexibility in the coursework taken. See below for the coursework for each area of emphasis. These requirements are designed to meet the ELCC Standards as required by law.

The South Dakota State Board of Education requires that in order to be endorsed, individuals must have three years of verified teaching experience on a valid teaching certificate in a K-12 school, one year of which includes classroom experience or direct services to student.

Students are able to choose from either a program in which only coursework is required or a program in which they must complete a research project. If a student elects to take only course work (Plan C), the student must complete a minimum of 35 credit hours in order to graduate. If the research option is chosen, the student must complete a minimum of 32 credit hours including EDER 788 Research Problems (Plan B).

Available Options for Graduate Degrees

Master of Education	Option B
	Option C

Core Requirements

Select the program to review specific requirements

Elementary Education Specialization

Secondary Education Specialization

Additional Admission Requirements

GRE: Not required
TOEFL: Department requirement of 550 paper-based, 213 computer-based, 79-80 Internet-based

Applicants must provide a resumé, goal statement, and two letters of professional reference to Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. Once all material is received, it is reviewed by the Department. Students are assigned an admission status of “unconditional,” “conditional” or “not admitted.”

General Requirements (Master’s Degree)

Graduate students should consult with their advisor before registering for graduate work.

See Masters Degree Requirements .

Course Offerings

Educational Leadership Courses