Educational Administration (M.Ed.)

Program Coordinator/Contact

Alison Wilson, Assistant Professor
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 108, Box 507
605-688-5039

Program Information

The M.Ed. degree in Educational Administration is designed to meet the needs of individuals who work (or plan to work) with youth of all ages in an administrative capacity. The School of Education, Counseling and Human Development provides professional preparation for those who expect to become qualified administrators in PreK-12 schools where certification is required. The coursework is closely aligned to program and professional standards for building-level education leaders, which may include principals, assistant principals, curriculum directors, and supervisors.  

The Educational Administration degree meets the requirements for endorsement as a principal in South Dakota.  These requirements are designed to meet the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Building Level Standards. This major is also appropriate for professionals who wish to serve in administrative roles in schools or related service agencies.

The South Dakota State Board of Education requires that in order to be endorsed, individuals must have three years of verified experience on a valid certificate in an accredited K-12 school, one year of which includes classroom teaching experience or direct services to students. Applicants should be certified and employed full-time in a certified position (e.g., classroom teacher or school counselor) prior to entering the program. Students must complete the three years of verified experience on a valid certificate prior to graduating the M.Ed. program to be eligible for certification as school principals.

South Dakota principal endorsement also requires internship experience at the elementary and secondary levels aligned to NELP standards. Accordingly, students in the Educational Administration program are required to take the coursework-only option (Plan C), which involves two semesters of internship experience.  This plan requires the student to complete a minimum of 35 credit hours in order to graduate.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to collaboratively lead, design, and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities that include data use, technology, equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community. (NELP Standard 1)
• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms. (NELP Standard 2)
• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive school culture. (NELP Standard 3)
• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to evaluate, develop, and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, data systems, supports, and assessment. (NELP Standard 4)
• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to engage families, community, and school personnel in order to strengthen student learning, support school improvement, and advocate for the needs of their school and community. (NELP Standard 5)
• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies, and regulations.  (NELP Standard 6)
• Candidates who complete the program are educational leaders who promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to build the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning. (NELP Standard 7)
• Candidates successfully complete an internship under the supervision of knowledgeable, expert practitioners that engages candidates in multiple and diverse school settings and provides candidates with coherent, authentic, and sustained opportunities to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills identified in NELP standards 1–7 in ways that approximate the full range of responsibilities required of building-level leaders and enable them to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult in their school. (NELP Standard 8)

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement

SDSU prepares teacher candidates to meet all requirements for teacher certification in the state of South Dakota.  At this time SDSU cannot confirm this program or its courses meet requirements for professional licensure in states outside of South Dakota. Assistance will be provided to candidates in contacting the licensing authority in the student’s state and understanding the requirements for licensure prior to enrollment in the South Dakota State University program.

Course Delivery Format

The program can be completed online through the Brookings Campus.