Missouri School Leader Certification Program-Principal
to develop competent, reflective educators and administrators who can successfully teach and lead a diverse population in a complex and changing world
to be the premier Teacher Education program in the four-state area
This program aligns with the Missouri Leader Standards, which emphasize the school leader as a competent manager and instructional leader who continuously acquires new knowledge and skills and is constantly seeking to improve leadership practice to provide for high academic achievement for all students. Courses and assessments in this program encourage prospective school leaders to exercise good professional judgment and to use these standards to inform and improve their own practice. During the capstone semester, students will complete the Missouri Performance Assessment for Aspiring Building Administrator. Students will also register for and complete the Building-Level Administrator Missouri Content Assessment prior to graduating from the program.
This M.S.Ed., Administration program follows a cohort structure allowing two courses per semester (5-7 credit hours) which will be offered sequentially in separate 8-week sessions. The program is offered in an online format with on-ground internship requirements. Requirements for portfolio, internship, or other capstone experience(s) will align with Portfolio (MoSPE Standards) and the Missouri Leadership Development System expectations.
At program completion students will be have or be able to:
| Master of Science in Education Administration | 31 credit hours |
| EDUC 650 Research Design | 3 |
| EDUC 635 School Law | 3 |
| EDUC 630 Assessment of Student Learning | 3 |
| EDUC 633 Administration Leadership | 3 |
| EDUC 603 Foundations of School Administration | 3 |
| EDUC 607 Leadership Capstone | 3 |
| EDUC 623 Ethics & Policy in School Leadership | 3 |
| EDUC 627 School Supervision | 3 |
| EDUC 640 Curriculum Construction | 3 |
| EDUC 672 K-12 School Administration | 2 |
| Internship Option 1-ELEMENTARY | |
| EDUC 668 Internship I in Elementary School Administration | 1 |
| EDUC 670 Internship II in Elementary School Administration | 1 |
| Internship Option 2-SECONDARY | |
| EDUC 669 Internship I in Secondary School Administration | 1 |
| EDUC 671 Internship II in Secondary School Administration | 1 |
1. Complete application for admission and pay application fee. (See US Citizens Application).
2. Possess an earned baccalaureate degree from a College or University accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri Southern State University.
3. Have your official undergraduate transcript and any graduate program transcripts submitted to the MSSU Admissions office at admissions@mssu.edu or mailed to Admissions at 3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801. Your undergraduate and graduate transcripts must show a minimum overall grade point average of 3.00 (2.75 for tentative admission).
The following items will be submitted through the MSSU application portal:
4. Submit a writing prompt (between 500-1,000 words) that answers the following
Question: What are the traits of an effective administrator?
What are the traits of an effective administrator? Why do you want to become an administrator? What traits have you currently developed as a teacher that you think will help you become an effective administrator?
Rubric to score writing prompt
5. Submit a current resume.
6. Three references are needed. One educational administrator and two professional education colleague submissions are needed for the student application file.
7. A video recording, no longer than 5 minutes, of candidate describing:
Introduction of self
Professional background
Professional goals
Reason for applying to the program
8. A copy of current teaching certificate.
Application materials are due by: January 1 for the Spring Semester and May 1 for the Summer Semester
Students who wish to apply for financial aid for a graduate program should complete the free application for student aid (FAFSA) and list the Missouri Southern State University school code; 002488. For graduate students, 6 to 8 hours is considered part time and 9 or more hours is considered full time.
Stafford Loans can be used for graduate studies until the award is exhausted, provided that the student is degree-seeking.
Lion Pride Tuition : Students in M.S.Ed. programs are eligible for Lion Pride tuition grants in-state tuition to students from Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Nebraska and Texas.
TEACH grants are available to graduate students in Teacher Education; however the funding is linked to federal budget funding, so the amount of award funds may fluctuate.
Books and tuition are subject to change each semester. Tuition chart
In-State and Lion Pride Tuition - $350 per credit hour
Out of State Tuition - $350 per credit hour
Other applicable university costs
