Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a Major in Educational Leadership

Valdosta State University
Degree Level Masters
Total Credit Hours 30

Program Description

The Master’s Degree Program in Educational Leadership is a comprehensive program of study including course work and related field experiences leading to a Tier I Georgia certificate in Educational Leadership. The primary goal of the field experience is to link the theoretical and philosophical frameworks of educational leadership to actual practice. This is accomplished with designated activities incorporated as a part of the candidate’s program of study and documented through the candidate’s Inventory of Leadership Experience (ILE). Through the combination of course work and field experiences, candidates will be able to develop the necessary competencies to become an entry-level leader. The M.Ed. in P-12 School Leadership is open to individuals who hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Candidates must also show evidence of completion of the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment prior to enrollment.

Admissions Information

Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.

Have a cumulative undergraduate or graduate grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale calculated on all work attempted in which letter grades are awarded. Verification is required in the form of official transcripts. Applicants having a cumulative grade point average between 2.5 and 2.99 on a 4.0 scale for an undergraduate degree, or a cumulative grade point average between 2.75 and 2.99 on a 4.0 scale for a graduate degree, must submit an acceptable Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller’s Analogy Test (MAT) score. Recommended scores for admission are:

GRE - 145 Verbal and 139 Quantitative MAT - 380 Complete the Georgia Ethics for Educational Leadership Assessment (Program Entry Test 370). A copy of a Certificate of Completion should be submitted with the application packet.

Submit a career goal statement serving as a writing sample. The statement must demonstrate 1) the ability to organize and articulate thoughts, 2) writing skills including grammar and punctuation, and 3) the ability to set goals consistent with one’s desired career path. The statement must address the applicant’s career goals, how the degree contributes to reaching these career goals, and why VSU was selected for this graduate work. This career goal statement should be no more than 250 words and is to be submitted to the Graduate School with the other application materials.

Provide evidence of a passing score on the GACE Program Admission Assessment or GACE Basic Skills assessment is to be provided. NOTE: Professionally certified educators (valid or expired) are not required to meet the Program Admission Assessment requirement to enroll for the purpose of adding a new field of certification. Applicants may submit a copy of the official score report meeting the following thresholds on the following exams as documentation of a GACE Program Admission Assessment exemption for state certification requirements:

GRE taken before August 2011: 1030 (Verbal + Quantitative) GRE taken August 2011 or later: 297 (Verbal + Quantitative) SAT: 1000 (Verbal + Quantitative) ACT: 43 (English + Math) SAT and ACT scores may be documented by an official high school transcript, official college transcript with scores posted, or a score report from the testing service. Be employed with a system/agency having an active partnership with Valdosta State University to supervise a residency experience for the candidate.