Master of Science (M.S.) and Specialist in Education (Ed.S) in Educational Leadership
Mission Statement
The degree programs (M.S., Ed.S.) offered in Educational Leadership reflect the latest issues and knowledge in education and are responsive to the needs of a diverse student population. Faculty members draw upon students’ life experiences to facilitate mutual professional and personal growth and to promote meaningful change. Students completing the program are prepared to assume leadership positions in various organizations in their community.
Program Goals
The program integrates the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to become highly accomplished professionals and outstanding leaders of public and non-public educational organizations. These include:
- the ability to be proactive and decisive with a moral and ethical commitment to the organization’s mission;
- the cognitive and communication skills necessary to facilitate meaningful change;
- the flexibility in using decision making and motivational strategies for effective stewardship of time, resources, and personnel;
- the assumption of roles which require Florida State Certification in Educational Leadership;
- the assumption of teacher leadership positions within public and non-public schools; and
- the assumption of leadership roles in general education settings.
Student Learner Outcomes
Upon completion of the M.S. or Ed.S. program in Educational Leadership, graduates will have increased their abilities to:
- plan and assess effective change processes and lead organizational development within a caring environment;
- make sound decisions, allocate with scarce resources, and manage complex systems;
- demonstrate and inspire integrity in instructional and institutional leadership;
- apply current technologies to improve instructional and administrative processes and envision, plan, implement, and evaluate new applications of technology; and
- critically address the challenges of education, yet champion a positive vision of its future.
Certification Track
The M.S. and Ed.S. certification track, are 36‑credit degree programs. Upon completion candidates are eligible for the Florida Educational Leadership Certification (All Levels). The program, which is approved by the Florida Department of Education, includes study of the dynamics of educational organizations and successful practices that inspire the full realization of human potential. Completion of either the M.S. or Ed.S. degree qualifies the student to pursue his/her individual career goals.
**The Ed.S. program, referred to as the Modified Core, permits students to take all of the courses in the Florida State Approved Program and upon completion, the student is eligible for the Florida Educational Leadership Examination which leads to certification in Educational Leadership (All Levels).
Note:
Students participating in the MS Educational Leadership with Certification, who reside out of state, must check with their home state Department of Education for acceptance and/or transfer. Barry University does not guarantee certification acceptance in any state other than the state of Florida.
Prerequisites for the Certification Track
- Application for Admission;
- Response to the prompts provided as part of the online application process;
- Two most recent annual performance evaluations with a rating of “effective” or higher;
- A resume, which includes two professional references (with phone numbers and email addresses) and highlights the applicant’s educational leadership experience and potential;
- Copy of current professional educator’s certificate*;
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited or internationally recognized college, or university, indicating conferral of a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA or at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; and
- ESOL endorsement on teaching certificate or documentation attesting to the completion of one ESOL survey course.
Non-Certification Track
The M.S. and Ed.S. non-certification track are 36‑credit degree programs. Upon completion, candidates are prepared to assume leadership positions in educational organizations for which state certification is not required. While the courses are aligned with state and national standards for Educational Leadership, candidates are not required to demonstrate a passing score on the state certification exam in order to be eligible for graduation.
Prerequisites for the Non-Certification Track
- Application for Admission;
- Responses to the prompts provided as part of the online application process;
- A resume which includes two professional references;
- Documentation of at least two years of teaching or school experiences; and
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited or Internationally recognized college, or university, indicating conferral of a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. NOTE: Students whose GPA falls below a 3.0 must submit a MAT or GRE score.
Graduation Requirements (M.S. and Ed.S.)
- Achieve an overall 3.0 GPA.
- Have no more than 2 “C” grades in coursework; and all F grades, I grades, and IP grades have been replaced with passing grades.
- Pass all sections of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE).*
- As the state implements new requirements for this certification, they will be compulsory with or without notice in this Catalog. The student has the sole responsibility to comply with Florida State Department of Education certification requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to secure the application and submit the necessary documents to the State to be eligible for the certificate.
*Not required for students in the non-certification track.
Master of Science (M.S.) and Specialist in Education (Ed.S) (36 credits)
The M.S. and Ed.S. in Educational Leadership incorporates the ten Florida Principal Leadership Standards within the courses and internship.
Required Courses (36 credits)
Note:
- EDR-601, EDR-708 (for Ed.S. students) required in first 12-15 credits.
- EDU-697 required for the non-certification option and supplants EDU-699
In response to the increasing demand for high quality, alternative delivery formats of courses, students are advised that some future courses may be delivered through one of the following: Face-to-face, Hybrid, or Fully Online (either synchronous or asynchronous).
Students will be notified during the prior semester of the intended delivery format of the course(s). In addition to notification, students will be provided with an orientation and instruction related to the course design, technology requirements, and course management system.
All courses delivered through distance formats will meet the same requirements for course integrity as those delivered as traditional face-to-face courses. Goals, objectives and standards of each course will be aligned with the Barry University standards for distance learning courses.