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    Apr 28, 2026  
2026-2027 Graduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

Educational Leadership (Principal Licensure 486), M.Ed. (30 hrs)

Location(s): 100% Online


Program Overview


The educational leadership program prepares leaders to be confident, caring, and reflective decision makers. This hybrid program equips candidates to become change agents for positively impacting their students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically.

This program meets the requirements for applying for a K-12 administrator’s license upon successful completion of coursework and clinical practice, which is an integral part of this program. Students must also pass the SLLA to obtain licensure.

 

Program Admission Requirements


Program Admission Requirements

  • Complete and submit an online application Apply to Carey through Graduate Admissions.
  • Submit all official transcripts electronically to Graduate Admissions
  • Have a GPA > 3.0 for the last 64 hours in an undergraduate program or GPA > 3.25 in a graduate program.
  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
  • Hold or qualify to hold a Class A teacher’s license and provide a copy
  • Submit two reference forms from present or previous administrators who have supervised your work.
  • Provide district documentation certifying a minimum of three years teaching experience.
  • Students who complete the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership are not eligible for the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.
  • Submit a scholarly narrative of 1-2 pages of your personal philosophy of educational leadership.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer six hours of approved coursework from an institution that is fully accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and aligns with our curriculum. Coursework used in a previous degree may not be used toward this degree.

Program Progression and Graduation Requirements


  • Students must maintain a GPA > 3.0 with no grade less than a ‘C’ and must complete all requirements within six years of admission into the program.
  • Refer to Academic Regulations  in this catalog for additional degree progression and graduation requirements.
  • Students move through the program in cohorts.
  • Students are required to have two approved mentors (K-12 licensed administrators) and complete 300 hours of clinical practice.

Program Requirements and Professional Licensure Disclosure


Teacher education programs at William Carey University are designed to meet the professional competency standards for licensure in Mississippi. Students who intend to seek licensure in another state should contact the License Coordinator in the School of Education to verify that their program of study meets the desired state’s licensure requirements. Refer to SARA information from the Office of Online Learning for details.

Further, the Mississippi Department of Education establishes and maintains state licensure requirements, policies, and procedures, which supersede requirements listed in this catalog. Mandatory changes to this program of study will be communicated to the student through the School of Education.

Refer to the Mississippi Department of Education Office of Educator Licensure (http://mdek12.org/OEL) for the most current licensure requirements, application procedures, and deadlines.