Requirements
Program Overview
The Specialist in Instructional Leadership will prepare instructional leaders to navigate the complex issues of an educational environment. The program will equip candidates with the knowledge to positively impact students’ lives socially, emotionally, and academically. Candidates must have successfully completed a Masters in Education or related field in order to apply for this program of study.
The program begins every trimester. This program is fully online with 30 hours and may be completed in five trimesters or 15 months. Students will take two courses each trimester, eight of the courses are 5 weeks and two are 10 weeks long. This specialist program does not lead to an administrator’s certification. See the Hybrid Specialist in Educational Leadership program if you are interested in this path. However, this program will lead to a AAA teacher certification.
Program Goals and Objectives
The instructional leadership specialist program is focused on preparing school leaders to:
- Create and implement a shared strategic vision.
- Assess, develop, and implement quality professional development activities that support learning goals and school needs based in current research and policies.
- Use data to develop and prepare school personnel that are committed to a safe and effective student learning environments.
- Understand and manage the diverse instructional needs of a school and community with current technologies.
- Understand and manage current technology issues of today’s learners.
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements
Each applicant to graduate programs at William Carey University must:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Provide official transcript(s) of all college work completed to date. An official transcript is defined as one issued directly from the institution to William Carey University.
Program Requirements
- Complete and submit an online application to William Carey University graduate school admissions.
- Pay application fee.
- Hold a valid teaching license or waiver of licensure form completed.
- Hold a master’s degree from an institution fully accredited by a recognized accrediting agency.
- Have completed 30 hours of graduate work.
- Have a G.P.A. of 3.25 in a related master’s program.
- Submit two reference forms from present or previous administrators who have supervised your work.
Progression
To progress through the specialist in instructional leadership degree program, the student must:
- Maintain a 3.00 G.P.A.
- Complete a minimum of 15 hours through William Carey University, not to include credits from a prior degree earned through WCU.
- Complete all required work within a period of six years after enrolling in the program.
- File a signed program of study prior to completing 9 hours.
No student will be admitted on a provisional or probationary basis. Students may transfer hours of approved coursework from an institution that is fully accredited by a recognized accrediting agency. Coursework used in a previous degree may not be used toward the specialist degree.