Leadership: Principal Education License, MA

The Master of Arts (MA) in Leadership: Principal Education License has been carefully designed to ensure the development of educational leaders who can transform schools into learning communities in which all members of a diverse society are accorded opportunity and respect.

The MA in Leadership: Principal License program is available 100% online. The online program is designed to:

• Accommodate working adults by offering online classes that are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Address the needs of adult learners by offering classes in an online environment of a rich community of learners. Courses are divided into modules to allow learners to continue their educational goals without the physical restrictions of a traditional classroom setting.
• Provide opportunities for motivated educators who want to advance their education and career opportunities without disrupting their full-time jobs and other life commitments.
• Assist educators in rural areas who have limited or no access to the UCCS campus.

The program curriculum has been developed on a foundation of research in the areas of organizational leadership, inclusive leadership, instructional leadership, professionalism, and data literacy. These programs satisfy the accreditation requirements of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).

As an active participant in this program, you will:

• Develop as a leader through expanded self-knowledge and worldview.
• Learn how to guide an educational team as they integrate recommendations from research with an assessment of the needs of a school community and create a plan for student success.
• Explore the political and social implications of schooling and the educational requirements of a diverse, democratic, multicultural society.
• Discover how technology can be utilized to enhance management and communication.
• Develop school management competencies and leadership strategies.
• Enhance your ability to ignite and inspire others!

Warren Bennis has written that the primary goal of leadership is the creation of a human community held together by a common purpose. True leaders, he said, demonstrate a balance of competence, virtue, and vision. It is our mission to guide you in developing all three.

This is a 33-credit hour program that requires the completion of 9 credits of foundation courses, 21 credits of P-12 leadership cognate courses, and a 3-credit practicum course. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the program requirements, objectives, and expectations, please take a look at the student handbook.

Foundation Courses (9 credits)

Cognate Area Courses (21 credits)

Practicum Course (3 credits)

Financial Aid Priority: March 1

Students can begin a program in the fall, spring, or summer except for the Administrator/Superintendent License and Special Education Director License programs which only begin in the fall.

Application Process

1. Complete the UCCS Graduate application. Application requirements:
   • Pay the $60.00 application fee.
   • Upload your career goal statement.
   • Upload your curriculum vitae or professional résumé (please include relevant paid work and volunteer experience where applicable).
   • Complete and upload the Tuition Classification form.
   • One reference - the reference must be from a former instructor, current supervisor, or a professional colleague, this reference must be in a position to give feedback regarding your ability to be successful in the program.
   • Provide copies of all professional educational licenses.
   • Note: On the application, under 'select the degree program' - select Education Endorsement Licensure
      
2. Career Goal Statement: Upload your career goal statement into the online application and include responses to the following prompts. Please limit your narrative to 1500 words. Make sure to include your name and the program you are applying to in your goal statement.
   • What are your reasons for applying to this program?
   • What are your professional career goals?
   • How does this program align with your goals?
   • In what ways have your life experiences, work, and volunteer activities prepared you for a career in leadership?
   • What do you bring to the program that will benefit your student colleagues?
   • What personal strengths will enhance your ability to be successful in this program?
   • What factors might limit your ability to complete this program?
   • What other factors do you believe are important for consideration in evaluating your application?
      
3. Official Transcripts: Domestic students: Transcripts from degree-granting institutions must be submitted (minimum GPA of 2.75 required for admission*). Additional transcripts may be required to verify prerequisites or major coursework. A final official transcript from the degree-granting institution must be verified and undergraduate and/or graduate GPA must be included on transcripts. Please have official transcripts sent from the institution you attended directly to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Office of Admissions (electronically or by postal services).
   • Postal Services:
     UCCS Office of Admissions
     1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
     Colorado Springs CO 80918-3733
   • Electronically: ugapp@uccs.edu
      
4. Admissions Interview: Once ALL application materials are received (including receipt of all three completed reference forms), prospective students will be contacted by the college to schedule a formal (phone or in-person) interview.
   • Applicants with any post-secondary course work from an international higher education institution that is recognized by their country's Education Ministry must submit a course-by-course foreign degree evaluation by a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/members.htm) or World Education Services/WES https://www.wes.org/).
      
5. Additional items of note for international applicants: English proficiency must be demonstrated through providing evidence of an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, a TOEFL score of 550-(paper-based) or 80-(internet-based), or a Kaplan International Tools for English (KITE®) score of a minimum of 460. Students may make arrangements to take KITE® at the Global Engagement Office. The Office can be reached at: international@uccs.edu; 1-219-255-5018.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities.