MA in Leadership and Advanced License Programs

MA in Leadership and Advanced License Programs

UCCS FUELS SUCCESS

 

 

 

About

The MA in Leadership and Advanced License Programs (Principal License, Special Education Director License, and Administrator/Superintendent License) have 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 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 accreditation requirements of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).

As an active participant in these programs you will develop as a leader through an expanded self-knowledge and worldview. You will develop school management competencies and leadership strategies. You will learn how to guide an educational team as you integrate research based instructional and leadership practices to support the needs of a school community to create a plan for student success. You will explore the political and social implications of schooling and the educational requirements of contributing to a diverse, democratic, multicultural society. You will discover how technology can be utilized to enhance management and communication. You will acquire the confidence necessary 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.

Online Programs

The MA in Leadership and Principal License programs are available fully 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.
Admissions

Financial Aid Priority filing date is March 1

Application Process

Admission to the MA in Leadership and Advanced License Programs (Principal License, Special Education Director License, and Administrator/Superintendent License) begins with completion of the online Graduate application found here: Apply Now. The online application and all additional required materials must be completed and uploaded into your application. Program admission occurs on a rolling admission basis. Students can begin a program in fall, spring, or summer except for the Administrator/Superintendent License and Special Education Director License programs which only begin in the fall.

1. Within the online application, you will need to:

      • All applicants (international & domestic) 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
      • Email of three references in the spaces provided in the online application. References must be from a former instructor, current supervisor, and a professional colleague, these references must be in a position to give feedback regarding your ability to be successful in the program
      • Provide copies of all professional educational licenses

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.
1. What are your reasons for applying to this program?
2. What are your professional career goals?
3. How does this program align with your goals.
4. In what ways have your life experiences, work, and volunteer activities prepared your for a career in leadership?
5. What do you bring to the program that will benefit your student colleagues?
6. What personal strengths will enhance your ability to be successful in this program?
7. What factors might limit your ability to complete this program?
8. What other factors do you believe are important for consideration in evaluating your application?”

3. Official Transcripts:

Domestic students: Have one official transcript of all higher education course work ever completed to date (undergraduate and graduate GPA must be included on 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
For other documents, if needed: gradinfo@uccs.edu

Refer to Programs and Credit Requirements section above for degree requirements. 

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 member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/members.htm) or World Education Services/WES https://www.wes.org/).

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.

Principal License

To be eligible for a Principal License from the Colorado Department of Education, candidates must:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally-accredited institution
  • Possess three years of licensed experience in a public or nonpublic elementary or secondary school
  • Pass the Colorado-approved content exam
  • Complete a program from a regionally-accredited institution for the preparation of principals

To apply, complete an application with the UCCS Graduate School.

  • On page 2 of the application, under select the degree program, select Education Endorsement Licensure.
  • Then select the program concentration. 

For information on CDE licensing please go to: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/ 

Special Education Director License

To be eligible for the Special Education Director License from the Colorado Department of Education, candidates must:

  • Hold a master's degree or higher in special education from a regionally-accredited institution
  • Possess two years of licensed experience working with students with disabilities
  • Complete a program from a regionally-accredited institution for the preparation of administrators and special education directors

To apply, complete an application with the UCCS Graduate School.

  • On page 2 of the application, under select the degree program, select Education Endorsement Licensure.
  • Then select the program concentration. 

For information on CDE licensing please go to: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/ 

Administrator/Superintendent License

To be eligible for the Administrator/Superintendent License from the Colorado Department of Education, candidates must:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally-accredited institution
  • Pass the Colorado-approved content exam
  • Complete a program from a regionally-accredited institution for the preparation of school administrators

To apply, complete an application with the UCCS Graduate School.

  • On page 2 of the application, under select the degree program, select Education Endorsement Licensure.
  • Then select the program concentration. 

For information on CDE licensing please go to: http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/ 

Student Ethics

Students are expected to adhere to the highest codes of personal and professional ethics, as set forth by the Honor Code of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, which appears each semester in the Schedule of Classes. Students who do not meet these standards may be dismissed from the Graduate School by the Graduate Dean upon recommendation of the chair of the Department of Leadership, Research, and Foundations.

Course Rotations

For a complete listing of MA in Leadership and Principal License course rotations view the Online LEAD MA + Principal License Program Planning Schedule.

For a complete listing of the Administrator/Superintendent License and Special Education Director License course rotations, view the Administrator and Special Education Director Program Planning Schedule