Students seeking a Master of Arts in this concentration area must have a valid South Carolina teaching certificate (Professional Level, K–6, 7–8, and 9–12) and a minimum of two years’ teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying. (Elementary grades: K–6; Middle Grades: 7–8; Secondary grades: 9–12).

Students certified to teach at the elementary level should enroll in the elementary school leadership program, and students certified in a subject taught in high school should enroll in the secondary school leadership program. Persons wishing to become certified in administration at a level different from their teaching certification area will need to add the appropriate teaching credential and consult the graduate advisor for the course(s) needed in school leadership. Persons holding valid teaching credentials in both elementary and secondary may select either elementary or secondary school leadership.

• EDFD-604 Statistics and Measurement in Education
• EDFD-606 Research in Education

Please refer to the 2025–2026 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.

• EDSL-719 Leadership in Educational Organizations
• EDSL-727 Strategic Planning and Thinking in Education
• EDSL-730 Designing and Implementing Curriculum
• EDSL-823 School Finance
• EDSL-825 Schools and the Law
• EDSL-840 Supervision and Instructional Leadership 
• EDSL-849 The Principalship
  • Pre-requisite EDSL-719
  • Must be taken just prior to or concurrently with the internship

Please refer to the 2025–2026 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.

• EDSL-971 Internship in Educational Leadership I
• EDSL-972 Internship in Educational Leadership II

For all levels of the internship: All courses in the school leadership sequence, including courses in the concentration as well as electives, must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a yearlong experience.

Please refer to the 2025–2026 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.

• EDFD-879 Master’s Seminar in Education

Must be the last course in the degree program

Please refer to the 2025–2026 Graduate Academic Catalog for course descriptions.

All courses in the School Leadership concentration sequence must be completed prior to the end of the internship, which is a year-long experience.   Passing score on PRAXIS area exam is required to be recommended for both the degree and certification.

Additionally, in order to gain SC certification in school administration, candidates must have a valid SC teacher’s professional level certificate; show evidence of a passing score on the PRAXIS Education Leadership:  Administration and Supervision subtest; and have a minimum of three years teaching experience, including at least one year at the level of the certificate for which the individual is applying.