School Leadership M.S.L.

The Master of School Leadership (MSL) is a program of preparation for licensure in building administration. Professional education at Friends University for those desiring to become licensed school building administrators is guided by the conceptual framework for The Principal as Leader. The knowledge and skill base are embodied within a core of courses that provides a platform for practice. The program prepares school leaders to be knowledgeable, reflective practitioners who are able to create learning environments for diverse learning communities that include students, staff, parents, community members and all other stakeholders in education. The focus is on the identification, study and development of competencies essential to effective leadership as recognized by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Educational School Leadership Licensure Consortium (ESLLC) and the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).

The Master of School Leadership (MSL) degree is based on a model for working adults.

SCHEDULE

The program provides the opportunity for students to continue full-time employment while obtaining the Master of School Leadership degree in a period of 20 months. During the fall and spring, classes meet one night per week. Summer courses are offered in two or three-week time-frames.

DEGREE AWARDED

Master of School Leadership

CONTACT

Dr. Brenda Cain, Associate Professor, Director
School Leadership Programs
316-295-5592
brendac@friends.edu

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All forms must be on file in the Admissions Office prior to the start of the program. In addition to the requirements stated under the Graduate Admissions Policy, the requirements for admissions to MSL are as follows:

1. Baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher from an accredited university.
2. A letter of recommendation from an educator and a completed recommendation form from someone who can attest to the individual’s high performance standards and probable success.
3. Completion of program interview process and written approval of admission by the program director after review of the admission requirements.
4. A score within the “recommend” range of scores (35-40) on the Leadership Potential Inventory (LPI) for building leadership.*
5. Current employment in a school system with two years of accredited experience as a certified educational professional (and under a teaching contract for the third year) in a school accredited or approved by the state board or a a comparable agency in another state.
6. A current teaching certificate or renewable certificate.

*Provisional Admissions Status Explanation:
Students not scoring at the preferred level will be admitted provisionally. The academic progress of students with provisional admission shall be reviewed following completion of the first six hours of course work. Students with a GPA of 3.0 or greater after six hours of course work will be given regular admission status. Students failing to achieve a GPA of 3.0 will be dismissed from the program.