Educational Administration, M.Ed.

Educational Administration: 34 credits (Note: Certification Only = 22 credits)

The Heritage University graduate program in educational administration provides a rigorous program of study designed to prepare instructional leaders to become outstanding principals and program administrators. Heritage’s goal is to develop successful 21st-century leaders through a progressive program of study.

The Educational Administration Program is designed for the educator whose career goals are in the area of school administration, i.e. serving as a principal, and/or school-district-level program administration (e.g., curriculum, special education, business services, or human resources). Successful graduates qualify for Washington State Principal Certification or Program Administration Certification.

The Educational Administration Program features relevant research-based courses taught by responsive faculty during a convenient weekend model and online. Courses emphasize the Washington State Pre-Service Benchmark Standards for Principal and Program Administrator Certification and the National Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards (ISLLC Standards). Rigorous admission standards ensure that each candidate selected has the academic ability, personal qualities and characteristics, and leadership experience for success in a school and administrative team setting. The internship agreement establishes a formal and professional working relationship among the intern, school district, and Heritage University.

Program Goals

Heritage’s primary mission is to prepare and support effective, intellectual, and ethical school leaders who have a positive impact on student learning. A graduate with administrator certification will have the ability to positively impact learning for all students by using his or her leadership knowledge, skills, dispositions, and cultural competence to do the following:

1. Develop, articulate, implement, administer, and share with the school and community stakeholders a vision focused on learning
2. Develop and sustain a school culture and instructional program that promotes student learning and staff professional growth at the building level
3. Manage a school’s organization, operation, and resources to produce a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment
4. Work positively and collaboratively with families and community members by identifying and responding to diverse community interests and needs by mobilizing community resources
5. Promote the success of all students in their building/district by acting with integrity and fairness in an ethical manner
6. Understand, respond to, and influence the political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context of the school and larger community

Additional Admissions Requirements for Certification

1. Admission to Heritage University (graduate application, transcripts, and fee)
2. Principal certification candidates must provide the following, based on the Washington State certification they hold:
   • Teacher or Career Technical Education (CTE) certification — a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience (does not include substitute teaching)
   • Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certification — a minimum of three years of successful school-based instructional experience. Candidates seeking principal certification who do not have teaching certification experience must also submit the following to support “successful school-based instructional experience with students”:
   1. Job description
   2. A reflection essay describing the applicant’s instructional experience and contributions to student learning.
   3. Identification of published and/or approved curriculum or examples or descriptions of instructional plans.
   4. A letter or statement from a principal verifying applicant’s assignment(s) and instructional experience.
3. Submission of the Administrative Preparation Program admission packet:
   • Three administrators’ recommendations (using the university forms). Required recommendations from current principal and the superintendent or designee. The third recommendation can be from other principals and/or other district office administrators knowledgeable of candidate’s character and leadership skills.
   • Official transcripts indicating a 3.0 GPA for the last two years of undergraduate or graduate work.
   • Copy of a valid Washington State teacher, CTE, and/or ESA certificate showing expiration date (for Principal Certification).
   • Résumé showing evidence of leadership and involvement in school district improvement efforts.
   • Written statement addressing educational and professional goals.
4. Interview with the department chair and/or Professional Education Advisory Board (PEAB) members and/or committee of university representatives (may be required, based on submitted materials and qualifications).

Note: Master’s and/or certification candidates are required to maintain a B (3.0 or better) in all graduate course work. Candidates will apply for residency administrator certification at the conclusion of the internship. Upon satisfactory completion of all certification requirements, Heritage University recommends the student to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for the Washington State Residency Administrator Certificate.

Program admission decisions are based on an analysis of applicant profiles made by the Heritage University Educational Administration PEAB, consisting of faculty and school practitioners. The PEAB meets a minimum of three times during the academic year and provides recommendations related to each applicant’s admission, program policy, and content of course work.

Complete program applications are submitted to the PEAB for recommendation by the department chair. Candidates are informed in writing regarding the status of their application.