MA, Leadership Studies

Program Overview

Graduate Programs in Leadership Studies include the Master of Arts degree, the Doctor of Education, and several graduate certificates. Students pursuing the Master of Arts may choose from two concentrations:  Education Leadership (School Principal) or Leadership Specialist. Please see program descriptions and plans of study below for further information

MA, Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Educational Leadership

The Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Educational Leadership is a fully online program which includes the coursework for principal administrative licensure.  Students complete a 36 hour program that includes many field-based experiences.  This program provides the coursework to apply for principal administrative licensure as a PreK-Adult school principal in West Virginia and many other states.  Students from other states should check with their state licensing agency for licensure requirements. Those seeking professional licensure as a school principal in West Virginia must pass the PRAXIS 5412 Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision test and also complete the Evaluation Leadership Institute offered by the West Virginia Department of Education. For complete information on requirements and applying, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/coepd/graduate/ls/maprincipal.

MA, Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Specialist

The Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies with an emphasis in Leadership Specialist is a fully online program designed for the working adult. The knowledge gained through courses such as Human Resource Management, Grant Writing, and Community Planning are valuable for many professions. Earning this degree will enhance a person’s current position or prepare them for a career transition. At the center of each course is the combination of practical experience with academic content, informed by creative and best-practice approaches to online learning. Every course meets Marshall University’s internal quality standards for online courses. Moreover, all full and part-time faculty who teach in the program are certified in Quality Matters, a national review process that is designed to certify the quality of online courses and online components. For complete information on requirements and applying, please visit http://www.marshall.edu/mals.

School Principalship Certificate

The post-master’s school principalship certification program is a fully online program which provides the coursework for professional administrative licensure as a PreK-Adult school principal in West Virginia and many other states.  This program is available to students who have a master’s degree in education. Students complete an 18 hour program that provides many field-based experiences. Students from other states should check with their state’s licensing agency for licensure requirements. Those seeking professional licensure as a school principal in West Virginia must pass the PRAXIS 5412 Educational Leadership Administration and Supervision test and also complete the Evaluation Leadership Institute offered by the West Virginia Department of Education. For complete information on requirements and applying, please visit https://www.marshall.edu/coepd/lspost/.

Social Service and Attendance Certificate

The Social Service and Attendance certification program is designed for education personnel who hold a valid license, or for social workers who hold at least a bachelor’s degree.  Students complete a 12 hour program that includes many field-based experiences. In addition to the coursework requirements, students who do not hold a professional teaching certificate or master’s degree are required to pass the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators Test to obtain licensure.

Contact Us

For questions or further information regarding this program please visit https://www.marshall.edu/coepd/directory/ls/.

Admissions

To apply, please visit our graduate admissions page.