Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.) - Traditional Fifth-Year Certification Program in Instructional Support Areas

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Students should consult the General Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding Graduate School admission requirements, transfer credit, and other critical policies and procedures.

Purpose

The purpose of the fifth-year certification program for instructional support areas is to provide initial certification at the graduate level in the areas of Instructional Leadership & Administration and School Counseling.

In addition to the admission requirements for the Graduate School, candidates for the fifth-year programs for instructional support personnel must have baccalaureate-level professional certification in a teaching field. Temporary, provisional, and other nonrenewable certification are not acceptable. See the Specific programs for other admissions and degree completion requirements.

Troy University College of Education students must meet all specialized accreditation requirements to be classified as graduates of specialized accredited programs (CAEP, CACREP).

Instructional Leadership & Administration (30 sh)

(Grades P-12)

Additional Admission Requirements for Traditional Fifth-Year Certification Program in Instructional Leadership & Administration

Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP)

All candidates must be unconditionally admitted to the university. The ILA program admits three cohorts per academic year (Fall, Spring, and Summer). The admissions deadline for Fall/T1 is July 15. The admissions deadline for Spring/T3 is October 31st. The admission deadline for Summer/T5 is April 15.

Applicants Must:

Hold a valid Class B baccalaureate-level Alabama Professional Education Certification in a teaching field or master’s level Professional Educator’s Certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area. Verification of a Professional Educator Certification certificate must be provided upon application to the program.
Verify a minimum of three years paid, full-time successful teaching experience.
Submit prior to the interview an admission portfolio containing:

Three (3) signed letters of recommendation including one from the applicant’s principal or supervisor on letterhead stationary. (These letters should address the leadership abilities of the candidate and any previous leadership experiences.)
Copies of the most recent performance appraisal including professional development component, if available.
Evidence of leadership and management potential, including evidence of most recent accomplishments in the area of educational leadership and/or student achievement.
Summary of candidate’s reasons for pursuing a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership & Administration.
Summary of candidate’s expectations from the preparation program.
Supplemental Experience Form (Form 125.14).
Curriculum Vitae/resume.
All admission items must be submitted prior to the application deadlines.

Pass an interview conducted by the Program Admission Committee.
Pass a written assessment.
A minimum cumulative/overall graduating grade point average of 2.75 on the baccalaureate transcript or a minimum of a 3.25 GPA on a master’s or higher degree transcript.
Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.

There is no Conditional Admission for this program.

Required Professional Core Courses: (30 sh)

Note:

In addition to the required core, a survey course in special education is required unless previously completed at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Instructional Leadership & Administration for Additional Certification (18 sh)

Admission Requirements

Hold a valid Class A Alabama Professional Educator Certificate.
Verify a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience.
Submit an admissions portfolio prior to interview containing:
- Three (3) signed letters of recommendation including one from the applicant’s principal or supervisor on school letterhead stationary. (Letters should address the leadership abilities of the candidate and any previous leadership experiences.)
- Copies of the most recent performance appraisal including professional development, if available
- Evidence of leadership and management potential, including evidence of most recent accomplishments in the area of educational leadership and/or student achievement
- Summary of candidate’s reasons for pursuing certification in Instructional Leadership and Administration
- Summary of candidate’s expectations from the preparation program
- Supplemental Experience Form (Form 125.14)
- Curriculum vitae/resume
Pass an interview conducted by the Program Admission Committee.
Pass a written assessment.
Successful completion of a criminal background check/fingerprinting.

Required Courses: (18 sh)

Note:

**Students seeking an Ed.S. in ILA will need to complete the RHO route prior to program admission if not currently holding a Class A in Instructional Leadership or Educational Administration.

School Counseling (60 sh)

Locations: Dothan, Montgomery, Phenix City, Troy

Additional admissions requirements, curriculum, and program completion expectations are listed in the Counseling and Psychology section. Specifically GPA and test score requirements for admission are listed in the Counseling section.

Degree Plan

M.S.Ed.: Instructional Leadership and Administration Certification/Traditional Program Degree Plan/Progress Record