[1] Master of Science Program (MS) in School Leadership, Management, and Administration

Offered through the Department of Leadership Studies, graduate programs in school leadership are designed for individuals seeking Arkansas licensure as building administrators, curriculum administrators/ or program administrators for special education or gifted talented education.  These programs are aligned with both state and national standards. The program is part of UCA's National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation and is approved by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council.  The program is designed to provide school-based leaders who are (1) strong educators with a focus on student's needs and learning, (2) moral agents and social advocates for the children and communities they serve, (3) effective communicators with students, colleagues, and members of the community, (4) effective managers of change, and (5) effective integrators of technology into the educational environment. 

The professional degree, Master of Science (MS) is designed to meet the needs of professional educators for preparation as building level leaders and administrators as principals, vice principals, or assistant principals.  Candidates may choose on of the two tracks for their master's degree work:  Building Administrator or Curriculum/Program Administrator.  The Building Administrator programs requires completion of a minimum of 34 hours of designed course work. The Curriculum/Program Administrator track requires a minimum of 35 hours of approved course work.  Both tracks require completion of an internship, a portfolio defense, and a satisfactory score on the Arkansas Department of Education mandated examination.

[2] Programs of Study for Administrator Licensure

The Department of Leadership Studies has approval from the Arkansas Department of Education to offer programs of study in the following areas for individuals with appropriate master's degrees:  building administrator and curriculum administrator and/program administrator (gifted/talented educators and special educators only ).   These programs of study vary in length based upon individual applicant backgrounds.  All programs require an internship and portfolio defense.  Contact the Department of Leadership Studies for details.

[3] Board of Education Requirements

The Arkansas State Board of Education requires a minimum of four years experience, three of which must be in a classroom at the level for which licensure is being sought for either P-8 or 7-12.  Teaching at either the 7th or 8th  grade level will count for both levels of administrator licensure. The other year(s) of experience may be as a school administrator or counselor. In addition, the candidate must pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) for Building Administrators to receive licensure.

[4] Admission Requirements

Admission to this degree program is competitive and selective. In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, all applicants must present satisfactory test scores from the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE and provide the following information for evaluation by the departmental admission committee.

1. A completed application form that includes the names and contact information of three professional references.
2. Copy of a valid teaching license.
3. Letter (s) from employer (s) documenting at least two years of teaching experience and the grades and subjects taught.
4. Official transcripts from al institutions attended.

[5] Retention Requirements

Retention is contingent upon making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree, and holding or eligible to hold a valid teacher's license.  Serious violations of the state ethics mandates for P-12 educators, and/or serious violations of UCA student academic conduct policies may result in suspension or dismissal from the program.

[6] Transfer Credit

A maximum of six semester hours of graduate degree credit with grades of "B" or above may be transferred from another UCA graduate program or another regionally accredited institution.  Candidates must specifically request consideration of transfer work completed prior to admission to the program.  After admission to the program, approval to transfer work from another institution must be approved prior to enrolling in the courses.  No internship hours may be transferred.

[7] Degree Requirements

To be recommended for a degree, candidates must meet the following requirements:

1. Complete all required coursework with at least a 3.00 GPA with a maximum of seven hours of "C" grades;
2. Complete satisfactorily all student assessments required as part of the state and NCATE accreditation process;
3. Complete satisfactorily the program required comprehensive examination;
4. Present score reports on the state mandated external national examination and meet at least the minimum score set by the state for licensure; and
5. Present other documentation that is required by the state in order for the department to recommend you for the appropriate administrator's license.

[8] Recommended Courses by Term (limited flexibility allowed)

1st Term

All degree -seeking candidates

SLMA 6310 Foundations of School Leadership

ASTL 6380 Research Design

2nd Term

SLMA 6312 School-Based Organizational Leadership

SLMA 6320 School Law

SLMA 6120  or 6162 or 6164 Internship I

3rd Term
All candidates

SLMA 6430 Curriculum and Program Leadership for Schools

SLMA 6130 or 6162 or 6164 Internship II

4th Term

Building Administrator

SLMA 6440 Principal as Instructional Leader

SLMA 6140 Internship III

Curriculum/ Program Administrator 

Appropriate Specialization Course (s) and internship.

5th Term

Building Administrator

SLMA 6450 Principal as Manager

SLMA 6150 Internship IV

Curriculum/ Program Administrator

Appropriate Specialization Courses (s) and internship.

6th Term
All candidates

SLMA 6460 Collaborative School Leadership

SLMA 6160 or 6162 or 6164 Internship

SLMA 6170 Portfolio

[9] Courses in School Leadership, Management, and Administration (SLMA)

Follow this link for SLMA course descriptions: course link