The University of Tennessee - Martin

The Master of Science in Education with a major in Educational Administration and Supervision is available to individuals who obtained a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and who are professionally licensed to teach. Complete admission requirements are shown below. This online degree allows the candidate to complete certification requirements for the beginning administrator as an initial step towards full credentialing as a professional administrator. According to current Tennessee State Board of Education policy, full credentialing and employment of principals/supervisors is a two-step process.

The first step leads to licensure as a beginning administrator; the second step supports the professional development of the new administrator and leads to licensure as a professional administrator. UT Martin’s online EDAS program requires an internship for completion of the program. As a result, after satisfactory employment as an administrator in a school system for one year, the director of schools can apply for the professional administrator license on the student’s behalf.

Conceptual Framework
The theme, "Professional Educators as Leaders and Enhancers of Human Development," is our goal in continuing the professional development of future educators. The advanced program's conceptual framework is depicted as four keys that the graduate faculty feel will unlock each candidate's potential. They are:

KEY 1 Knowledge, Skills and Application
KEY 2 Human Relations
KEY 3 Inquiry
KEY 4 Professional and Ethical Behavior

Inherent within each key component are outcomes that the candidate is expected to master upon completion of his/her individual program. These keys are linked together by a solid ring representing the faculty's commitment to diversity, technology and assessment.

Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards for School Leaders (ISLLC)

In addition to the conceptual framework, the EDAS coursework is aligned with ISLLC Standards.  These are:

• Standard 1: Standard 1 – A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
• Standard 2:  A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
• Standard 3:  A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
• Standard 4:  A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
• Standard 5:  A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
• Standard 6:  A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

EDAS Curriculum

For students seeking a Master’s Degree, the EDAS program includes 12 hours of core curriculum, 18 hours of EDAS concentration coursework, and a 3- hour internship.  Master’s seeking students must successfully complete an ISLLC-based comprehensive examination to fulfill the requirements for a degree.  For licensure, students are also required to pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment.

For students seeking an EDAS endorsement only, the requirements are 18 hours of EDAS concentration coursework and the 3-hour internship.  For licensure, students are required to pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment.

Course Format
The EDAS core and concentration course materials are accessible 24/7 using Blackboard CourseWare.  The courses have discussion, email, chat, assignments and web-conferencing capability.  Students also have free tech support 24/7 through UT Martin’s Help Desk.

The internship is the experiential component of the EDAS program and it may be completed in the candidate’s own school and/or system.  Students work closely with UT Martin faculty and a supervising mentor to complete the requirements. There is a requirement of 400 hours of activities which must be completed and can be begun before registering for the internship component.

Admission into the internship is not permissible until all required coursework has been successfully completed.

Tuition
Online graduate tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year: in-state students ($359/credit hour) and out-of-state students ($391/credit hour).

Faculty
The EDAS program faculty hold Graduate Faculty status at UT Martin and all have experience in educational leadership and online teaching.
Accreditation

UT Martin is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, telephone number 404-679-4501) to award bachelors and masters degrees.  UT Martin’s education curriculum is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Admission Requirements

Applicants may be admitted as degree seeking or endorsement only.  Degree seeking candidates must meet all University requirements as listed in the university catalogue under “Types of Admission.” Applicants for a major, or seeking endorsement in Educational Administration and Supervision, must meet the additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission.

• Unconditional Admission
• Minimum GRE General scores – Verbal 450, Quantitative 530, and Writing 3.5
• Hold a current teaching license
• A minimum of three successful years teaching experience and
• Minimum 2.7 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

• Conditional Admission – good for six credit hours
• Minimum GRE General scores – Verbal 360, Quantitative 410, and Writing 3.5
• Hold a current teaching license
• A minimum of three successful years teaching experience and
• Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

How to Apply

EDAS program applicants must submit an application for admission and an admissions portfolio, which when complete will be considered by the EDAS Admissions Board. All of these materials/documents must be submitted to the Graduate Studies Office, 303 Administration Bldg., UT Martin, Martin, TN, 38238.

Application to the Graduate School includes the following:

1. Apply for admission by one of the following means:

• Apply online (click here) and complete the credit card payment of $30 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students)
• Acquire an application form online (click here), complete the form and submit to the Graduate Office with a payment (check or money order) of $25 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students). This from can also be faxed to 731-881-7499.
• Apply in person at the Graduate Office and pay the $25 non-refundable application fee ($50 for international students)
• International students must:
  1. Acquire and submit an international student application from International Programs, 144 Gooch Hall, UT Martin, Martin, TN, 38237
  2. Acquire and submit an application for international graduate admissions from International Programs.

2. Request the Registrars of all colleges and universities attended to send one official transcript to the Graduate Studies Office.

The admission portfolio for application to the EDAS program must include:

1. Letter of application that outlines the candidate’s professional goals and philosophy of education.
2. Current resume.
3. Three letters of reference providing professional support from educational superiors and/or former employers.
4. Documentation of completion of a minimum of three years of “successful teaching experience” as defined by the State Department of Education. 

Note:  In some cases an interview by the EDAS Admission Board will be conducted to clarify portfolio information.

**Additional requirements for unconditional and conditional admission can be found by in the university catalog under the Graduate Admissions section.

Graduate Application: Print | Apply Online
Course Descriptions
EDAS checksheet