Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

• use multiple data to describe school climate and culture including demographic information regarding students, faculty, and community;
• conduct a comprehensive analysis of the school’s improvement plan and its alignment with student learning outcomes;
• communicate effectively with all stakeholders: students, staff, parents, community and central office administration;
• engage in activities and best practices related to both formative and summative assessments to promote instructional improvement;
• identify legal implications related to school operations involving all stakeholders: students, staff, parents, community members, and central office administration;
• engage in a reflective exercise related to building-level staff and professional development experiences that promote student learning.

Ed. Sp. School Administration (PK-12) (Hybrid- On Campus and Online)

The Ed.Sp. degree in educational administration with emphasis in school administration (PK-12) prepares teachers for specialization in school leadership and administration in elementary, middle, and secondary settings.  The program also provides an opportunity for practicing administrators to enhance their professional skills and to connect with other practitioners from the metropolitan area and region.  Students in the program gain a broad understanding across the professional field, the acquisition of in-depth knowledge in at least one specialized field in educational administration, and integrative experiences demonstrating the application of theory to practice.

Admissions Requirements

• Official transcripts showing an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Three letters of recommendation, with one recommendation from the applicant’s direct building supervisor.
• Minimum undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs that do not meet this threshold may be considered on the strength of their graduate GPA and their letters of recommendation.
• CV or resume, including evidence of at least three years of teaching experience.
• Candidates for School Leader K-12 certification licensure must possess a valid Missouri teacher certificate. Applicants must submit their Missouri teaching license or a statement of one’s ability to obtain it.

Applicants who are interested in joining the UMKC Pathways to Leadership in Urban Schools (PLUS) program will also be asked to participate in a full-day interview.

Program Requirements

Note: Students will be assigned a faculty advisor in Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations at the time of admission to the School of Education, Social Work, and Psychological Sciences. Final program planning is a joint responsibility of the candidate and, the faculty advisor.

Requirements for Certification

In addition to the degree requirements for the Ed.Sp. degree in educational administration with an emphasis in school administration (PK-12), certification as a school principal also requires successful completion of all Missouri state certification requirements and exams. Candidates are subject to any Missouri legislative action or State Board of Education policy that may become effective during the lifetime of this catalog.

Licensure Disclosure - PK-12 Emphasis

UMKC’s school leader preparation program is approved by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Students who complete one of our school leader preparation programs are highly recommended to apply for Missouri’s certification whether one plans to reside in Missouri or not.  Regulations for each state provide licensing options to guarantee access to start who hold a valid license from the state a student completed an approved preparation program, and some require licensure in hand from the state in which the school leader preparation program was completed.

This Disclosure is limited to our best ability to determine whether our curriculum would sufficiently meet the educational requirements for certification in another State as an K-12 school leader. Comparability of state licensing will be based on official, approved compilation of rules and regulations. Students may need to complete additional requirements, such as, coursework, assessment, background checks or classroom experience before receiving full certification. A provisional license may be awarded while students complete these requirements. Please contact the state agency where you plan to licensure before relocating to ensure you are fully aware of all licensure requirements.

UMKC strongly recommends that students review the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure or certification and prior to beginning any practicum/internship. See UMKC's Professional Licensure Disclosures page for more information. 

Program Director

Hubert Gordon, Associate Professor of Professional Practice

Questions about Licensure

Brad Martens

States in Which the Curriculum Meets the Educational Requirements for Licensure

AL*, AK*,  American Samoa**, AZ*, AR*, CA*, CO, CT, DE*, DC*, Federated States of Micronesia**, FL, GA, Guam, HI, ID, IL*, IN, IA*, KS, KY*, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN*, MS, MO, MT, NE,  NV*, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC*, ND*, Northern Mariana Islands, OH, OK, OR*, PA, PR, Republic of Marshall Islands**, Republic of Palau**, RI, SC, SD*, TN, TX*, USVI, UT*, VT*, VA, WA, WV*, WI, WY.

States in Which the Curriculum Does Not Meet the Educational Requirements for Licensure

N/A.

* Must hold Missouri licensure.
** No licensure exists.