Teacher Leader - Master of Arts in Education

Admission Requirements

(For ALL concentrations)

1. General admission to graduate study (for criteria, refer to "Admission to Graduate Study").
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on the baccalaureate degree awarding final transcript or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on the master's degree awarding final transcript for those who have completed a previous master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education is required.
3. An acceptable admission index by meeting any of the following:
   1. GRE score (verbal + quantitative) x undergraduate GPA = 850 (minimum);
   2. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scaled score x undergraduate GPA = 980 (minimum);
   3. The test requirement is waived for applicants who have successfully completed a master's degree.
4. A valid teaching certificate or statement of eligibility.
5. For candidates selecting the Literacy Specialist Endorsement or School Community Leader areas and also seeking National Board Certification, admission to the National Board for Professional Teaching program is also required.

Alternate Admission Requirements

Applicants may be admitted to the program by meeting one of the following:

1. For students who have not met the testing requirements for admission into the program, but who have successfully completed 12 hours of coursework required for the program with at least a 3.5 or above GPA, the department chair may waive the testing requirement. The department will waive the testing requirement for students who have already completed a master's degree; OR
2. Prior to registering for the fifth course, applicants may submit a GRE or MAT score that results in an acceptable admission index. The admission index will be determined by the following:
   1. GRE score (verbal + quantitative) x undergraduate GPA = 850 (minimum);
   2. Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scaled score x undergraduate GPA = 980 (minimum).

Program Competencies

1. Be leaders in their schools and districts.
2. Evaluate high-quality research on student learning and college readiness.
3. Deliver differentiated instruction for P-12 students based on continuous assessment of student learning and classroom management.
4. Gain expertise in content knowledge.
5. Incorporate reflections that inform best practice in preparing P-12 students for postsecondary opportunities.
6. Support P-12 student achievement in diverse settings.
7. Enhance instructional design utilizing the Program of Studies, Core Content for Assessment, and college readiness standards.
8. Designs and plans instruction.
9. Creates and maintains a learning environment.
10. Implements and manages instruction.
11. Assesses and communicates learning results.
12. Demonstrates the implementation of technology.
13. Reflects on and evaluates teaching and learning.
14. Collaborates with colleagues, parents, and others.
15. Evaluates teaching and implements professional development.
16. Provides leadership within school, community and profession.
17. Designs and conducts professional relevant research projects.

Assessment

Each Teacher Leader student in the master's program is required to successfully complete a portfolio. The portfolio will be a culmination of teacher leadership skills that were designed to improve student learning. To that end, students will be involved in activities and projects throughout the teacher leader program that cause them to critically examine current practices and suggest continuation of the practices or develop strategies for improvement. Each portfolio will be submitted to the student's advisor through Taskstream. The portfolio will contain the following components: a table of contents, a letter to the reviewer, the critical performance for each of the required core courses (varies by concentration), and two projects and/or papers completed within the concentration area courses. Graduate level grammar, writing, and APA formatting for in-text citations and reference lists are expected.

Portfolio Requirements

• Submitted through Taskstream.
• Graduate-level grammar and writing.
• Appropriate APA formatting for in-text citations and reference list.
• Table of Contents.
• Letter to the Reviewer (includes a portfolio overview, a reflection synthesizing program competencies, and a statement about how the program will impact his/her teaching and/or leadership in the schools). Students should contact their advisor for more specific information.
• Teacher Leader Core (Note: Some concentrations do NOT require all core classes; therefore, students in those concentrations will NOT be responsible for the portfolio requirement for any core classes that are not required.)
  • EDTL 601: Instructional Question Project
  • EDTL 602: Critical Analysis of a Local School Decision or Philosophy of Education Statement
  • EDTL 603: Explanation (including strengths and weaknesses) of the Research Designs Used in Education
  • EDTL 604: Collaboration Project
  • EDTL 605: Development Case Study of Students or Policy Analysis
  • EDTL 606: Action Proposal for Change Based on Curricular Need
• Concentration Courses
  • Any approved course: A project or paper from the course
  • Any approved course: A project or paper from the course

Maintaining Enrollment

After completion of 12 hours, students must have attained at least a 3.0 cumulative program GPA. Students falling below a 3.0 cumulative program GPA may take no more than an additional six hours. If after completing an additional six hours, the cumulative program GPA is below 3.0, the student will be dropped from the program.

Requirements for the Degree

1. Satisfy general degree requirements.
2. The student must apply for graduation at the beginning of the term in which they anticipate completion. The completion form can be accessed online at www.moreheadstate.edu/degree.
3. Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA after completing the bachelor's degree.
4. Students must successfully complete a portfolio (see description in the section above).
5. If a student has not become unconditionally admitted after completing 12 graduate hours, he/she will not be allowed to register for additional hours.