Fall 2016 CoHort is Complete Application is available for Fall 2017
The Western North Carolina Regional Education Foundation (WNCREF) and the Western Region Education Service Alliance (WRESA) in collaboration with the Post Masters Certificate and Masters of School Administration Program (PMC/MSA) at Western Carolina University (WCU) propose the creation of the North Carolina School Executive Leadership Program (NCSELP). The mission of NCSELP is to develop a Principal Preparation Pipeline for the eighteen rural school districts in Western North Carolina. The NCSELP goals are to develop school leaders who understand the connection between strong instruction, focused data analysis, shared leadership, positive school culture, and the importance of principals’ leadership on student achievement. Please email or call Dr. Jan Webster at jwebster@wresa.org (828-774-5681 ext. 21) or Dr. Ann Allen alallen
MSA Instructions
Students without a master’s degree will need to apply for a Masters in School Administration. This degree is earned through the completion of a five-semester graduate program with students taking twelve, three-credit courses, for a total of 36 credit-hours. This graduate program utilizes a hybrid (face-to-face and on-line) course delivery model. Four hybrid courses will require face-to-face attendance at WRESA sponsored professional learning events, in addition to on-line work. The remaining eight courses will be provided fully on-line. Each course integrating face to face professional learning events will require students to attend four full days of instruction at WCU’s Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville, NC. The schedule of classes will accommodate working students, including those who work full-time. The table below lays out the prescribed program plan for each cohort of students. All students are required to complete an internship that is competency based and involves many aspects of a principal’s responsibilities, including leadership of an improvement initiative.
*Indicates that this is a hybrid course, requiring face-to-face attendance for four, 6-hour, full-day sessions at WRESA sponsored professional learning events
To apply for the MSA program at WCU please follow the link/directions provided below:
http://www.wcu.edu/apply/graduate-school/admissions/apply-now.aspx
Under the first paragraph you will find the following link that opens to a new page:
START YOUR GRADUATE APPLICATION
From the new page: Select Create Account tab on top right side of page
Complete Basic Information with your personal information and then the three questions:
(This may also appear as Program depending on the Basic Information you enter)
Which type of degree are you interested in?
Pull down, select Master’s Degree
Select your program of interest
Pull down, scroll down to select
School Administration – M.S.A. – Distance (not currently accepting applications)
Which term would you like to attend?
Pull down, select Fall 2016
Complete Application Login Information
Submit Information
Notes:
You will select: School Administration – M.S.A. – Distance (not currently accepting applications). Because WCU is collaborating with WRESA we are restricting the applicant pool, proceed even though the link says not currently accepting applications.
Recommendations: You will be asked to provide the email addresses for your online recommendations. Please include your principal and any other direct supervisor. Be sure that you include professional references who can attest to your ability to lead, complete graduate level work, and your dispositions for collaboration.
We do not require an admissions test such as the GRE or MAT. You will see the page that requests this information, skip this as it is not a requirement select: Save & Continue to move ahead.
Transcripts: You may upload unofficial copies of your transcripts. Be sure to include any transcripts that you have. If you are admitted you will then be required to send official transcripts to the Graduate School.
You will be asked to attain a District Verification Form (DVF). This simply notes that you are employed by a school district and have 3 or more years of experience as an educator.
If you do not have a teaching license but have 3 or more years of service with a district as a counselor, social worker, psychologist, media specialist or other licensed school based service provider please note that on your DVF as well as your application.
If you encounter difficulties with the application process or system please contact the Graduate School by phone: 828-227-7398 or email grad@wcu.edu
MSA Course Requirements
| Fall 2016 | Spring 2017 | Summer 2017 | Fall 2017 | Spring 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EDL 721: *Current Topics in Public School Law -3 credits | EDL 604: *Leadership for Continuous School Improvement -3 credits | EDL 601: Ethical School Leadership -3 credits | EDL 602: *Shaping School Culture -3 credits | EDL 612: *Curriculum Leadership -3 Credits |
| EDL 603: Instructional Leadership -3 credits | EDRS 602: Research Methods -3 credits | EDRS 709: Assessment for the Advancement of Student Learning -3 credits | EDL 617: History, Sociology & Philosophy -3 credits | EDL 621: Leading Adult Learning -3 credits |
| EDL 686: Internship I -3 credits | EDL 687: Internship II -3 credits |
5 semesters, 36 credit hours total
http://principalprep.wcu.edu
*Indicates that this is a hybrid course, requiring face-to-face attendance for four, 6-hour, full-day sessions at WRESA sponsored professional learning events
Application and Admission Timeline 2016-2017 School Year
| Open the student application process (Graduate School) | May 2, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Deadline for submitting all completed application materials to the Graduate School | June 6, 2016 |
| Application Review Committee to review applications | June 13-June 24, 2016 |
| Program Director to notify Graduate School of recommendations for admission | June 23/24, 2016 |
| Grad School notifies students of acceptance of admission via email address used for application | Week of June 27th |
| Window for students to accept or decline admission | Week of June 27 - July 8 |
| Program Director provides Ed. Outreach with a list of students who are accepted into the program. | July 11, 2016 |
| Ed Outreach will register all students for all classes. | Week of July 11, 2016 (Suggested) |
| Classes Begin and tuition payment due | Week of August 22, 2016 WCU Start Date |
| First face-to-face class for EDL 721 (include program orientation) | TBA 2 week days and 2 Saturdays |
| Remaining face-to-face classes for EDL 721 | TBA 2 week days and 2 Saturdays |
PMC Instructions
Students entering the program already having earned a master’s degree will need to apply for a Post- Masters Certificate toward principal licensure. This certificate is earned through the completion of a four-semester graduate program. Students will take eight, three-credit courses, for a total of 24 credit-hours. This graduate program utilizes a hybrid (face-to-face and on-line) course delivery model. Three hybrid courses will require face-to-face attendance at WRESA sponsored professional learning events in addition to on-line work. The remaining five courses will be provided fully on-line. Each course integrating face to face professional learning events will require students to attend four full days of instruction at WCU’s Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville, NC. The schedule of classes will accommodate working students, including those who work full-time. See the table below for the program schedule. All students are required to complete a competency based internship that involves many aspects of a principal’s responsibilities, including leadership of an improvement initiative. Cost $750 per course with additional costs for application and book fees.
*Indicates that this is a hybrid course, requiring face-to-face attendance for four, 6-hour, full-day sessions at WRESA sponsored professional learning events
To apply for the PMC program at WCU please follow the link/directions provided below:
http://www.wcu.edu/apply/graduate-school/admissions/apply-now.aspx
Under the first paragraph you will find the following link that opens to a new page:
START YOUR GRADUATE APPLICATION
From the new page: Select Create Account tab on top right side of page
Complete Basic Information with your personal information and then the three questions:
Which type of degree are you interested in?
Pull down, select Graduate Certificate Program
Select your program of interest
Pull down, scroll down to select
School Administration – Post Masters Certificate in Public School Leadership – Distance (not currently accepting applications)
Which term would you like to attend?
Pull down, select Fall 2016
Complete Application Login Information
Submit Information
Notes:
You will select: School Administration – Post Masters Certificate in Public School Leadership – Distance (not currently accepting applications). Because WCU is collaborating with WRESA we are restricting the applicant pool, proceed even though the link says not currently accepting applications.
Recommendations: You will be asked to provide the email addresses for your online recommendations. Please include your principal and any other direct supervisor. Be sure that you include professional references who can attest to your ability to lead, complete graduate level work, and your dispositions for collaboration.
We do not require an admissions test such as the GRE or MAT. You will see the page that requests this information, skip this as it is not a requirement select: Save & Continue to move ahead.
Transcripts: you may upload unofficial copies of your transcripts. Be sure to include any transcripts that you have. If you are admitted you will then be required to send official transcripts to the Graduate School.
You will be asked to attain a District Verification Form (DVF). This simply notes that you are employed by a school district and have 3 or more years of experience as an educator.
If you do not have a teaching license but have 3 or more years of service with a district as a counselor, social worker, psychologist, media specialist or other licensed school based service provider please note that on your DVF as well as your application.
If you encounter difficulties with the application process or system please contact the Graduate School by phone: 828-227-7398 or email grad@wcu.edu
Post-Masters Certificate Course Requirements
| Fall 2016 | Spring 2017 | Summer 2017 | Fall 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDL 721: *Current Topics in Public School Law -3 credits | EDL 704: *Leadership for Continuous School Improvement -3 credits | EDL 701: Ethical School Leadership -3 credits | EDL 702: *Shaping School Culture -3 credits |
| EDL 703: Instructional Leadership -3 credits | EDRS 709: Assessment for the Advancement of Student Learning -3 credits | ||
| EDL 686: Internship I -3 credits | EDL 687: Internship II -3 credits |
4 semesters, 24 credit hrs. total
http://principalprep.wcu.edu
*Indicates that this is a hybrid course, requiring face-to-face attendance for four, 6-hour, full-day sessions at WRESA sponsored professional learning events
Application and Admission Timeline 2016-2017 School Year
| Open the student application process (Graduate School) | May 2, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Deadline for submitting all completed application materials to the Graduate School | June 6, 2016 |
| Application Review Committee to review applications | June 13-June 24, 2016 |
| Program Director to notify Graduate School of recommendations for admission | June 23/24, 2016 |
| Grad School notifies students of acceptance of admission via email address used for application | Week of June 27th |
| Window for students to accept or decline admission | Week of June 27 - July 8 |
| Program Director provides Ed. Outreach with a list of students who are accepted into the program. | July 11, 2016 |
| Ed Outreach will register all students for all classes. | Week of July 11, 2016 (Suggested) |
| Classes Begin and tuition payment due | Week of August 22, 2016 WCU Start Date |
| First face-to-face class for EDL 721 (include program orientation) | TBA 2 week days and 2 Saturdays |
| Remaining face-to-face classes for EDL 721 | TBA 2 week days and 2 Saturdays |