School Administration, M.A.

Contact Information

• Academic Program Director: Manuel N. Ponce, Jr.
• Academic Advisor: Terri Taylor

Introduction

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in School Administration program is a comprehensive program designed to prepare current and aspiring educational administrators and leaders interested in furthering their understanding of educational leadership. The program ensures candidates acquire the skills and dispositions needed to lead schools effectively.

Courses in this program are delivered in an online or hybrid modality. 

The M.A. can be combined with LMU’s online California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program or taken as a stand-alone program.

Program Outcomes

Through the study of relevant leadership theory and participation in residency/fieldwork experiences designed to facilitate the application of theoretical concepts in a practical setting, candidates will:

• Acquire the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to serve as an Educational Leader in California
• Demonstrate the ability to be moral and ethical leaders for social justice who respect differences, value reflective practice, understand change facilitation, build learning communities, and work effectively in diverse settings
• Identify, develop, and articulate a clear and purposeful vision for leadership that enables an environment that inspires a shared vision and enlists the active participation of all stakeholders
• Develop an understanding and a theory of action regarding the political, financial, legal, and operational aspects of school leadership through investigation of leadership theory
• Develop a vision for instructional leadership and a theory of action that includes a strong emphasis on cultural and linguistic diversity, special education, the successful development of English Learners, and the parent-school relationship

Program Admission Requirements

• Online Graduate Application
• Bachelor’s Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution
• Official Transcript from all Colleges/Universities Attended, including all Community/Junior Colleges
  • Applicants who completed an undergraduate/graduate degree outside of the United States of America:
    • Official Transcript Evaluation from an approved evaluation agency that details content of coursework completed, degree equivalency, and cumulative GPA
    • Official Transcript is still needed along with Transcript Evaluation
• Cumulative Undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or 3.05 in the last 60 Undergraduate Units, a 3.0 in at least 9 Graduate Units, or Completion of a Request for Exception to GPA Requirement
• Applicants whose citizenship is from a country where English is not the primary language:
  • TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo English Test Minimum Scores (unless a High School Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree was obtained in the United States)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • At least one letter from an employer, supervisor, or educational administrator
• Resume or CV
• Statement of Intent addressing:
  • Applicant’s understanding of diversity, social justice, and student achievement. Discuss its implications for leadership and how it intersects with your personal leadership in your current school setting, as well as future administrative leadership roles.

Degree Requirements

Required Coursework

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
Administrative Services Credential Coursework
EDLA 6421	Vision of Learning for Diverse Students, Families, Staff, and Community and Residency/Fieldwork Comp	3
EDLA 6422	Responding to Diversity: Access, Equity, and Educational Opportunity	3
EDLA 6423	Student Learning & Professional Growth for Diverse Students, Families, Staff, & Community & Residenc	3
EDLA 6425	Transforming Organizations for Diverse Students, Families, Staff, & Community & Residency/Fieldwork	3
EDLA 6427	Advocacy from a Legal Perspective	3
EDLA 6428	Business of Education	3
EDLA 6441	Fieldwork/CalAPA Cycle 1 (fee based)	0
EDLA 6442	Fieldwork/CalAPA Cycle 2 (fee based)	0
EDLA 6443	Fieldwork/CalAPA Cycle 3 (fee based)	0
Subtotal		18
Additional coursework required for the School Administration M.A.
EDLA 6105	Assessment and Research Methodology	3
EDLA 6426	Instructional Technology for School Leaders	2
EDLA 6429	Specializing in Charter Schools	3
EDSP 6390	Lifespan Development	3
EDUR 6100	Anthropological Analysis of Cultural Diversity	3
Subtotal		14
Total Semester Hours		32

The credential course requirements listed here meet the program standards required for a credential recommendation to the CTC for this academic year.   The CTC’s standards are subject to change in the future.  A candidate being recommended for a credential/authorization at a later year is held to the standards required by the CTC at that time and may need to take additional coursework to meet any new standards required for that credential/authorization. 

Degree Benchmarks

• Capstone Oral Examination

Additional Requirements

• Application for Degree