Educational Leadership

Building Level Leadership

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Program Information

Graduate Studies

Prepare to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact in your school community. Henderson State University’s Educational Leadership – Building Level Leadership programs are designed for educators who are ready to take the next step in their careers as instructional leaders, assistant principals, principals, and school administrators....

Prepare to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact in your school community. Henderson State University’s Educational Leadership – Building Level Leadership programs are designed for educators who are ready to take the next step in their careers as instructional leaders, assistant principals, principals, and school administrators.

Grounded in current leadership research and best practices, our programs equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to lead schools, support teachers, improve student outcomes, and foster positive learning environments. Coursework is aligned with the Arkansas Educational Leadership Compentencies, Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), the National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards (NELP), and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, ensuring graduates are prepared for the challenges of modern school leadership.

Whether you are seeking an advanced degree, administrator licensure, or specialist-level preparation, Henderson offers a pathway to help you achieve your professional goals.

Prepare to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact in your school community. Henderson State University’s Educational Leadership – Building Level Leader programs are designed for educators who are ready to take the next step in their careers as instructional leaders, assistant principals, principals, and school administrators.

Grounded in current leadership research and best practices, our programs equip candidates with the knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions needed to lead schools, support teachers, improve student outcomes, and foster positive learning environments. Coursework is aligned with the Arkansas Educational Leadership Competencies, Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), the National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards (NELP), and the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards, ensuring graduates are prepared for the challenges of modern school leadership.

Whether you are seeking an advanced degree, administrator licensure, or specialist-level preparation, Henderson offers a pathway to help you achieve your professional goals.

Per Credit Hour
$350

Duration
As Few as 16 Months

Credit Hours
24-30

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Per Credit Hour: $350
Duration: As Few as 16 Months
Credit Hours: 24-30

APPLY NOW ⎸ REQUEST INFO

Program Options

  • Master of Science in Education (MSE) – Building Level Leader

    Credit Hours: 30

    The MSE in Educational Leadership is designed for educators who want to develop the leadership skills necessary to serve in building-level administrative roles. Candidates explore instructional leadership, school improvement, organizational management, educational law, data-informed decision-making, and effective communication.

    Graduates are prepared to lead schools with a focus on academic excellence, student success, and collaborative leadership.

  • Building Level Leader Licensure

    Credit Hours: 24

    The Building Level Leader Licensure program is designed for educators who already hold a master's degree and are seeking administrative licensure without pursuing an additional degree. This program provides focused preparation in the competencies required of effective school leaders.

    Candidates gain practical knowledge and leadership experience in areas such as curriculum leadership, personnel management, school operations, and student achievement while meeting state requirements for building-level leadership licensure.

  • Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) – Principalship

    Credit Hours: 30

    The Educational Specialist in Principalship is designed for experienced educators seeking advanced leadership preparation beyond the master's degree level. This program builds on foundational leadership knowledge and prepares candidates to address complex challenges facing today's schools.

    Through advanced study of organizational leadership, strategic planning, school culture, and instructional improvement, candidates develop the expertise needed to serve as effective principals and transformational educational leaders.

Admission Requirements

  • General Requirements
    • MSE
      • Bachelor's Degree with a Minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA
      • Teacher's License
    • Licensure
      • Master's Degree with a Minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA
      • Teacher's License
    • Ed.S.
      • Master's Degree with a Minimum 2.5 Cumulative GPA
      • Teacher's License
  • Letter of Recommendation

    Candidates will submit a letter of recommendation from the superintendent, principal, or his or her designee at the school district. A letter template is provided. Signature of an administrator or designated supervisor is required on the letter. Letter is required to document teacher effectiveness and leadership abilities prior to admission.

  • Interview

    Candidates will complete an interview during the first or second term in the program. The interview is completed in Canvas and scored with a rubric. Following the interview process, the candidate’s advisor will notify the Graduate Studies Coordinator of the candidate's status.

  • Curriculum Plan

    Candidates will complete the appropriate candidacy form for degree or program selected. Candidacy forms are available online and should be completed with the supervision of the candidate’s assigned advisor or the chair of the EDL department. Worksheets are provided to show course sequence and availability.

  • SoR Prescribed Pathway for Proficiency Credential

    Candidates are required to provide documentation of Science of Reading Phase 1 Prescribed Pathway for Proficiency during the application process. Phase I outlines professional learning that meets the knowledge and practices in scientific reading instruction approved by the DESE.

    If a candidate does not have this credential at admission, he or she will be required to complete Phase 1 training prior to completion of the program. The candidate will have to complete one of the approved pathways listed on the DESE website.

    Documentation of the Phase 1 training must be provided prior to the completion of the program for those working toward Arkansas licensure. This requirement will be communicated to the applicant throughout the application process. Candidates are encouraged to have all admissions items submitted prior to the end of the first semester enrolled. Candidates who are missing required admissions documents are notified frequently by the Educational Leadership office.

Courses

Required Educational Leadership courses for the MSE - Building Level Leader and Building Level Leader Licensure tracks; required and elective courses (1 curriculum, 1 technology) for the Ed.S. Principalship track.

  • EDLE 60503: School and Community Resources and Relationships

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course will provide the candidate with the knowledge and dispositions needed to facilitate and engage in effective collaboration with both internal and external publics within the school and community. Emphasis will be placed on involvement of all stakeholders in the development and implementation of an effective school-community relations program that mobilize community resources needed to ensure success of all children.

  • EDLE 61603: Research for Building Level Practitioners

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course introduces candidates to research techniques applying action research. The topic should address some issue within their own campus. The action research project will be completed and results presented at the end of the course.

  • EDLE 62103: Organizational Leadership

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview for all the areas important to a building administrator. It begins with the visioning process, looks at types of leaders, decision- making, professional development, supervision, budgeting and personnel and legal issues.

  • EDLE 62203: Supervision and Educational Leadership

    Credit Hours: 3

    The philosophy, administration, and practice of supervision for the improvement of instruction on the elementary and secondary levels. The course will prepare the candidates with skills needed to implement the TESS evaluation system in Arkansas public schools.

  • EDLE 63303: Educational Law and Political Systems

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course examines legal processes as they affect American education, with special reference to Arkansas statutes and cases. The course is directly concerned with topics of primary interest to school administrators including student rights, teacher rights, the education of persons with disabilities, desegregation, tort liability, and contractual relationships of teachers, administrators, and other district employees.

  • EDLE 66203: Curriculum Strategies for Educational Leaders

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course focuses on the interaction between curriculum, instruction, and assessment as essential to student achievement. It examines the role of the principal as a facilitator of curriculum design and implementation.

  • EDLE 66303: Principal Internship P-12

    Credit Hours: 3

    With 217 Internship/Field Experience Hours

    Various models and strategies for designing, developing and implementing K-12 curriculum are explored. Research and opinions of authorities are reviewed relative to past, present and emerging curricula and instructional practices.

  • EDLE 66903: Technology for School Leaders

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course focuses on the use of technology across all functions of a school system. The course focuses on the leader’s role for the utilization of technology in the schools.

  • EDLE 67303: School Finance and Resource Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview of school resource management; a study of fund sources, equity and adequacy in school finance, principles of budgeting and cost accounting, the relationship of education to economics, Arkansas school finance, human resource management and related finance issues.

  • EDLE 70203: Human Resources and Accountability

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is a study of the administrator’s role in recruitment, selection, induction, retention, classification, evaluation, and dismissal of school employees, including licensed and classified personnel.

  • EDLE 60503: School and Community Resources and Relationships

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course will provide the candidate with the knowledge and dispositions needed to facilitate and engage in effective collaboration with both internal and external publics within the school and community. Emphasis will be placed on involvement of all stakeholders in the development and implementation of an effective school-community relations program that mobilize community resources needed to ensure success of all children.

  • EDLE 62103: Organizational Leadership

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview for all the areas important to a building administrator. It begins with the visioning process, looks at types of leaders, decision- making, professional development, supervision, budgeting and personnel and legal issues.

  • EDLE 62203: Supervision and Educational Leadership

    Credit Hours: 3

    The philosophy, administration, and practice of supervision for the improvement of instruction on the elementary and secondary levels. The course will prepare the candidates with skills needed to implement the TESS evaluation system in Arkansas public schools.

  • EDLE 63303: Educational Law and Political Systems

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course examines legal processes as they affect American education, with special reference to Arkansas statutes and cases. The course is directly concerned with topics of primary interest to school administrators including student rights, teacher rights, the education of persons with disabilities, desegregation, tort liability, and contractual relationships of teachers, administrators, and other district employees.

  • EDLE 66203: Curriculum Strategies for Educational Leaders

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course focuses on the interaction between curriculum, instruction, and assessment as essential to student achievement. It examines the role of the principal as a facilitator of curriculum design and implementation.

  • EDLE 66303: Principal Internship P-12

    Credit Hours: 3

    With 217 Internship/Field Experience Hours

    Various models and strategies for designing, developing and implementing K-12 curriculum are explored. Research and opinions of authorities are reviewed relative to past, present and emerging curricula and instructional practices.

  • EDLE 66903: Technology for School Leaders

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course focuses on the use of technology across all functions of a school system. The course focuses on the leader’s role for the utilization of technology in the schools.

  • EDLE 67303: School Finance and Resource Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview of school resource management; a study of fund sources, equity and adequacy in school finance, principles of budgeting and cost accounting, the relationship of education to economics, Arkansas school finance, human resource management and related finance issues.

  • EDLE 60503: School and Community Resources and Relationships

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course will provide the candidate with the knowledge and dispositions needed to facilitate and engage in effective collaboration with both internal and external publics within the school and community. Emphasis will be placed on involvement of all stakeholders in the development and implementation of an effective school-community relations program that mobilize community resources needed to ensure success of all children.

  • EDLE 62103: Organizational Leadership

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview for all the areas important to a building administrator. It begins with the visioning process, looks at types of leaders, decision- making, professional development, supervision, budgeting and personnel and legal issues.

  • EDLE 62203: Supervision and Educational Leadership

    Credit Hours: 3

    The philosophy, administration, and practice of supervision for the improvement of instruction on the elementary and secondary levels. The course will prepare the candidates with skills needed to implement the TESS evaluation system in Arkansas public schools.

  • EDLE 63303: Educational Law and Political Systems

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course examines legal processes as they affect American education, with special reference to Arkansas statutes and cases. The course is directly concerned with topics of primary interest to school administrators including student rights, teacher rights, the education of persons with disabilities, desegregation, tort liability, and contractual relationships of teachers, administrators, and other district employees.

  • EDLE 66303: Principal Internship P-12 (217 Internship Hours)

    Credit Hours: 3

    With 217 Internship/Field Experience Hours

    Various models and strategies for designing, developing and implementing K-12 curriculum are explored. Research and opinions of authorities are reviewed relative to past, present and emerging curricula and instructional practices.

  • EDLE 67303: School Finance and Resource Management

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides an overview of school resource management; a study of fund sources, equity and adequacy in school finance, principles of budgeting and cost accounting, the relationship of education to economics, Arkansas school finance, human resource management and related finance issues.

  • EDLE 70203: Human Resources and Accountability

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is a study of the administrator’s role in recruitment, selection, induction, retention, classification, evaluation, and dismissal of school employees, including licensed and classified personnel.

  • EDLE 72303: Educational Specialist Research

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course is designed to prepare educational leaders to become more effective and efficient administrators through the application of educational research in the school setting. Emphasis is placed on the use of state and local school or district data, data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

  • EDLE 73703: Program Improvement and Design (Curriculum Elective)

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course provides the candidate with opportunities to assess data and investigate strategies to improve instructional practices leading to improved student achievement. The candidate will examine a variety of program design and develop plans to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs.

  • EDLE 70103: Curriculum Alignment and Assessment (Curriculum Elective)

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course introduces administrators to methods and procedures for effective curriculum design, development, and implementation. It includes the implementation of effective assessment practices.

  • EDLE 74703: Leadership for Curriculum and Instruction (Curriculum Elective)

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course encourages candidates to construct insight related to the philosophical, theoretical and historical foundations of curriculum and educational improvement. The main course goal is for students to examine curricular theory and research as they apply to educational transformation in leadership and instruction. Such 95 inquiry is conducted in the context of the social, psychological and political milieu for curriculum and schooling.

  • EDLE 77703: Integrating Technology (Technology Elective)

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course addresses specific technologies and how to integrate them into instruction. Integrating technology into the curriculum requires both technological skill and knowledge of curricular and pedagogical issues entailed in the process. Thus, in addition to developing specific technological skills, candidates will explore different ways of using technology in instruction, assessment, research, and professional development. Candidates examine current technological trends, pedagogical issues, and scholarly research addressing the integration of technology in teaching and learning.

  • EDLE 71703: Communication for Leaders (Technology Elective)

    Credit Hours: 3

    In this course candidates will examine uses of technology to market school districts and to increase communication with all stakeholders. Candidates learn to use various technology to communicate with the school and business community.

  • EDLE 66903: Technology for School Leaders (Technology Elective)

    Credit Hours: 3

    This course focuses on the use of technology across all functions of a school system. The course focuses on the leader’s role for the utilization of technology in the schools.

Resources

Contact

Headshot of Dr. Holly Cothren, Educational Leadership Associate Professor and CoordinatorDr. Holly Cothren
Associate Professor and Coordinator
870-230-5405
cothreh@hsu.edu