Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Educational Administration and Leadership - Pre-Kindergarten-12 Principal (Ed.S.)


Program Overview


The educational administration and leadership programs at USD are designed for school district superintendents, elementary and secondary principals, special education directors, curriculum directors, adult educators, and higher education administrators and classroom instructors. They develop education leaders to be effective school administrators by cultivating change for the future. Offered at master’s, educational specialist and doctoral levels, the programs can be taken on-campus, online or via a hybrid learning environment. Specializations vary depending on the degree level. Examples include adult and higher education, curriculum director, pre-K-12 principal, pre-K-12 educational leadership, director of special education and school district superintendent. The USD School of Education has been accredited by CAEP (formerly NCATE) since 1956. Learn more at https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Graduate-Programs/Pre-Kindergarten-12-Principal.

DELIVERY: Online 

Specialist in Education, Pre-Kindergarten-12 Principal, (non-thesis)


 Total 62 credit hours with a minimum of 32 credit hours beyond a conferred master’s degree.

Supporting Area Coursework


Note:


*For licensure in South Dakota students need to take Indian Education (INED) 511. 

Students have seven years from the time they are admitted to complete the requirements for their degree program. In addition to successfully completing coursework students must take a national professional exam designated by the Division of Educational Leadership to graduate.

General Application Requirements


  1. Completed application
  2. $35 application fee
  3. Official transcripts*
  4. Letters of recommendation*
  5. Statement of purpose
  6. Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. This list is not all-inclusive, to view specific program requirements and submission deadlines, follow the “Admissions Information” hyperlink at the top of this page OR visit the specific program/dept. page found here: link.usd.edu/grad-catalog

Distance Program Leading to Professional Licensure


Location Matters. This program is designed to meet the educational requirements for a professional license or certification and allows students to enroll in at least one course through distance education during the first semester. Pursuant to Federal Regulations, the program may only admit students who are located in states where the program meets the educational requirements for professional licensure or who attest in writing that they intend to seek licensure or employment in a state where the program meets those requirements. As part of your application to this program, you will be asked to provide additional information regarding your location to assist the program in determining your eligibility for admission. 

If you have questions regarding licensure, we encourage you to contact a program representative prior to submitting your admission application, as the application fee is non-refundable. For more information, visit USD’s Licensure-Track Programs page for links to the USD program websites and state licensure board websites. 

Additionally, this program is authorized to offer supervised field study experiences (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) in South Dakota. Please be aware that there may be some restrictions on your ability to engage in supervised field study outside of South Dakota. If you have questions regarding supervised field study, please contact a program representative. 

Distance education courses or programs will not be offered outside of the United States without prior written approval from the University, which may be withheld for any reason. If you are taking distance courses while physically located outsides of the United States, it is your responsibility to confirm the following: (a) if the country will recognize an online degree; (b) whether the program meets licensure or certification requirements in the country including the availability of supervised field study opportunities in the country; and (c) if the country charges any additional taxes, withholdings or fees associated with online distance education programs.

Questions?


Division of Educational Leadership
605-658-6614 | edad@usd.edu | usd.edu/edleadership

Graduate Admissions 
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu  | usd.edu/grad