The program accommodates the needs of working professionals by offering a degree and licensure through
- MSA Flex: A 2-year hybrid online/on-campus master’s program,
- Add-on licensure-only program.
All MSA Flex students are eligible for a year-long, full-time, state paid internship during their last year of study.
Who is the MSA program for?
The MSA program is for educators who want to assume leadership roles. Most MSA graduates move into leadership positions at schools, while others assume influential roles within state, regional, or national organizations that focus on educational professional development, research, or policy-making.
Completion of the program leads you to eligibility for licensure as a K-12 principal from the N.C. State Department of Public Instruction and qualifies you for principal licensure in most states.
The MSA program will prepare you to
- Engage with students, parents, and community members to develop a shared school vision.
- Employ cutting-edge, research-based solutions to support student needs and school improvement.
- Lead with an equity orientation and in accordance with democratic principles.
Employment Opportunities
Students graduating with an MSA degree will be prepared and licensed to assume prominent leadership roles in traditional and alternative schools and districts.
Accreditation and Standards
The program is fully accredited by the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. The course of study is aligned with the UNC School of Education’s conceptual framework, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s Standards for School Executives, the 21st Century Skills standards, the Interstate Leaders Licensure Consortium standards, the Educational Leadership Constituent Council and National Professional Board for Educational Administration standards.
Flexible Program Options
MSA Flex
The MSA Flex is designed for students who wish to continue employment while pursuing the MSA degree. The program consists of four semesters and two summer sessions. The delivery format is a combination of synchronized digital learning and on-site, face-to-face meetings. Students will be required to attend a summer orientation and a pre-internship seminar in the summer prior to starting the internship. During the first year, students take three courses in each semester with each course lasting approximately six weeks. During the second year, students engage in a year-long internship and enroll in a concurrent seminar course.
If you are seeking North Carolina licensure, you will also complete a series of artifacts that are aligned with the state’s school executive standards. These artifacts are compiled to form an electronic portfolio that is submitted to the state’s licensure division for review.
School Administration Add-on Licensure
The add-on licensure program is available only to well-qualified candidates who already possess a master’s degree, a teaching license and have a minimum amount of school experience.