Executive Leadership Studies (K-12), Master of Arts

The focus of the Executive Leadership Studies (K-12) program is to prepare experienced teachers to serve as educational leaders; it is designed to meet the needs of educators in both theory and practice. Qualifying applicants may enter the five-semester program leading to a Master of Arts degree in Executive Leadership Studies (MELS). In order to be licensed, students must demonstrate proficiency by meeting electronic portfolio requirements and all state required examinations for educational administration.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Arts degree in Executive Leadership Studies (K-12) is to develop educational leaders through courses, research, seminars, and internships conducted in an environment based on Christian principles and values.

Admission Requirements

Program-specific admission requirements for full acceptance into the Master Arts in Executive Leadership Studies are the following:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all work completed beyond high school;
2. Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Exam, Miller Analogies Test, or PRAXIS II Subject Assessment;
3. An "A"-level teaching license or equivalent for those who are pursuing graduate-level licensure;
4. A minimum of three years of successful classroom teaching experience;
5. Three professional recommendations from persons, at least one of whom is a current or former school administrator, who know the applicant’s work as an educator or student; and
6. Approved Internship Supervision Form and a Cohort Form.

Program-specific admission requirements for full acceptance into the Master of Arts in Executive Leadership Studies as a post-masters degree program are the following:

Licensed educators who possess a master’s degree or higher in an education related discipline (school psychology, school counseling, curriculum and instruction P-12, special education, instructional technology, or other related degrees) and wish to enroll at Gardner-Webb University College of Education to earn a second master’s degree and licensure in school administration may be granted course credit for MELS 602 Research and Assessment for 21st Century Executive Leaders (6 credit hours) and MELS 604 21st Century Curriculum and Instructional Development (6 credit hours). Admission requirements include official transcript documenting earned Master’s degree in education-related field from accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5 and admission requirements #3-6 above. Otherwise, these candidates will complete all other program requirements for that degree, including electronic portfolio requirements and all state required examinations for educational administration licensure.

Students earning their second master’s degree in school administration who have successfully completed MELS 601 and MELS 603 have the opportunity to transition into the EdD program in Leadership Studies. For more information, see the Educational Leadership, Doctoral Program section of the catalog.

For students who enrolled prior to Fall 2022, please refer to the 2021-2022 catalog. Students may complete requirements for the 2021-2022 catalog and receive add-on licensure or may request to switch to the 2022-2023 catalog and receive both master’s degree and licensure in School Administration. The form for switching catalogs can be found in WebbConnect. If no action is taken, the continuously enrolled student will remain under the requirements of the catalog under which they enrolled.

Program Goals

The Executive Leadership Studies program is designed to meet the following program goals for prospective school administrators:

1. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of Strategic Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure;
2. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of Instructional Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure;
3. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of Cultural Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure;
4. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of Human Resource Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure;
5. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of Managerial Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure;
6. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of External Development Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure; and
7. The MELS program in the College of Education will prepare and improve abilities of candidates in the area of Micro-political Leadership leading to Principal’s licensure.

Student Learning Outcomes

Candidates in the MELS program are expected to demonstrate proficiency in seven standards by completing six evidences with multiple components. The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of Strategic Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Works with others to develop a shared vision and strategic goals for candidate achievement that reflect high expectations for candidates and staff
2. Maintains a focus on the vision and strategic goals throughout the year
3. Works with others to systematically consider new and better ways of leading for improved student achievement for all students and engages stakeholders in the change process
4. Works with others to incorporate principles of continuous improvement and 21st-century concepts into the School Improvement Plan
5. Works with others to systematically collect, analyze, and use data regarding the school’s progress toward attaining strategic goals and objectives
6. Works with others to create opportunities for staff to demonstrate leadership skills by empowering them to assume leadership and decision-making roles
7. Works with others to encourage teachers and support staff to assume leadership and decision-making roles in the school

The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of Instructional Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Works with others to systematically focus on the alignment of learning, teaching, curriculum, instruction, and assessment to maximize student learning
2. Helps organize targeted opportunities for teachers to learn how to teach their subjects well with engaging lessons
3. Utilizes multiple sources of data, including the Teacher Working Conditions Survey, for the improvement of instruction
4. Adheres to legal requirements for planning and instructional time
5. Reviews scheduling processes and protocols that maximize staff input and address diverse student learning needs

The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of Cultural Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Designs strategies for achieving a collaborative and positive work environment within the school
2. Seeks input from the School Improvement Team and other stakeholders to make decisions
3. Utilizes data gained from the Teacher Working Conditions Survey and other sources to identify perceptions of the work environment
4. Uses shared values, beliefs, and a shared vision to promote a school culture of learning and success
5. Works with others to address diversity and equity as the school develops, monitors, and adjusts the School Improvement Plan
6. Works with others to use established criteria for performance as the primary basis for reward and recognition
7. Identifies strategies for building a sense of efficacy and empowerment among staff
8. Identifies strategies for developing a sense of well-being among staff, students, and parents/guardians

The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of Human Resource Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Works with others to provide structures for and implement the development of effective professional learning communities and results-oriented professional development
2. Routinely participates in professional development focused on improving instructional programs and practices
3. Supports, mentors, and coaches staff members and emerging teacher leaders
4. Works with others to provide formal feedback to teachers concerning the effectiveness of their classroom instruction and ways to improve their instructional practice
5. Works with others to implement district and state evaluation policies in a fair and equitable manner

The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of Managerial Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Works with others to incorporate the input of the School Improvement Team in budget and resource decisions
2. Works with others to use feedback and data to assess the success of funding and program decisions
3. Works with others to resolve problems and/or areas of conflict within the school in ways that improve student achievement
4. Works with others to utilize a system of open communication that provides for the timely, responsible sharing of information within the school community
5. Works with others to provide information in different formats in multiple ways through different media in order to ensure communication with all members of the community
6. Works with others to communicate and enforce clear expectations, structures, rules, and procedures for students and staff
7. Works with others to effectively implement district rules and procedures

The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of External Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Works with others to engage parents/guardians and all community stakeholders in a shared responsibility for student and school success reflecting the community’s vision of the school
2. Works with others to ensure compliance with federal, state, and district mandates
3. Continually assesses the progress of district initiatives and reports results to district-level decision makers
4. Works with others to implement district initiatives directed at improving student achievement

The MELS program will prepare and improve the abilities of candidates in the area of Micro-political Leadership leading to a school administrator’s license.

1. Works with others to build systems and relationships that utilize the staff’s diversity, ideological differences, and expertise to realize the school’s goals 

Total Credit Hours: 36