Leadership and Administration (MSEd)

In addition to being offered on Northern State University’s main campus (Aberdeen, SD), this program is also available online and at Huron Community Campus.

The school administration program prepares school service personnel for leadership roles in PK-12 school administration. Specialized courses foster development of the analytic and scientific inquiry skills needed by school administrators- including management, public relations, curriculum development and supervision.

Courses provide the background for certification in a wide range of administrative positions. Admission to the leadership and administration program requires three years of full-time PK-12 teaching experience in an accredited school. Three years of verified teaching experience is required for licensure in South Dakota.

Career directions: public and private school administration, graduate study.

Educational Prerequisites: Three years full-time PK-12 teaching experience.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to collaboratively lead, design, and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities.
• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to understand and demonstrate the capacity to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms.
• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive school culture.
• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to evaluate, develop, and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, supports, and assessment.
• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to engage families, community, and school personnel in order to strengthen student learning, support school improvement, and advocate for the needs of their school and community.
• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies, and regulations.
• Leaders will understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to build the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture, and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support, and professional learning.