School Administration

The Master of School Administration (MSA) Program prepares aspiring school leaders to advance student success through continuous improvement, instructional leadership, collaborative decision-making, and community engagement. A rigorous course of study, field experience, and mentorship from experienced educators help students gain practical experience and build lasting professional relationships with educational leaders. The online format and in-school internship experience offer adult learners flexibility and support. Graduates who complete the program and meet all state requirements are eligible for recommendation for North Carolina Principal licensure.

You'll develop skills in:

• Strategic leadership and school operations
• Instructional leadership and curriculum development
• Legal and ethical responsibilities in school administration
• Community engagement and family partnerships
• School improvement and organizational change strategies

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Minimum GPA

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate and post-graduate coursework.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

North Carolina Professional Educator’s License

• A valid North Carolina Continuing Professional License (CPL) is required.
• Applicants must have completed at least three years of successful teaching experience prior to admission to the MSA Program.
• North Carolina licensure requirements mandate that an individual have four years of teaching experience before being recommended for principal licensure upon completion of the MSA Program.

Professional Resume

Submit a current resume documenting educational background, professional experience and current place of employment, leadership roles, accomplishments, and evidence of at least three years of teaching experience.

Professional Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit three professional letters of recommendation that speak to their leadership potential, professional dispositions, communication skills, and readiness for graduate study and school leadership.

Required recommenders include:

1. Current Principal or Direct Administrative Supervisor: a letter evaluating the applicant’s leadership potential and affirming support for the applicant’s participation in required field-based experience and the administrative internship.
2. Professional Colleague: familiar with the applicant’s leadership ability, collaborative work, and engagement with the community.
3. District-Level Administrator, Assistant Principal, or Other Educational Leader: who can speak to the applicant’s leadership potential and readiness to assume school leadership responsibilities.

Leadership Statement of Purpose

Applicants must submit a Leadership Statement of Purpose (minimum of 500 words) that provides insight into their leadership experiences, aspirations, and readiness for school administration.

Address each of the following prompts, providing specific examples when possible:

• Describe a meaningful leadership experience that influenced your decision to pursue school administration. What did this experience teach you about yourself as a leader?
• Why do you aspire to become a school administrator? What impact do you hope to have on students, staff, families, and the broader school community?
• Describe how you build relationships, communicate with stakeholders, and foster trust within a school community.
• Describe a significant professional challenge you have encountered. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Identify your current leadership strengths and areas for growth. How will participation in the MSA Program help you develop as a school leader?

Note: Successful completion of the North Carolina Principal Portfolio Assessment is required for recommendation of a principal license.

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The School Administration Graduate Certificate is a licensure-only, 24-credit-hour program that includes a 6-credit-hour yearlong internship. The certificate program is intended for applicants who already hold a master’s degree or higher and a NC continuing professional educator’s license at the “M” level (class code). This program provides a pathway for candidates to "add-on" a principal license to an existing North Carolina Professional Educator's License only, and the add-on may not be accepted beyond North Carolina.

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA

• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all graduate coursework.
• Submit official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

North Carolina Professional Educator’s License

• A valid North Carolina Continuing Professional License (CPL) at the “M” Level is required.
• Applicants must have completed at least three years of successful teaching experience prior to admission to the Certificate Program.

Professional Resume

Submit a current resume documenting educational background, professional experience and current place of employment, leadership roles, accomplishments, and evidence of at least three years of teaching experience.

Professional Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must submit three professional letters of recommendation that speak to their leadership potential, professional dispositions, communication skills, and readiness for graduate study and school leadership.

Required recommenders include:

• Current Principal or Direct Administrative Supervisor: a letter evaluating the applicant’s leadership potential and affirming support for the applicant’s participation in required field-based experience and the administrative internship.
• Professional Colleague: familiar with the applicant’s leadership ability, collaborative work, and engagement with the community.
• District-Level Administrator, Assistant Principal, or Other Educational Leader: who can speak to the applicant’s leadership potential and readiness to assume school leadership responsibilities.

Leadership Statement of Purpose

Applicants must submit a Leadership Statement of Purpose (minimum of 500 words) that provides insight into their leadership experiences, aspirations, and readiness for school administration.

Address each of the following prompts, providing specific examples when possible:

• Describe a meaningful leadership experience that influenced your decision to pursue school administration. What did this experience teach you about yourself as a leader?
• Why do you aspire to become a school administrator? What impact do you hope to have on students, staff, families, and the broader school community?
• Describe how you build relationships, communicate with stakeholders, and foster trust within a school community.
• Describe a significant professional challenge you have encountered. How did you respond, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Identify your current leadership strengths and areas for growth. How will participation in the MSA Program help you develop as a school leader?

Note: Successful completion of the North Carolina Principal Portfolio Assessment is required for recommendation of a principal license.

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Along with your application, fee and transcripts, you must also meet the following eligibility criteria and provide the required supporting documents:

• A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution that demonstrates a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
• A copy of a North Carolina Continuing Professional License. The license must be a continuing NC license that indicates three full years of teaching experience.
• Resume to verify three years of teaching experience
• Three professional recommendations to include:
  • Your current principal
  • A colleague familiar with your instruction and coaching potential
  • An individual knowledgeable of your potential to engage in graduate-level coursework and/or to assume an instructional coaching position (e.g., current or former professor or a district-level administrator)

• Statement of purpose addressing:
  • Why are you interested in instructional coaching?
  • How has your experience prepared you for instructional coaching roles?
  • What are your goals for supporting teaching and learning through instructional coaching in educational settings?
• Admission dates:
  • Fall I, Spring I and Summer I
  • Can be completed in as little as 4 to 10 months

The electronic and physical information for submitting transcripts:

UNC Pembroke William Howard Dean Graduate School
PO Box 1510
One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372

UNCP will accept transcripts electronically at grad@uncp.edu . If you have questions about the application process, please contact the W.H. Dean Graduate School office at grad@uncp.edu .

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