School Administration, Master of School Administration

Program Overview

Are you a passionate educator ready to make a significant impact on your school community? UNC Charlotte’s Master of School Administration (MSA) program empowers licensed K-12 teachers to transform into innovative, collaborative, and effective leaders.

Program Highlights

Develop essential leadership skills: Master curriculum development, educational law, instructional strategies, research methods, and technology integration.

Champion equity and excellence: Foster inclusive learning environments that empower all students to thrive in the 21st century.

Learn from experienced professionals: Benefit from a blended format with on-site and online learning led by renowned educators and practitioners.

Gain valuable field experience: Complete a year-long internship under the guidance of a principal-mentor and university supervisor.

Flexible and accessible: Pursue your degree part-time over three years at convenient off-campus locations in surrounding counties.

Program Contact

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  • Delivery
    Online & In Person
  • Credits
    36 Credit Hours
  • Admits
    Summer

Cohorts

The Cato College of Education offers a blended Master of School Administration consisting of site-based, online and hybrid courses at each of the sites below:

  • Cabarrus County: A.L. Brown High School, Kannapolis, NC
  • Cabarrus County: Jay M Robinson High School, Concord, NC
  • Gaston County: Gaston College, Dallas, NC
  • Iredell County: Unity Center, Statesville, NC
  • Mecklenburg County: Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte, NC
  • Rowan County: Jesse C. Carson High School, China Grove, NC
  • Union County: Porter Ridge High School, Indian Trail, NC
Courses

The Master of School Administration is offered in a cohort delivery for a total of 36 credit hours.

  • ADMN 6100: Fundamentals of Educational Leadership (3)
  • RSCH 6101: Educational Research Methods (3)
  • ADMN 6105: Legal Aspects of Schooling (3)
  • ELDT 5100: Technology Integration in Education (3)
  • ADMN 6161: The Principalship (3)
  • ADMN 6120: Instructional Leadership (3)
  • ADMN 6490: Internship and Seminar: Administration (3)
  • ADMN 6491: Internship and Seminar: Supervision (3)
  • ADMN 6410: Internship & Seminar Part I (3)
  • ADMN 6130: Supervision of Instruction (3)
  • ADMN 6420: Internship/Seminar Part II (3)
  • ADMN 6110: School Leadership and Management (3)

Internship

The internship challenges students to demonstrate a thorough and well-integrated understanding of the principles, research findings, and theories addressed in their coursework and to apply these to educational practice and leadership situations. The internship provides a multitude of opportunities for the intern to progressively develop administrative competence and experience.

Admissions

Admissions & Requirements:

  • Complete the Graduate School Admission Application.
  • A bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by a US Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor.
  • A Standard Professional 1 (SP1) Professional Educator’s License in any content area from North Carolina or its equivalent from another state or other relevant experience with official documentation.
  • Have completed a minimum of three years of successful teaching experience or other professional education experience.
  • All previous work beyond high school documenting an overall grade point average of at least 2.75 (based on a 4.0 scale).
  • Copies of unofficial transcripts from all academic coursework beyond high school.
  • Three recommendations from school administrators (must include principal) who can attest to your potential success as a school principal. Applicants will provide reference contact names and email addresses through the application portal.
  • A 1-2 page statement of purpose that addresses professional experiences, future goals, and an understanding that school administrators must possess a comprehensive conceptual, pedagogical, and reflective knowledge base.
  • A complete resume showing evidence of leadership.

Note: You will need to participate in an interview to determine knowledge of relevant education issues, and you will need to provide a writing sample from a given prompt as part of the interview process.

Application

Application Deadline: June 15 (summer)

Outlook

What Can You Do With A MSA From UNC Charlotte?

UNC Charlotte MSA graduates go on to work as principals, assistant principals and other education administrators in elementary and secondary schools. They can be found in school districts and educational providers such as:

  • Charlotte-Mecklenburg School
  • Cabarrus County Schools
  • Rowan-Salisbury Schools
  • Union County Public Schools
  • Stanly County Schools
  • Kannapolis City Schools
  • Gaston County Schools
  • North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Strong salary expectations

Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics research, collects job and salary data from UNC Charlotte graduates. Lightcast sampled graduates of our MSA program and found the average annual estimated wage to be approximately $90,800.

Why UNC Charlotte?

Why choose UNC Charlotte’s MSA program?

Nationally recognized program: Our program boasts a strong reputation for preparing exceptional school leaders.

Affordable tuition: Invest in your future with competitive tuition rates and financial aid options.

Supportive network: Connect with fellow educators and build a lasting professional network.

Advance your career: Graduates enjoy increased leadership opportunities and salary potential.

Tuition

Please note: Rates are subject to change.

Resident:

  • $288.82 per credit hour

Outside of NC Non-Resident:

  • Not Applicable

Non Resident:

  • $1,098.21 per credit hour

More information regarding tuition and fees »