 | The vision of the Henderson State University Educational Leadership (EDL) program is centered on a strong commitment to exemplary teaching, leadership, research and services in order to produce effective building and district level leaders who are dedicated to public education and outstanding academic performance. Rigorous academic standards are evident in each program component and highly qualified professors of educational leadership facilitate the learning process in collaboration with outstanding educational and business leaders. The admissions procedure requires the candidate to carefully defend his or her desire to be a school leader, as well as to examine personal motivations and potential, through a written and oral application process. |
The programs are standards, as well as research, driven and delivered through instructional modules aligned to the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) expectations. Individual accountability and interpersonal relationships are both important program components. Maximum public school involvement is essential, as evidenced through instructional collaboration, as well as internship and mentoring experiences.
The exit process allows the candidate to demonstrate learning competencies in each of the standards through the written and oral defense of an extensive program portfolio.
The program has a mission to empower building and district level educators to positively impact student achievement and quality of life through teaching, learning, service and leadership while recognizing that the main focus of school leaders is increased student achievement.
The HSU educational leadership program beliefs center on the following: recruitment and utilization of instructors who are truly academic leaders; creation of a climate conducive to learning and a culture of collaborative ownership; modeling of research based practice; dedication to program vision, mission and lifelong learning; admittance of qualified prospective leaders who are committed to task and the seeking of active partnerships to provide realistic teaching and learning.
There are two degree programs. The M.S.E. degree program in educational leadership includes 36 hours of leadership training designed to provide training for building level leaders. This program was carefully designed to prepare the candidate to assume the role of principal or assistant principal in our schools. The HSU Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree program in educational leadership was initiated in 2004 after a careful planning process which included input from a diverse stakeholder group. The program consists of six modules or 30 hours of post masters course work designed to provide training for the senior level administrator or superintendent or assistant superintendent in our school systems.
In addition, HSU also offers a licensure non-degree program for the building level leader or principal which is designed to accommodate candidates who have a master’s degree in a related field and wish to add the building level licensure. In 2005, HSU was approved to also offer a licensure program for curriculum program administrators who wish to be licensed as special education supervisors, curriculum specialists, content area specialist, career and technical specialists and gifted and talented supervisors.
In all academic preparation, all HSU programs value the collaboration and expertise of professional public school mentors throughout the preparation program. The mentoring component in the academic advisory process is critical to the candidates’ learning and professional success. The mentor is carefully chosen by the candidate in consultation with the academic advisor and possesses a repertoire of skills that aid the candidate in personal and professional growth throughout the program.
How is the HSU program unique?
Classes are modular with emphasis on continual learning without duplication of information.
Professors work together in a collegial atmosphere and continually plan program improvement through faculty retreats and attendance at conferences throughout the year.
Candidates are placed in cohort groups so that a support network of colleagues is available at all times.
Summer coursework is offered in a nontraditional instructional format with 45 hours of coursework completed in ten (10) days with candidates dedicating extensive and intensive time with fellow classmates and professors.
Innovative programming is the norm. One example is the attendance of all candidates enrolled in the Curriculum Strategies class for building level leaders at the Arkansas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development conference as a part of the class instruction. Another example is the requirement that the Ed.S. candidates attend and have class meetings at the fall and summer Arkansas Association for Educational Administrators conference. Also, all candidates enrolled in the law and political systems courses at both the building and district level are required to attend a legislative day at the Capitol.
During the first module of the building level program, candidates are required to research and write an article for publication. HSU candidates have been widely published in state, regional and national publications.
A fall mini-conference is held for the educational specialist students featuring a nationally recognized leader to address current trends at the senior executive level.
A spring educational leadership conference includes all HSU leadership candidates and faculty and features a keynote address by an outstanding leader in addition to breakout sessions on numerous current topics and presented by the HSU present and former educational leadership candidates.
The Ed.S. program courses are offered totally in an online and week-end delivery structure.
A reception is held each spring to honor all graduating educational leadership students. At this event, the educational specialist candidates are “hooded” by the HSU President and advisor.
Classes are offered in a hybrid format utilizing both on site and online instruction. All classes utilize a listserv so that communication with professors and class members is constant.
Exit portfolio presentations are individual opportunities for the candidate to demonstrate and defend total program learning which is aligned to state and national standards. This meeting is hosted by the candidate with a minimum of two educational leadership professors, the candidate’s advisor, mentor and an educational leadership program colleague. The portfolio is submitted to the advisor in advance of the meeting for a thorough scoring according to the ISLLC standards.
Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) candidates complete six (6) hours of research and statistics and are required to write and defend a scholarly paper or thesis on an educational topic which includes an active research component. The thesis defense includes attendance by the candidate’s advisor, one other educational leadership professor, the candidate’s mentor and an external evaluator who is chosen from the HSU graduate faculty. All members of the thesis defense team read and offer a detailed critique of the candidate’s thesis.