Department of Educational Leadership

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEPARTMENT 

Vision 

The HSU Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.) as well as building level leader and curriculum program administrator programs of study, through continuous commitment to exemplary teaching, leadership, research and service, produce effective educational leaders dedicated to education and outstanding candidate performance. Academic standards are evident in each program component and highly qualified professors of educational leadership facilitate the learning process.  The admissions procedure requires the candidate to carefully defend the 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 courses aligned to the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC),  the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and the National Education Technology Standards for Administrators (Nets-A).  Individual accountability and interpersonal relationships are both important program components.  Maximum public school involvement is essential, as evidenced through the internship and mentorship 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 Educational Leadership Department supports the Teachers College mission by focusing on communication, professionalism, knowledge and best practices.  The department also focuses on the following dispositions: 

1. Valuing diversity 
2. Fairness to all 
3. Having a sense of efficacy 
4. Being reflective learners 
5. Emphasizing professionalism 

Mission Statement: 

The HSU Educational Leadership MSE program prepares candidates for P-12 building level leadership and curriculum administrator roles and empowers them to work collaboratively with diverse populations.  Our stakeholders include parents, community, civic organizations, business, media, teachers, and students.  The program is designed to improve the leader’s skills in impacting student achievement and the quality of life for students through excellence in teaching, learning, service, technology, and leadership. 

3 Goals: 

1. Knowledge: To graduate students with the knowledge necessary to pass the building level leader licensure examination (SLLA) and to succeed as a building level administrator. 
2. Skills/Applications: To graduate students with the necessary leadership skills and applications to succeed as a building level administrator. 
3. Collaboration: To graduate building level leaders with the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders of a school district. 

EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST (Ed.S.) 

BACKGROUNDSince 1978, Henderson State University (HSU) has provided exceptional educational programming for school administrators at the master degree level as well as for post baccalaureate students seeking certification for the principalship. Henderson’s school leadership program is recognized throughout Arkansas educational circles and Henderson graduates are highly recruited as educational leaders.

To ensure that graduate students preparing for senior level educational administration positions or superintendency have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills and dispositions  necessary to be productive and successful school leaders, Henderson is committed to the development and delivery of an exemplary post master’s degree program in educational leadership. 

The Educational Leadership Department supports the Teachers College mission by focusing on communication, professionalism, knowledge and best practices.  The department also focuses on the following dispositions: 

1. Valuing diversity 
2. Fairness to all 
3. Having a sense of efficacy 
4. Being reflective learners 
5. Emphasizing professionalism 

The Henderson Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) program in school leadership is an innovative response to an increased demand for prepared school leaders for the 21st Century. Careful planning for this degree program included involvement with Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE), other Arkansas four-year institutions offering the Ed.S. degree, and a diverse group of instate stakeholders including the Arkansas Leadership Academy and the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA). The Henderson program incorporates the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC), the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and  the National Educational Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS-A). 

Mission Statement: 

The HSU Educational Leadership Educational Specialist program prepares candidates for P-12 district level leadership roles and empowers them to work collaboratively with diverse populations.  Our stakeholders include parents, community, civic organizations, business, media, teachers, and students.  The program is designed to improve the leader’s skills in impacting student achievement and the quality of life for students through excellence in teaching, learning, service, technology, and leadership. 

3 Goals: 

1. Knowledge: To graduate students with the knowledge necessary to pass the superintendent licensure examination (SSA) and to succeed as a district level administrator. 
2. Skills/Applications: To graduate students with the necessary leadership skills/application to succeed as a district level administrator. 
3. Collaboration: To graduate district level leaders with the ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders of a school district.  

LINK to Educational Specialist Degree and District Level Licensure Program 

LINK to MSE - Building Level, POS - Building Level, CPA Curriculum, CPA Special Education degrees and licensure 

Contact Information

Dr. Pat Weaver - weaverp@hsu.edu 

Mr. Don Benton - bentond@hsu.edu 

Ms. Stacy Townsend - townses@hsu.edu