Master of Arts in School Leadership

The Master of Arts in School Leadership program and the master's level add-on principal licensure programs are both new programs at Lenoir-Rhyne University. It is the intent of these programs to prepare leaders of 21st century schools. These programs are in response to both the need of surrounding schools districts as well as the need to the university and thus School of Education, to grow its programming. The Master of Arts in School Leadership has been through necessary program committees of the university and secured a favorable vote at the Faculty Assembly in December of 2010. Since this program is new, it is based on the latest research including Preparing Principals for a Changing World (Darling-Hammond, LaPointe, Meyerson, and Orr, 2010). In addition to national trends in principal preparation all of the coursework and internship experiences have been aligned to the "Standards for School Executive" adopted by the North Carolina State Board of Education in 2006.

The leadership programs at Lenoir-Rhyne University of fully committed to the following objectives:

1. The delivering a high quality program on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne University based on a 21st Century learning model. The program will place an emphasis on collaborating with the area school systems while continuing to explore new and innovative programs and partnerships.
2. The connection between theory and practice continues to an important aspect of all of our degree programs at Lenoir-Rhyne University. To that degree the Master of Arts in School leadership will be no different. Each course in the "Principal's Core" will contain practical learning experiences thus causing the candidate to interact with the principal, the university supervisor and their own individual PALS on a frequent basis. These interactions will encourage more collaboration between the schools and the university and will enhance the learning of the candidate. The designated internships will begin in the fall, continue in the spring and finally end in the summer. The experience of working with a principal to see one entire year will provide the candidate the opportunity to learn during one complete cycle.
3. Offering support to our graduates. L-R will continue to monitor and follow its graduates. Professional development sessions will be offered to our graduates at no cost during the year. Professional development will also be offered to all individuals in our partnership school districts based on need as determined by the superintendent of the school district and the university faculty.
4. The delivering of all classes on the main campus in Hickory during this initial stage. Instructors will use various delivery methods. The most frequently used method will be that of the blended method. This method offers both the advantage to meet fact-to-face, as well as meeting virtually. Class schedules and meeting times will be conducive to working professionals.

Course Descriptions»