The Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership is a 30-credit program. It includes an advanced research course, generally the Seminar in Field Study Design.

All applicants should submit the following to the College of Graduate Studies and Research:

• A completed Application for Graduate Study,
• Verification of the baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university,
• Two official transcripts listing undergraduate/graduate degree(s) to be sent directly from the degree granting institution to the College of Graduate Studies and Research (including MSU students, undergraduates, faculty and staff), and
• Any additional information required for international students, if appropriate.

The GRE is not required. Upon receipt of these materials, the College of Graduate Studies and Research will forward the applicant's file to the Department of Educational Leadership for admission recommendation. Admissions are made each semester and all application materials must be received by the deadlines for the semester applied.

Successful applicants must have a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for the last two years of undergraduate study. Students pursuing teacher education must comply with all requirements of the College of Education.

For application forms and information contact:
College of Graduate Studies and Research
115 Alumni Foundation Center
Mankato , MN 56001
(507) 389-2321 (V) or
(800) 627-3529 (MRS/TTY)

Application for the Specialist Degree should be made upon completion of a Master's Degree.

Initial Assessment is completed in Ed Ad 633 School Administration. At the end of that course students submit to their advisor, their Program Learning Plan based on their assessment.

Course work is planned around the needs identified. Most students complete the same basic course work that is designed to assure all graduate students gain competency as needed.

Plan of Study must be completed and signed prior to application for the Internship experiences.

Internship (Clinical Experience) is related to the specific licensure program. It is generally completed during the final two semesters of a student's program. Application must be made a semester in advance. (July 1 for Fall Semester, November 1 for Spring Semester, April 1 for Summer Semester.) Situational Observation (Panel Review of Portfolio) generally occurs the final semester. Like the Internships, an application must be made during the semester preceding and the same deadlines apply.

Note: Students with a Master's Degree from another field may have a minimal number of deficiencies to complete. In most cases the deficiencies are from 3-9 semester credits.

The Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership may be used to pursue preparation for administrative licensure in the K-12 system. In 1997 the Minnesota Department of Education approved the Minnesota State Mankato program.

In Minnesota, licensure recommendations follow a successful panel review at the conclusion of the program. The review is based upon competency in the specific licensure field. Those competencies are cited in Minnesota Rule and have been written in an easy format which may be accessed through this website.