USC Aiken Launches Online Masters in Educator Leadership

Aiken, SC (06/29/2018) — Area educators renewing their South Carolina teaching certificates can now earn a master's degree online from the University of South Carolina Aiken in educator leadership.

The program will be offered beginning this fall. Teachers, K-12, who must take continuing education courses as part of their recertification are perfectly suited for this flexible program, which is taught primarily by USC Aiken faculty.

"The master's degree in educator leadership prepares educators to take on a variety of leadership roles in their buildings or districts," said Dr. Erin Besser, program coordinator.

"The program is intended to develop administrative skills such as management, supervision and decision-making but also will focus on preparing school leaders to be instructional leaders, improve instruction and, in turn, student learning."

The program focuses on building collaborative, professional learning environments among peers as well as continuous improvement through data-driven decision-making. Educators will learn to use test data to improve curricula and students' academic performance, learning and retention.

Besser emphasizes that this program is geared for those teachers aiming to improve their effectiveness in the classroom, who may take on additional leadership roles in their subject or grade areas within their schools and who are committed to developing enriching and engaging curricula based on data.

"The program will prepare these educational leaders to have a deeper understanding of the best practices in aligning curriculum, instruction and assessment," said Dr. Judy Beck, dean of the School of Education.

"Area educators can further their education, attain an economic benefit, and enhance their skills. The educators will be empowered to improve their classrooms and schools thereby increasing the academic achievement of the children they serve. The entire region will benefit as the hallmark of healthy communities are quality schools brought about by excellent educators. "

The electives, or strands, offered through this master's program include: English for speakers of other languages, project-based learning, gifted and talented education, educational technology, literacy, and ECE special education.

"All strands within the educator leadership master's program lead to either an add-on certification or endorsement by the Department of Education," Besser said.

"While the completion of one strand, or 12 elective credit hours, is required, students are encouraged to complete as many of the certification areas as they desire."

The program and associated curricula were developed in partnership with local school district administrators and their faculty and staff. Some of them endorsed the program with state education officials to ensure the approval of the master's program by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

"Developing the proposed programs and securing the final approvals were collaborative efforts," said Dr. Jeff Priest, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

"In particular, I am grateful to the School of Education and the Department of Mathematical Sciences for their efforts in pulling these successful program proposals together. Many thanks to the school superintendents of Aiken, McCormick and Saluda Counties who lobbied on our behalf, meeting with members of the CHE to highlight the importance of the M.Ed. to their districts.

"Superintendents from Orangeburg, Barnwell, Bamberg, Edgefield and Lexington counties wrote letters outlining the need for the master's program and the anticipated impact it will make in their schools."

Priest added that five years ago, the university conducted a study to determine the workforce needs of this region. These new degree programs are a result of that effort and are part of the university's commitment to develop a relevant, fully equipped workforce, which was a goal identified in the last strategic planning process.

The educator leadership master's program is available to those educators certified in South Carolina and is intended to be a two-year program. The tuition at USC Aiken for this online degree may be $140 cheaper per credit hour than some comparable programs in the state, which may equate to a savings of approximately $3,600 during the course of the program.

For more about the program and the requirements for admission, go to:

https://www.usca.edu/education/programs-of-study/graduate-programs/educator-leadership/ .

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