Master of Science in Education / Lead Teacher
The Master of Science in Education/Lead Teacher was developed to prepare teachers to assume the role of lead teacher without seeking administrative certification . Additionally, this program offers curriculum and administrative coursework that will permit graduates to remain in the classroom, or enter the field of administration, through the completion of additional courses and certification requirements.
The Master of Science in Education/Lead Teacher is a post baccalaureate degree that will provide practicing educators the opportunity to gain the necessary skills to become lead teachers / department chairs in their building without completing a degree in educational administration.
The Lead Teacher required courses are divided into three segments:
- The first segment consists of fifteen hours (15) of educational administration courses designed to give the student knowledge in the areas of supervision of teachers, law, finance, buildings, organization and change, school administration and curriculum from an administrative perspective.
- The second segment consists of eighteen hours (18) of educational courses designed to give the student knowledge in the areas of educational psychology, educational research, curriculum design, improvement of instruction, technology and spiritual issues in public schools.
- The third segment is a three-hour (3) clinical field study. The study will require the student to chair one aspect of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) from beginning to end. The process will give the student valuable leadership experience, an opportunity to put into practice classroom knowledge in the areas of working with a variety of publics, budget, research, change and organizational behavior.
For the current schedule of offerings please see the Schedules and Course Descriptions page.
Admission Process:
Step 1 : Submit the following materials to the Office of Graduate Studies:
- An official transcript showing completion of a bachelor's degree.
- Official transcript(s) showing any previous graduate study.
- A Graduate Studies application form.
- One of the following:
- A copy of the applicant's Missouri Teaching Certificate (PC-1) issued after September 1, 1991, or
- An official report of passing scores made on the PRAXIS II or
- An official report of passing scores made on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
(An M .S. degree from an accredited school may be substituted for testing requirement.)- A $25.00 application fee if not an SBU graduate.
Step 2 : Admission Questionnaire
An admission questionnaire, including a handwritten statement describing the applicant's motivation for pursuing the master's degree at Southwest Baptist University, must be submitted by the applicant.Step 3 : Committee Action
After all admissions materials are filed, the Graduate Admissions Committee will meet and determine the admissibility of the candidate. One of the following actions will be taken:
- The candidate may be unconditionally admitted to the graduate program at Southwest Baptist University.
- The candidate may not be admitted to the graduate program and may not pursue a graduate degree at Southwest Baptist University.
- The candidate may be conditionally admitted and may proceed to pursue the appropriate master's degree if stated conditions are continuously met.
The Graduate Admissions Committee may grant conditional admission to persons who do not fully meet all admissions criteria, but in the view of the committee demonstrate potential for completing the program and making a worthy contribution through teaching or building level administration.
Step 4 : Notification
The Office of Graduate Studies will notify the applicant in writing of the decision of the Graduate Admissions Committee. If the applicant is admitted conditionally, the conditions for continuing in the program will be listed and communicated in writing. An adviser will be announced in the letter. Students should communicate with their assigned adviser as soon as possible.
