Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership

Once a candidate has been approved to continue into the dissertation year, he/she must remain continuously enrolled in the dissertation course(s). This enrollment ensures that the candidate has full access to materials and faculty expertise. Candidates may complete and defend by the end of the third semester. However, should a candidate require more time, the candidate must apply for Extended Dissertation Project Status. The Dissertation Committee will monitor the status of any project in this situation. The School reserves the right to reassign or realign any project which enters an extended status to ensure that the project and data remain timely and relevant.

If a candidate continues his/her research past the three semesters allotted and does not enroll in 3 hours of extended capstone seminar each semester, the candidate will be dropped from the program.

Candidates must complete their Ed.D. degree within five years of initial program enrollment. This ensures that a candidate's experiences and research are timely and relevant.

In 2001 the North Carolina Board of Education and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction began to look at the skills and abilities needed by public school children to be successful citizens and workers in an emerging global economy and the skills needed by educators as well. Since that time, a new set of standards for 21st-century learners has evolved and been adopted by the state of North Carolina. All institutions of higher education who offer this program have been mandated to have their coursework reflect the newly approved 21st-century standards. Wingate established its Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership program in 2006 and its revised program was approved by the NC DPI in October 2010. Points of emphasis (evidences) in the revised program are defined as the following six evidences: positive impact on student learning; teacher empowerment and leadership; community involvement and engagement; organizational management; school culture and safety; school improvement. These evidences are integrated into the coursework requirements and are manifested throughout the course of study. The previous program portfolio was replaced with a Standards-Based Program Portfolio that reflects an understanding of the new Executive Leader Standards. Students work with their internship supervisors to complete evidences for this Standards-Based Portfolio. This program qualifies one to earn a North Carolina Class “M” license as a K -12 school principal.

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Education in Educational Leadership (K–12) program, an applicant must: • Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university • Have an undergraduate major in Education or class “A” licensure (or equivalent) to teach in public schools (3 years of experience is preferred) • Have a 3.00 (“B”) GPA or higher during the last two years of undergraduate work or a 3.00 GPA or higher in the education major • Submit an online Graduate Education application form • Provide three (3) recommendations from administrative or supervisory personnel • Provide an essay or statement of intent for the MAEd in Educational Leadership program • Submit official transcripts of all previous academic work beyond high school. (It is the applicant’s responsibility to have all transcripts sent directly from each institution attended.) • Submit copy of teaching license(s)