Administration and Supervision, Higher Education, M.Ed., Ed.S.
The major in Administration and Supervision includes a specialization in higher education, which is designed for graduate students from junior or community colleges and/or four-year institutions who are interested in pursuing study in the area of higher education. Faculty members in the Womack Educational Leadership Department work with students who choose to specialize in higher education to assure that they complete requirements including a foundations core, a specialized core, and elective hours in order to develop a specialized professional knowledge base and skills in the student’s chosen area. Upon enrollment in the Higher Education program, students will select either the research path or practicum path.
Bennett sought for his abilities and qualifications
Dr. Rodney D. Bennett, the tenth president of The University of Southern Mississippi, began his educational career at MTSU, earning his undergraduate degree in Mass Communication before pursuing graduate work in the Womack Educational Leadership Department in the 1990s. He holds both the M. Ed. and Ed. S. in Administration and Supervision. His professional career includes work in student affairs at MTSU and at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C. Prior to accepting the post at Southern Miss, Bennett was vice president for student affairs at the University of Georgia. According to news coverage, Ed Blakeslee, president of the college board that oversaw Bennett’s selection at Southern Miss, said that his leadership ability, qualifications, and experience in money management attracted the selection committee. Blakeslee concluded with “He is a man of integrity.” Bennett serves as both chief executive officer and principal educational officer at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Student experiences and degree open doors
Matthew Hibdon started work on the Masters of Education in Administration and Supervision of Higher Education within the Womack Educational Leadership Department in 2012. He had experience working in five different campus offices during his undergraduate career, and being in the M.Ed. program allowed him the opportunity to gain experience within three new offices, including the College of Education. He served as a graduate assistant during his time in the program, assisting the coordinator of the departmental off-campus graduate programs. Hibdon was very successful in his graduate work and developed a thorough understanding of the units and operations of the University. As a result, upon graduation he was employed by MTSU as an academic advisor. He currently serves in that role in the College of Liberal Arts.
Graduates from the Administration and Supervision program with the higher education specialization may be employed in a variety of positions at universities and community colleges. Examples include, but are not limited to,
- Academic advisors
- Admissions office representatives
- Recruiters
- Scheduling center officials
- Student affairs administrators
MTSU graduates are employed in universities, community colleges, and technology centers in Tennessee and other states; examples include
- Columbia State Community College
- Middle Tennessee State University
- Motlow State Community College
- Tennessee Technology Centers
- University of Memphis
- University of Mississippi
- University of Southern Mississippi
The Womack Educational Leadership Department offers both the Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) with a major in Administration and Supervision. The specialization in Higher Education can lead to either an Ed.S. or M.Ed. Students choose either a research or practicum path.
There is also an Instructional Leader Licensure program specialization delivered through off-campus cohorts meeting at various locations.
Also under the Administration and Supervision major is a concentration in Agricultural Education Leadership leading to the M.Ed.
For complete curriculum details, click on the REQUIREMENTS tab above.
Other graduate degrees
The Womack Educational Leadership Department offers a major in Curriculum and Instruction leading to the Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.) with a specialization in Culture, Cognition, and the Learning Process.
Also available are both on- and off-campus cohorts.
A Master of Education (M.Ed.) with a major in Curriculum and Instruction is offered; also available is a concentration in English as a Second Language.
The major in Library Science leads to a Master in Library Science (M.L.S.).
A major in Professional Counseling includes programs leading to an M.Ed., with concentrations also available in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling.
Administration and Supervision, Higher Education Specialization, M.Ed. Administration and Supervision, Higher Education Specialization, Ed.S.
Administration and Supervision, Higher Education Specialization, M.Ed.
James Huffman, Program Director
(615) 898-2855
Jim.Huffman@mtsu.edu
The M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision offers concentrations in Library Science and Agricultural Education Leadership as well as specializations in K-12 public school, higher education, and a nonlicensure program.
Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Education in Administration and Supervision with a specialization in higher education requires
- a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test, the Graduate Record Examination, or the Praxis II (Principles of Learning and Teaching) or a valid Tennessee Teacher license;
- an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
- teacher licensure—the licensure requirements will be waived for the higher education specialization and under other special circumstances.
Students pursuing an M.Ed. degree must be fully admitted by the Educational Leadership Graduate Admissions Board prior to the completion of their initial semester of coursework.
Application Procedures
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicant must
- submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
- submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
- submit three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s potential on completing the Master of Education degree in Administration and Supervision;
- submit official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or a copy of the teaching license.
Degree Requirements
Candidate must
- complete 33 semester hours. No more than 30 percent of the total degree hours may be dually listed as undergraduate/graduate hours (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
- successfully complete a written comprehensive examination during the semester of graduation (exam may be retaken once).
Curriculum: Administration and Supervision, Higher Education
Candidate must complete 33 hours in the following course of study:
Required Courses (9 hours)
- FOED 6020 - Educational Foundations 3 credit hours
FOED 6020 - Educational Foundations
3 credit hours
Assists educational personnel in developing contexts and concepts in which educational problems and issues may be understood through awareness of findings in humanistic and behavioral studies.
- FOED 6610 - Analysis and Application of Educational Research 3 credit hours
FOED 6610 - Analysis and Application of Educational Research
3 credit hours
Qualitative and quantitative research applicable to the field of education. Both producers and consumers of educational research with a literature review presented to support possible solutions to significant hypotheses or problems.
- SPSE 6080 - Studies in Leadership 3 credit hours
SPSE 6080 - Studies in Leadership
3 credit hours
Roles, responsibilities understandings, and behavior patterns in effective administrative and supervisory personnel. Developing sensitivity to individuals, the nature and structures of groups, and the problems of communication within and among groups and individuals.
Specialized Core (12 hours)
- FOED 6580 - The College Student 3 credit hours
FOED 6580 - The College Student
3 credit hours
The changing nature of the college student with emphasis on institutional efforts to provide for the development of the student.
- SPSE 6530 - Administration of Higher Education 3 credit hours
SPSE 6530 - Administration of Higher Education
3 credit hours
Complexity of the structure of higher education (national, regional, state, and local) and how it is organized. Attention given to the interrelationships of the institution and its internal and external constituencies.
- SPSE 6600 - Microcomputers in Educational Administration 3 credit hours
SPSE 6600 - Microcomputers in Educational Administration
3 credit hours
Offers preparation for incorporating microcomputer technology into the school work-place. Student designs a model school administrative unit by applying the microcomputer skills and understanding acquired.
- SPSE 6210 - Legal Issues in Higher Education 3 credit hours
SPSE 6210 - Legal Issues in Higher Education
3 credit hours
The legal framework as it pertains to higher education and its operations. Special attention given to rights of students as well as professors. Law cases, constitutional provisions, attorney general's opinions, rules and regulations of the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee Board of Trustees, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission studied and discussed.
Electives (12 hours)
To be selected with approval of advisor
Program Notes
Students taking courses for licensure renewal, add-on endorsements, or "plus 30" upgrade on teacher licensure should register as non-degree-seeking students. Students enrolling in 6000-level courses must hold a bachelor's degree, and students enrolling in 7000-level courses must hold a master's degree. Non-degree-seeking students cannot register for 7000-level courses without departmental permission.
Candidate must
- file a degree plan with the College of Graduate Studies prior to admission into the program;
- file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the semester in which the student intends to graduate.
Administration and Supervision, Higher Education Specialization, Ed.S.
James Huffman, Program Director
(615) 898-2855
Jim.Huffman@mtsu.edu
The Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision offers specializations in higher education and instructional leader licensure (K-12 administrator license).
Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.
Admission Requirements
Admission into the Educational Specialist in Administration and Supervision with a specialization in higher education program requires
- a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test, the Graduate Record Examination, or the Praxis II (Principles of Learning and Teaching) or a valid Tennessee Teacher license;
- an earned master’s degree from an accredited university or college;
- teacher licensure—the licensure requirements will be waived for the specialization in higher education as well as under other special circumstances.
NOTE: Students pursuing an Ed.S. degree must be fully admitted to the program prior to the completion of their initial semester of coursework.
Application Procedures
All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
Applicant must
- submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
- submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
- submit three letters of recommendation addressing the applicant's potential for completing the Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision;
- submit official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or a copy of the teaching license.
Degree Requirements
Candidate must
- complete a minimum of 30 semester hours with a minimum of 15 semester hours at the 7000 level (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
- successfully complete a written comprehensive examination or oral presentation of research project during the semester of graduation (exam may be retaken once).
Curriculum: Administration and Supervision, Higher Education
Candidate must complete 30 hours in the following course of study:
Required Courses (12 hours)
- SPSE 7200 - Administrative Behavior: Theory into Practice 3 credit hours
SPSE 7200 - Administrative Behavior: Theory into Practice
3 credit hours
An exploration of the relevant new developments in the field of educational administration, including recent concepts and research.
- FOED 7060 - Seminar in Educational Foundations 3 credit hours
FOED 7060 - Seminar in Educational Foundations
3 credit hours
Opportunities to think reflectively and critically on the historical, philosophical, and psychological foundations of education and attendant implications.
Select either research path
- SPSE 7010 - Educational Research Methodology 3 credit hours
SPSE 7010 - Educational Research Methodology
3 credit hours
Designing research studies, including development of understandings, as well as skills and techniques needed in gathering, structuring, interpreting and presenting data required for educational research. SPSE 7010 is a prerequisite for enrollment in FOED 7610, which is recommended to be taken the following semester.
- FOED 7610 - Directed Individual Educational Research 3 credit hours
FOED 7610 - Directed Individual Educational Research
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: SPSE 7010. It is recommended that this class be taken the semester following enrollment in SPSE 7010. Culmination of research sequence (FOED 6610 and SPSE 7010) which requires studying a professional educational problem through completing and presenting a research project.
or the practicum path
- SPSE 7190 - Professional Field Experience 6 credit hours
SPSE 7190 - Professional Field Experience
6 credit hours
Provides direct field experience in appropriate areas of education in collaboration with the University, the school mentor, and the student.
Specialized Core (12 hours)
Select with an advisor with at least 3 hours at the 7000 level
Electives (6 hours)
Selected with advisor
Program Notes
Students taking courses for licensure renewal, add-on endorsements, or "plus 30" upgrade on teacher licensure should register as non-degree-seeking students. Students enrolling in 6000-level courses must hold a bachelor's degree, and students enrolling in 7000-level courses must hold a master's degree. Non-degree-seeking students cannot register for 7000-level courses without departmental permission.
Candidate must
- file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to entry into the program;
- file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.
Elementary Education
1 credit hour credit
Overview of the effective components of literacy tutoring. Six modules cover the important aspects of literacy instruction as defined by the Common Core Standards. Modules will be delivered in an online format while instructional practice will take place in onsite sessions. Offers preparation to individuals without an educational background to deliver high quality literacy instruction.
1 credit hour credit
Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education. Field-based course that builds upon previous experiences and coursework. Students will implement content pedagogical strategies into teaching as well as other field experiences in elementary schools.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to teacher education program; MATH 1010, MATH 1530, MATH 1630, MATH 1710, MATH 1720, MATH 1730, MATH 1810, or MATH 1910; MATH 1410 and MATH 1420. Offers preparation to pre-service elementary and middle school teachers for teaching mathematics.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to Teacher Education program. Develops an understanding of the digital landscape and implications for the future of education. Explores the characteristics of a digital learner and how teaching strategies can be enhanced to support their learning experiences.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission to Teacher Education, PSCI 4030, and BIOL 3000. Corequisite: READ 4015. Teacher candidates introduced to issues and trends that influence the areas of science, social studies, and English language arts (ELA) as well as methods, techniques, strategies, and materials that will enable them to integrate and teach these content areas successfully. Explores these topics via lecture, investigations (problem-based learning projects and scientific inquiry), lab, and field experiences in local elementary schools.
2 credit hours
Corequisites: ELED 4350 and READ 4130. Familiarizes teacher candidates with writing-to-learn techniques that can be used across the curriculum to assist students in thinking and processing new and existing knowledge.
12 credit hours
Full-day supervised teaching experience of 15 weeks duration in a public school classroom. Pass/Fail.
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Admission into Residency I coursework. Corequisite: ELED 4350. Designed to better prepare teacher candidates specifically in the areas of academic success for all learners, differentiated instruction, assessment, and intervention frameworks such as RTI2. Teacher candidates must be officially admitted into the K-5 Residence I program and will work with elementary students at a local school.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to Residency I semester. Corequisite: ELED 4350. Integrates elementary level content with classroom and standardized assessments to enable the planning, design, and implementation of assessment driven instruction.
1 to 3 credit hours
A problem-oriented course, on or off campus, planned and designed for individuals, a school faculty, school system, or other professional groups, which will provide opportunities for in-service education related to assessed needs. Credit toward an undergraduate degree will be limited to six semester hours.
3 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education program. Familiarizes teacher candidates with classroom management strategies.
NOTE: Students must select a specific Residency I section and sign up for all corresponding classes in that particular section. Classes may not be selected from multiple sections.
6 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education program. Strategies and techniques for guiding the learning of elementary school children. Development and use of materials in elementary classrooms with emphasis on explanation and experimentation. Laboratory work and weekly seminar.
NOTE: Students must select a specific Residency I section and sign up for all corresponding classes in that particular section. Classes may not be selected from multiple sections.
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Admission to teacher education program. Familiarizes teacher candidates with classroom management strategies:4-8, best practices of social studies instruction, and the integration of both with classroom and standardized assessments to enable the planning, design, and implementation of a standards-based social studies curriculum.
NOTE: Students must select a specific Residency I section and sign up for all corresponding classes in that particular section. Classes may not be selected from multiple sections.
Contact and Student Information
Dr. James Huffman
Jim.Huffman@mtsu.edu
615-898-2855 or 615-898-2331
Dr. James Huffman
Jim.Huffman@mtsu.edu
615-898-2855 or 615-898-2331
Department of Educational Leadership
Middle Tennessee State University
MTSU Box 91
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
College of Graduate Studies
Middle Tennessee State University
MTSU Box 42
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132
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