DEPARTMENT MENU
Educational Leadership
MISSION:
The Educational Leadership program in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is an Educational Program Provider (EPP) whose mission is dedicated to prepare high quality professionals in the area of P-12 School Leadership, Educational Technology Leadership and Higher Education Administration who meet the diverse needs of the Bayou Region, state, and beyond.
High school principals, university vice presidents, and educational technology leaders want the same thing: the secret to improving their school’s instruction, operations and services.
The Nicholls educational leadership master’s degree program prepares future supervisors, superintendents and administrators to operate more successful schools through courses that teach technique and stress hands-on involvement. Students work under local school leaders to get first-hand experience of the ins and outs of the challenges facing today’s education system.
Educational leadership, which replaced the former education administration and supervision program, offers concentrations in K-12 school leadership, higher education administration and Educational Technology Leadership. Students analyze current school curricula, discuss the financial and legal side of education and learn how to plan for institutional effectiveness.
SCHOLARSHIP
SR Education Group, an online education publisher, has developed a scholarship program specifically for education graduate candidates. The scholarship award is $5,000, and is awarded four times per year. Please visit the following website for more information and to apply. https://www.optimal.com/
To be admitted into the educational leadership program at Nicholls, applicants should possess the following:
- A bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 on the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework attempted.
- A minimum score of 1,300 is required on the formula: GPA on last 60 undergraduate hours times 200, plus the GRE General Test score (taken before August 1, 2011).
A minimum score of 335 is required on the formula: GPA on last 60 undergraduate hours times 20, plus the GRE General Test score (taken after August 1, 2011).
Additional requirements for K-12 School Leadership and Educational Technology Leadership concentrations:
- Prior to entering the School Leadership or Ed Tech cohorts, students must complete a foundations core with a grade of B or better. The foundations core includes:
- EDFR 501 — Educational Research
- EDLE 501 — Introduction to Ethical Leadership and Assessment Techniques
- EDFR 504 — History and Philosophy of American Education
- Requirements for admission to the cohort include:
- documentation of previous leadership activities,
- letter of recommendation from school superintendent/private school equivalent or designee,
- letter of recommendation from school principal or designee,
- possession of Level II or Type B teaching certificate,
- letter from school principal willing to serve as a mentor and
- interview with program emphasis area faculty.
Additional requirements for Higher Education Administration concentration:
- Students who have a degree in education or who hold a teaching certificate are exempt from prerequisite course requirements. Students who do not have either of these credentials must complete six credit hours of prerequisite work. Students must enroll in EDUC 211 — The Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Child or EDCI 515 — Seminar in High Incidence Disabilities and EDUC 250 — Introduction to Elementary and Secondary Education or EDUC 421 — Current Practices and Strategies in Teaching during the first 12 hours scheduled.
- Additional requirements for admission include:
- three letters of recommendation and
- a satisfactory interview with program emphasis area faculty.
To begin the application process to the Nicholls Graduate School, individuals must submit the following at least one month prior to the semester of admission:
- Graduate Studies application form (apply electronically).
- Application fee of $20 (or $30 for international students), in the form of a check or money order payable to Nicholls State University.
Additionally, the following must be submitted to complete the application package:
- Official transcripts from all higher education institutions attended, must be sent directly from those institutions. Request transcript through Parchment.
- Official GRE score reports, must be sent from the Educational Testing Service to Nicholls State University.
- Three letters of recommendation.
Concentration Areas
K-12 School Leadership
K-12 school leaders face more pressure than ever. Not only are they held accountable for providing a healthy learning environment but also are challenged to increase school LEAP scores, improve classroom instruction and make better use of school facilities.
The K-12 school leadership concentration is a two-year program that combines innovative lectures with hands-on learning, most of which is done with a school principal mentor. Courses help future leaders improve curricula, manage school operations and facilities, create a positive culture for teaching and learning and use data to lead school changes. The program includes a practicum in school leadership for school improvement and a two-semester internship.
During the final semester, K-12 leadership students must pass a comprehensive examination requiring both essay and objective responses.
To be admitted into the educational leadership program, applicants should possess the following:
- A bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited instutition.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 on the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework attempted.
- A minimum score of 1,300 is required on the formula: GPA on last 60 undergraduate hours times 200, plus the GRE General Test score (taken before August 1, 200. –OR – A minimum score of 335 is required on the formula: GPA on last 60 undergraduate hours times 20, plus the GRE General Test score (taken after August 1, 2011).
- A satisfactory score of 3.5 on the writing component of the GRE
Additional requirements for K-12 School Leadership and Educational Technology Leadership concentrations:
- Prior to entering the School Leadership or Ed Tech Leadership cohorts, students must complete a foundations core with a grade of B or higher. The foundations core includes:
- EDFR 501 – Educational Research
- EDLE 501 – Introduction to Ethical Leadership and Assessment Techniques
- EDFR 504 – History and Philosophy of American Education
- Requirements for admission to the cohort include:
- Documentation of previous leadership activities
- Letter of recommendation from school superintendent/private school equivalent or designee
- Letter of recommendation from school principal or designee
- Possession of Level II or Type B teaching certificate
- Letter from school principal willing to serve as mentor
- Interview with program emphasis area faculty
- Manage the day-to-day activities of public and private elementary, middle and high schools.
- Oversee faculty and staff and make decisions that impact the overall educational success of the school.
- Guided by School Board
Dr. Mary Breaud
Assistant Professor of Education
244 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
Phone: 985.448.4341
Email: mary.breaud@nicholls.edu
Higher Education Administration
Why a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Higher Education Administration?
The curriculum offer students an opportunity to prepare for leadership positions in a variety of postsecondary institutions. The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook has projected postsecondary education administrative positions at a 10% growth rate. This is higher than all occupations and other management positions. See following link CLICK HERE
Candidates experience a high level of student-faculty engagement opportunities.
Candidates complete a Practicum in the administrative area that best aligns with their long term professional goals.
Candidates learn how to conduct research, develop professional position papers, engage in administrative and legal analysis including preparation of legal briefs, and engage in written and oral development activities demonstrating the ability to make ethical and qualified administrative decisions.
Curriculum/Schedule of Program Completion:
The program is 36 graduate hours, 21 hours of Foundation/Core courses and 15 credit hours in Higher Administration (HEAD) courses. Candidates may complete the program in a little as 17 months, with summer and extra session enrollment. Most candidates complete the program over a four semester period.
- A bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, and,
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 on the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework attempted, and,
- A GRE score of 300. GRE is waived for candidates with at least a 3.2 cumulative gpa, and,
- Three letters of recommendation.
- If the student has not earned a 300 on the GRE, the following may be used for admission purposes: a score of 335 using the GPA on last 60 undergraduate hours times 20, plus the GRE General Test score.
The University offers approximately 90-100 Graduate Assistantships. Early applying candidates will have the opportunity to secure an assistantship.
Assistantships provide a tuition waiver and actual work experience (20 hours per week in administrative positions at all levels of the college and university). Graduate Assistants receive a monthly stipend. Candidates are responsible for payment of fees.
The University will quickly process applications for admission. Candidates must apply on line at https://www.nicholls.edu/admissions/apply/
A copy of your transcript must be sent to the University. Nicholls graduates do not need to provide a copy of their transcript. Request transcript here. Candidates must send a copy of their GRE scores to the university. Candidates may sign-up to take the GRE at www.ETS.org Test sites are in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Please make sure to list Nicholls State University to receive your test scores.
Questions or Need for Additional Information:
Contact any of the following faculty advisors or administrative assistant:
Dr. Eugene Dial
Executive Director
Higher Education Concentration
Associate Professor
130 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
Phone: 985.448.4021
E-mail: eugene.dial@nicholls.edu
Dr. Leah Peterson
Assistant Professor and Assessment Coordinator
College of Education
leah.peterson@nicholls.edu
985.448.4320
242 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
Mrs. Wanda Porche
Administrative Assistant
223 Polk Hall
985-448-4327 or 448-4331
wanda.porche@nicholls.edu
Educational Technology Leadership
Why a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Concentration in Higher Education and Technology Leadership?
Administrative and staff positions at postsecondary education institutions has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor at a 10 percent growth rate over the next 10-20 years. This is higher than all occupations and other management positions. Most administrative/staff positions at postsecondary institutions will require candidates to have a basic understanding of higher education operations and be able to demonstrate leadership in the use of technology to implement and manage programs and services. This concentration will provide candidates the knowledge and skills necessary to meet administrative and technology challenges in postsecondary institutions.
Candidates complete an internship in Educational Technology in an administrative area that best aligns with their long term professional goals. Candidates also learn how to conduct research, develop professional position papers, engage in administrative and legal analysis including preparation of legal briefs, and engage in written and oral development activities demonstrating the ability to make ethical and qualified administrative decisions.
Curriculum/Schedule of Program Completion:
The program is 36 graduate hours, 12 hours of Foundation/Core courses, 12 hours of Educational Technology Leadership (EDTL) courses and 12 hours of Higher Education Administration (HEAD) courses. Candidates may complete the program in a little as 17 months, with summer and extra session enrollment. Most candidates complete the program over a four semester period.
M.Ed. Educational Technology Leadership Concentration Curriculum Sheet
To be admitted into the educational leadership program, applicants should possess the following:
- A bachelor’s degree or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution, and,
- A minimum GPA of 2.5 on the final 60 hours of undergraduate coursework attempted, and,
- A GRE score of 300. GRE is waived for candidates with at least a 3.2 cumulative gpa, and,
- Three letters of recommendation.
- If the student has not earned a 300 on the GRE, the following may be used for admission purposes: a score of 335 using the GPA on last 60 undergraduate hours times 20, plus the GRE General Test score.
The University offers approximately 90-100 Graduate Assistantships. Early applying candidates will have the opportunity to secure an assistantship.
Assistantships provide a tuition waiver and actual work experience (20 hours per week in administrative positions at all levels of the college and university). Graduate Assistants receive a monthly stipend. Candidates are responsible for payment of fees.
The University will quickly process applications for admission.
- Candidates must apply on line at https://www.nicholls.edu/admissions/apply/
- A copy of your transcript must be sent to the University. Request transcript here.
- Nicholls graduates do not need to provide a copy of their transcript.
- Candidates must send a copy of their GRE scores to the university.
- Candidates may sign-up to take the GRE at www.ETS.org
- Test sites are in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
- Please make sure to list Nicholls State University to receive your test scores.
Dr. Eugene Dial
Executive Director
Higher Education Concentration
Associate Professor
130 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
Phone: 985.448.4021
E-mail: eugene.dial@nicholls.edu
Dr. Cynthia B. Vavasseur, Associate Professor of Education
139 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
Phone: 985.448.4334
Email: cynthia.vavasseur@nicholls.edu
Website: www.drvtechhelp.weebly.com
Mrs. Wanda Porche
Administrative Assistant
223 Polk Hall
985-448-4327 or 448-4331
wanda.porche@nicholls.edu
CONTACT INFORMATION
College of Education and Behavioral Sciences
220 College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Building
P.O. Box 2053
Thibodaux, LA 70310
LOCATION
