Program Overview

The Master of Science degree in School Leadership, Management, and Administration (SLMA) reflects the College of Education’s historic mission and commitment to preparing leaders for P-12 schools. The Department of Leadership Studies offers a performance-based, 30 credit hour degree program for building and curriculum/program administrators. The program utilizes a variety of future ready technologies, authentic assessments, and personalized internships.

The SLMA program is a fully online program and uses a combination of online synchronous and asynchronous instruction (a virtual classroom). Candidates enjoy direct and individualized contact with their professors in small class settings.

While we welcome any out of state candidates, completion of any program, other than an initial licensure program, may not lead to licensure or endorsement in Arkansas or in the state in which you reside. It is your responsibility to check with your state’s department of education to determine if the license or endorsement requirements are met through the program of study. If you are a potential out of state candidate, please contact the program coordinator directly. 

Offered through the Department of Leadership Studies, graduate programs in school leadership are designed for individuals seeking Arkansas licensure as building administrators, curriculum administrators, or program administrators for special education or gifted-talented education. These programs are aligned with both state and national standards. The program is part of UCA’s Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation and is approved by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council. The program is designed to prepare school-based leaders who are (1) strong educators with a focus on students’ and adults’ needs and learning, (2) moral agents and social advocates for the children and communities they serve, (3) effective communicators with students, colleagues, and members of the community, (4) effective leaders of change, and (5) effective integrators of technology into the educational environment. The program is delivered online. An internship is required. Instruction and training is online for interns and mentors; however the internship is conducted in the field.

The professional degree, Master of Science (MS), is designed to meet the needs of professional educators for preparation as building level leaders and administrators as principals, vice principals, assistant principals, or curriculum/program administrators. Candidates may choose one of the two tracks for their master’s degree work: Building Administrator or Curriculum/Program Administrator. Both tracks require completion of a minimum of 30 hours of approved coursework that includes an internship. To be recommended for the related licensure endorsement, the candidate must present a satisfactory score on the Arkansas Department of Education mandated examination.