Program Overview

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Program Information

The Principal Corps is a 13-month program that develops educators into transformational principals and school leaders across P12 settings. The program blends rigorous coursework, field-based learning, and a full-time internship that immerses candidates in real-world school leadership.

Degree

The program offers two degree options:

• Ed.S. in Educational Leadership
• M.Ed. in Educational Leadership

Emphases

There are no emphases available for this program.

Required Credit Hours

The program requires 30 credit hours.

Program Type

The program is available as a Specialist Program and a Master's Program.

Program Location

The program is located in Oxford.

School

The program is offered by the School of Education.

Duration

The program lasts for 13 months.

What Youll Learn

The Principal Corps courses are centered around the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Program Standards. The program covers seven standards:

1. Mission, Vision, and Improvement: Empowering Visionary Leaders
2. Ethics and Professional Norms: Shaping Ethical, Reflective Professionals
3. Equity, Inclusiveness, and Cultural Responsiveness: Building Inclusive School Cultures
4. Learning and Instruction: Driving Excellence in Teaching and Learning
5. Community and External Leadership: Connecting Schools to Communities
6. Operations and Management: Mastering School Systems and Operations
7. Internship: Real-World Leadership Experience

Curriculum

The 13-month program begins in the first summer term and concludes at the end of the first summer term the following year. The program includes:

• A full-time administrative internship
• Intensive summer training
• Monthly classes during the fall and spring terms
• A curriculum that bridges leadership theory with practical application

Courses

The program includes the following courses:

• First Summer Term:
  • EDLD 610: Mission, Vision, & Core Values of Leadership
  • EDLD 614: Community & External Leadership
• Fall Term:
  • EDLD 613: Instructional Leadership
  • EDLD 617: School Law & Leadership
  • EDLD 611: Ethics & Professional Norms for Educational Leaders
• Spring Term:
  • EDLD 616: Data Informed Leadership
  • EDLD 618: Operations & Management of Leadership
  • EDLD 612: Equity & Cultural Leadership
• Summer Term (Year 2):
  • EDLD 619: School Turnaround
  • EDLD 615: Building Level Human Resources Leadership
• Internship: At least 400 internship hours are embedded into the coursework and will be completed under the mentorship of an Instructional Leader Mentor.

Admission Requirement and Process

To be considered for admission, candidates must submit the following materials:

• A competitive GRE score taken within the last five years
• A current resume highlighting leadership experience and accomplishments
• An endorsement letter from the current district superintendent
• Three letters of recommendation that demonstrate evidence of leadership potential
• Three required essays
• A statement of purpose outlining goals and motivation for pursuing school leadership

Cost and Funding

All admitted Principal Corps fellows receive full funding, which includes:

• Tuition, books, and university fees
• Summer housing at the University of Mississippi
• Lodging for summer term and when on campus during monthly classes during the fall and spring term

Join the Principal Corps

There are two ways to join the Mississippi Principal Corps:

1. A principal or superintendent can nominate leaders in their school or district.
2. Candidates can apply on their own with the endorsement of their current district superintendent.

Principal Corps by the Numbers

• 67 Mississippi school districts work with Principal Corps graduates.
• 33 Mississippi school districts employ two or more Principal Corps graduates.
• 10 Mississippi school districts employ 4 or more Principal Corps graduates.
• 77% of all Principal Corps graduates currently work as Principals, Assistant Principals, and Central Office Administrators in Mississippi schools.
• 175 Mississippi Principal Corps graduates.

Success with the Principal Corps

The Principal Corps has produced dynamic new instructional leaders, with many alumni serving as principals, assistant principals, and central office administrators in Mississippi schools.

Hear from Our Graduates

Graduates of the Principal Corps share their experiences and the impact of the program on their careers.

Previous Cohorts

Meet the leaders shaping Mississippi schools, including previous cohorts of the Mississippi Principal Corps.

Meet the Current Principal Corps Cohort

Get to know the current cohort of Principal Corps students, including their backgrounds and interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about the Principal Corps program, including admission requirements, program structure, and benefits.