Overview

The Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration is a program that combines educational leadership with an administrative credential program. Upon successful completion of the program and final assessment, candidates receive a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Administration and a California Preliminary Administrative Services (Tier-1) Credential.  

Graduates of the Educational Administration Program can successfully provide the following services in California public schools as authorized by the CCTC for the holders of the Administrative Services Credentials:

• Develop, coordinate, and assess instructional programs;
• Evaluate certificated and classified personnel;
• Provide student discipline, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion;
• Provide certificated and classified employee discipline, including but not limited to suspension, dismissal, and reinstatement;
• Supervise certificated and classified personnel;
• Manage school site, district, or county level fiscal services;
• Recruit, employ, and assign certificated and classified personnel;
• Develop, coordinate, and supervise student support services, including but not limited to extracurricular activities, pupil personnel services, health services, library services, and technology support services;
• Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of instructional services at the school site level;
• Evaluate certificated personnel employed at the school site level, with the exception of the site administrator;
• Student and certificated personnel discipline at the school site level.

​Requirements for the Program 

​Unit Requirements: A minimum of  36 units is required, including at least 36 units in 5000-level courses and an acceptable digital portfolio presented through EDAD 5290   and Comprehensive Exam (EDAD 5960 ), or a thesis (EDAD 5990A , EDAD 5990B ), or a project (EDAD 5995A , EDAD 5995B ). There is a limit on credit that may be earned in variable-unit courses. See Restrictions on Credit Earned in Variable Unit Courses in the College of Education.

Residency Requirement: at least 22 semester units for the Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration program must be completed in residence at Cal State LA.

Admission to the Program 

1. Meet the general university requirements for admission to graduate study (Title V):

• Have completed a four-year college course of study and hold an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association, or shall have completed equivalent academic preparation as determined by appropriate university authorities;
• Be in good academic standing at the last college or university attended;
• Have earned a grade point average of at least 2.5 on the last degree completed by the candidate or have attained a grade point average of at least 2.5 (A=4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted; and
• Satisfactorily meet the professional, personal, scholastic, and other standards for graduate study, including qualifying examinations, as appropriate university authorities may prescribe. In unusual circumstances, a university may make exceptions to these criteria.

2. Applicants to a master’s degree program in educational leadership with an administrative credential must meet the following requirements:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Positive review of application materials and assignment of permanent advisor.
• A valid California professional teaching credential or any equivalent credential approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• At least a 2.75 grade point average in the last 60 semester units attempted.
• Four years of successful teaching or service experience in K-12 schools with a California Professional or Clear Teaching Credential or any equivalent credential approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
• Two (2) positive recommendation letters, including one from your school site Principal.
• Meeting of admission standards developed by the Department of Applied and Advanced Studies in Education (refer to the current EDAD student handbook).
• Orientation and screening interviews with program faculty.
• A program of study approved by the advisor and division chair.

Learning Outcomes Roadmap  

Notice to Students Regarding Professional Licensure and Certification