NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s School of Education received approval for a rate reduction for individuals seeking a Master of Education in Education Leadership and Post Master’s Certificate in Education Leadership. NSU will charge $280 per credit hour for the M.Ed. and PMC, including tuition and fees. The new pricing structure will be available to all students who enroll and are coded as pursuing the Educational Leadership endorsement. The cost adjustment makes NSU’s program more competitive than other educational leadership programs in the region.
Request for the approval was precipitated when a group of PK-12 school superintendents approached administrators in NSU’s School of Education about offering coursework in educational leadership for aspiring leaders within their parishes as a cohort.
Since Spring 2020, school districts are experiencing an increased number of teachers and leaders leaving the profession due to the stress and anxiety of the pandemic. School districts are looking for people to become site administrators “job ready.” Expanded job requirements of school administrators include mentoring, curriculum development, culture development, assessment literacy, progress monitoring, literacy requirements, social/emotional learning for students and mental health issues.
“These programs are designed for teachers who would like to further their careers by moving into leadership positions,” said Dr. Katrina Jordan, director of the School of Education. “Anyone with a certification to teach who is interested in improving the lives of teachers, students and their families is encouraged to apply.”
Courses will be offered on an 8-week schedule to help teachers manage graduate coursework and will be offered in a cohort model beginning this fall so teachers can complete the program in two years.
“NSU is recruiting from our partner districts and beyond,” Jordan said. “We are hoping to begin a cohort model in the fall, and we plan to offer extra supports to those districts who send us a group of students. The shortage of principals is an issue for many parishes. School systems in the state are in need of educators willing to share their knowledge and experiences with others and, with the new pricing and extra supports, it is easier than ever to get started.”
For information, contact Jordan at jordank@nsula.edu or visit https://education.nsula.edu for a complete list of degree programs offered by NSU’s School of Education.
