The educational leadership program at Mississippi State University Meridian is currently accepting applications from area educators interested in obtaining a graduate degree in school administration. The deadline to apply is March 15. 

    “The program is designed for teachers who wish to further their education in the area of school leadership,” said Dr. Matthew Boggan, assistant professor of educational leadership at MSU Meridian. “Participants can earn either a master of science degree or an education specialist degree in school administration.”

    Admission to the intensive, 14-month fast-track program is only once a year,  so applicants should complete their paperwork now in order to meet the March 15 deadline.  Students will be selected late spring with classes beginning in June of this year and concluding August 2012.

    “Over the years this program has paved the way for hundreds of educators from east, central and south Mississippi to become assistant principals, principals, central office personnel and even superintendents,” said Boggan. “And with an estimated 35 percent of Mississippi’s current school administrators eligible to retire from the system, this should open up many career opportunities in the coming years.”

    Dana Huffman, assistant principal at West Lauderdale high school graduated from the educational leadership program at MSU Meridian in August 2008. The former English II teacher waited only a year before she entered a school leadership role at the school.

    “I strongly recommend this program to anyone considering any type of leadership role in education,” Huffman said. 

    “The professors were very supportive and knowledgeable and held their students to a very high standard. Although the program was very intensive, it helped me to remain focused in all areas and the internship activities I had to complete were particularly beneficial. The experiences I obtained and the scenarios I observed from my internship hours with a school administrator provided me with a wealth of knowledge that I use on a daily basis in my position at West Lauderdale,” she said.

    Anyone interested in the program must submit their application online to the graduate school at www.meridian.msstate.edu by March 15. A student must have a 2.75 grade point average (GPA) for admission into the master’s program and a 3.0 GPA to enter the education specialist program, a current’s teacher’s license and at least two (2) years teaching experience. A successful interview with the leadership committee and a suggested graduate record exam (GRE) score are also part of the formula in the selection process.

    For more information on the educational leadership program at MSU Meridian, call Dr. Boggan at (601) 484-0177 or e-mail him at mboggan@meridian.msstate.edu.