School Administration

The School Administration program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a comprehensive and rigorous graduate-level degree designed to prepare aspiring educational leaders for effective school management and leadership roles. Rooted in a commitment to equity, excellence, and innovation, the program provides students with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and ethical grounding necessary to lead schools in a diverse and dynamic educational environment. Throughout the program, students engage in coursework that covers key areas such as instructional leadership, school improvement, policy analysis, personnel management, and community engagement. Emphasis is placed on developing strong decision-making abilities, strategic planning, and the ability to foster positive school cultures that support student achievement and well-being.

The program combines foundational academic coursework with hands-on practical experiences through internships and field projects, allowing students to apply their learning in real-world settings. Students work closely with experienced faculty, many of whom are recognized experts in educational leadership, to develop individualized leadership styles and problem-solving skills. Leadership development is further supported through mentorship opportunities, professional development seminars, and collaborative projects with local schools and educational organizations.

Graduates of the School Administration program are well-equipped to serve as principals, district administrators, or other school leadership roles across a variety of educational settings. The program emphasizes social justice, ethical decision-making, and inclusive leadership, ensuring that graduates are prepared to address contemporary challenges in education with integrity and innovation. Additionally, the program maintains alignment with state certification requirements, providing a clear pathway for licensure as a school leader.

Students in the program benefit from the rich resources and vibrant academic community at UNC Chapel Hill, including access to extensive research, professional networks, and ongoing support throughout their careers. Whether pursuing advancement within their current educational roles or transitioning into new leadership positions, graduates leave the program prepared to make impactful contributions to schools and communities. The School Administration program at UNC Chapel Hill is committed to fostering leaders who are dedicated to advancing educational equity, elevating student success, and shaping the future of education at local, state, and national levels.

The Master of School Administration program includes 21 hours in educational leadership courses, six hours in instructional leadership courses, and 18 hours in a paid, field-based internship and associated internship seminar.

Full-time students complete their academic course work (27 hours) during the first academic year. During their second year, students complete the full-year, full-time, paid internship in a public school setting and also participate in a year-long internship seminar with their cohort.

Students seeking North Carolina licensure also complete a series of artifacts that are aligned with the state's school executive standards. These artifacts are compiled to form an electronic portfolio that is submitted to the state's licensure division for review.

At the end of a candidate's program:

1. The Educational Leadership faculty and other assessors will formally review the candidate's portfolio. If the portfolio is deemed proficient according to the NC School Executive Preservice standards, the assessors will submit their recommendation for licensure to the UNC licensure office;
2. The UNC licensure office will communicate the licensure recommendation to the NC Department of Public Instruction, which will then formally assess the portfolio according to established criteria;
3. Upon determination of candidate proficiency, the NC Department of Public Instruction will issue the desired license;
4. Each student must apply for licensure through the UNC licensure office. The above process does not replace the requirement of an individual application for licensure.

Prospective applicants in either strand must hold a B.A. or B.S. degree from an accredited college or university and provide official transcripts of all undergraduate study. An undergraduate GPA of 3.2 is desirable.

Most M.S.A. candidates do not have administrative experience, nor have they completed prior graduate study in educational administration. Admission is competitive. Successful applicants typically are currently employed, have a minimum of three years of school-based professional experience and possess a state license/certification.

Students are selected on the basis of their academic preparation, professional experience and intellectual and leadership potential. An interview may be required.

• School of Education online application
• Application fee (non-refundable $85)
• Transcripts (complete, not selected courses)
  • One unofficial transcript from each university attended must be uploaded within the application. Please do not mail transcripts as part of your admission application; we only accept unofficial uploads for application evaluation. If you are offered admission, one official transcript for each university attended will be required prior to the first day of the term.
• Current letters of recommendation
  • The email address of three recommenders will be required within the application for electronic submission. Additional recommenders can be added to the application prior to submission.
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/CV
• International applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS standardized test scores.

Scholarships

School of Education Graduate Assistantships

Graduate student assistantships are paid positions offered on the basis of skills and qualifications of the applicant. Students may hold assistantships in the School of Education or in other schools and departments of the University. Each assistantship is separately administered by the funding school/department. Students may be enrolled full- or part-time during the term of the award.

Qualified graduate students may be considered for assistantship positions by program coordinators, faculty committees or principal investigators of grants. At present, only a limited number of assistantships in the School of Education are available.

Please contact your program coordinator for information on available assistantships. The Office of Student Affairs does not have information about specific jobs.

Teaching Assistantships

The recommended criteria for students obtaining a teaching assistantship are the following:

1. a major in the content area;
2. knowledge of the public school systems and how they function;
3. ability to communicate clearly and effectively with students in an instructional role; and
4. three years of experience in teaching with an emphasis in the particular area of methodology (for student teaching supervision).

Research Assistantships

Students awarded research assistantships possess the following characteristics: an ability to work with a research team; an interest in research and evaluation; knowledge of research methodology; and knowledge of and skill in the use of computers. Students work in one of two areas during their assistantship: research and evaluation in teacher education or on specific research grants.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants are chosen for possessing the following qualities: the ability to learn procedures quickly in an office setting; skill in typing, filing, and other general office tasks; good communication skills and ability to communicate well with faculty, students, staff, and the general public; and, for some positions, knowledge of and skill in computer use and applications and editing and proofreading skills.

This type of assistantship consists of more general office work. Some possible positions include general assistants for program or project offices.

School of Education Fellowships, Scholarships & Awards

• Anne and Wilson Brown Award
• Barbara Holland Chapman and John Franklin Chapman Graduate Fellowship 

The School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers comprehensive programs in school administration designed to prepare future educational leaders. These programs focus on developing skills necessary for effective school management, leadership, policy implementation, and fostering an inclusive environment for students and staff. The curriculum emphasizes theoretical foundations combined with practical applications, including leadership exercises, internships, and collaboration with local schools and educational agencies. Students gain expertise in areas such as curriculum development, instructional leadership, personnel management, and community engagement. The program aims to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to improve school performance, address challenges in diverse educational settings, and become innovative leaders in education. Courses often cover educational law, ethical leadership, data-driven decision-making, and organizational change. The program is designed for school administrators, principals, vice-principals, and aspiring educational leaders seeking to advance their careers in K-12 education. Graduates of the program are prepared to take on significant leadership roles in public, charter, and private schools, contributing to policy development and educational reform initiatives. The School of Education at UNC Chapel Hill also partners with local school districts to provide practicum opportunities, enhancing hands-on learning experiences. Overall, the program emphasizes a commitment to equity, excellence, and continuous improvement in education, aligning with the university’s mission to serve the public good and advance educational practices.