School Administrator's Academy

The School Administrator's Academy is a performance-oriented program that leads to a Master of Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership or Special Education Administration.  Concentrations are also available for Elementary or Secondary School Principal, Central Office Administration, and Special Education Supervisor and Director.

The Academy emphasizes learning by doing. Although the program involves conventional instruction, the greatest emphasis is placed on lab sessions, problem solving, and field experience.

Program Highlights

• Students may complete the program in about two years
• Several courses are offered in weekend formats
• Instructional emphasis will be based on lab sessions, hands-on activities, and group processes
• Academy faculty are successful practicing administrators or persons who have recently been working in the field

Most classes are offered at the GVSU Eberhard Center or DeVos Center on the Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.  Overnight accommodations are conveniently located in the area, several within walking distance of the campus.  Some classes are offered in weekend, off-campus or distance education formats.  In the weekend format, three-credit courses meet one weekend a month for three months.  Students electing to take two weekend classes would meet two alternate weekends each month for three months.  One-credit modules meet for one weekend.

Practical Application

All students who complete an administrative concentration undertake a practicum on the job which enables them to apply leadership theory to practice. Practicum students are assisted by a mentor and an academy faculty member. Students typically do not take time off from their current jobs to complete the practicum.

Admission to the Academy

The Administrator's Academy is designed for both degree-seeking and nondegree-seeking individuals who are functioning in an administrative capacity or who have been identified by their school districts as having administrative potential. Applicants for admission to the Academy must be sponsored by a mentor from the area being studied (i.e, principal, superintendent, special education administration).

Admission to the M.Ed. Program

Admission to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree programs requires a 3.0 grade point average overall or over the last 60 undergraduate degree credits, professional or academic recommendations, teaching certificate for some programs, and other requirements as outlined in the university catalog at the time of application. Applicants not meeting minimum requirements may receive consideration based on prior master's degree, Graduate Record Examination General Test scores, or outstanding academic achievement in specified courses.