Southwestern College (KS)

Programme overview

This is a 36-credit Master of Education focused on building-level school leadership. Up to 6 credit hours may be transferred into the program. Coursework is delivered online in accelerated sessions to accommodate working professionals; graduate classes at Southwestern College are scheduled in six-, twelve-, or sixteen-week sessions, and the school leadership program specifically consists of 12-week accelerated courses with synchronous meetings at least every other week. The curriculum emphasizes applying research and theory to real school settings. While the program prepares candidates for Kansas building-level licensure (principal or assistant principal), passing licensure is not required to graduate and out-of-state certification applicability should be confirmed with each state’s certification office.

What you'll study

• Developing and practicing building-level administrative knowledge, skills, dispositions, and competencies through a mix of theory and application in actual school settings.
• Designing and implementing a school mission, vision, and continuous improvement processes that address data use, technology, equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community engagement (Standard 1).
• Ethical leadership and cultivating professional norms (Standard 2).
• Supporting social-emotional well-being and creating equitable, culturally responsive school cultures (Standard 3).
• Instructional leadership: leading change, curriculum and instruction, assessment, support systems, technology integration, and data systems (Standard 4).
• Engaging and collaborating with families, community members, business leaders, and school personnel to strengthen student learning and school improvement (Standard 5).
• Operations and management: leading change, school governance, communication, technology, resource planning, and applying laws and policies (Standard 6).

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and typically have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Conditional admission may be offered if the GPA standard is not met; provisionally admitted students who achieve a 3.0 GPA after completing 6 credit hours are moved to full admission. Graduate transfer courses must have been awarded within five years of program entry. Undergraduate courses may be transferred only to meet Kansas Department of Education licensure requirements. Up to three semester hours (or equivalent) may be transferred for elective credit when course content does not directly match catalog descriptions; transfer courses for special education must relate to education or psychology and align with licensure standards. Prior approval is required for acceptance of transfer credits.

Career prospects

The program prepares candidates for building-level administrative positions such as principal or assistant principal and for roles that require competencies in school mission and improvement, instructional leadership, operations and management, and community engagement. Graduates will be positioned to pursue Kansas building-level licensure; candidates intending to work outside Kansas should verify licensure transferability with their home state. The coursework and practicum elements are aimed at developing the practical skills needed to lead school-level change and manage school operations.

Scholarships & funding angle

Southwestern College offers standard higher-education financial resources noted on its site including financial aid, scholarships and grants, employer tuition reimbursement, and military education benefits. Prospective students should consult the university’s financial aid office and program pages for details and eligibility.