MEd Instructional Leadership

Must be admitted to graduate school.

Candidates must submit a portfolio to the instructional leadership program for review. The portfolio affords a candidate the opportunity to provide valuable information regarding interests, leadership potential, organizational skills and other qualifications for unconditional admission into the instructional leadership program. The portfolio should reflect quality work desired for aspiring instructional leaders. The contents of the portfolio will be reviewed and scored by at least three members of the Instructional Leadership Admissions Committee. The portfolio is valued at 30 points toward the final score for acceptance into the program. A minimum score of 21 on the portfolio (70%) must be acquired. A copy of the scoring rubric can be found in Appendix A of the application.

Incomplete portfolios will not be considered. The portfolio must contain the following components:

• Instructional Leadership Program Application for Admission
• A current resume outlining candidate’s education – college and/or university years, professional work history, as well as leadership positions, personal and professional honors, personal and professional organization memberships
• A copy of candidate’s valid teaching license/certificate (Form A)
• Three recommendation for admission forms (Form B), including one from each of the following:
  • immediate supervisor
  • colleague
  • personal reference
• UWA’s confidentiality agreement and verification of experience form (Form C). NOTE: The original, notarized form should be sent via U.S. Mail to the following address:
  • UWA College of Education
    Attn: Certification Office
    1 College Drive; Station #8
    Livingston, Alabama 35470
• Memorandum of agreement (Form D) complete with all required signatures as indicated
• Completed copy of candidate’s most recent performance appraisal/evaluation; the professional development component shall be included, if available
• Candidate’s leadership profile, which includes the components listed below. The profile should convey a personal and professional history that assists the Instructional Leadership Advisory Council in knowing the person who is applying. To this end, there is not a preferred format or structure. In preparing the profile, the applicant should set the text in a typed, double-spaced document, minimum of two to three pages.
  1. Brief autobiography of the candidate.
  2. A statement of professional goals.
  3. A review of the candidate’s professional growth and development activities during the past three years, which may include formal education at the graduate or undergraduate level, professional development and/or technical training.
  4. A retrospective view of the candidate’s leadership experiences over time and across specific areas of leadership; experiences should be documented by three pieces of evidence that the candidate possesses leadership potential; include the most recent accomplishments in the area of instructional leadership. Professional presentations, community service, religious organizations and/or U.S. military service are appropriate for this section.
  5. College and university years—reflect on experiences related to becoming an educator, including, but not limited to, organizations, classes, influential people, etc.
  6. Professional experiences—including, but not limited to, experiences in the classroom, chairperson positions, committee involvement, special assignments, project directorship and/or U.S. military experience.
  7. Professional or personal honors—including, but not limited to, any honor received that was connected to professional or personal experiences.
  8. Professional organizations—including, but not limited to, experience as chairperson, officer, committee member, delegate, etc., at the local, regional or state levels.
  9. Philosophy of education and instructional leadership.
  10. Reasons for pursuing a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership

Each educator candidate must pass an interview conducted by a program admission committee that includes both P–12 instructional leaders and higher education faculty.

Educator candidates shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive portfolio which indicates the level of experiences and knowledge gained in instructional leadership during internship experiences. UWA educator candidates will maintain an electronic portfolio via LiveText. The portfolio shall be juried by a committee of university and P12 school leaders before the candidate is recommended by the University for instructional leadership certification. Juries shall be made up of members from the Instructional Leadership Advisory Council. Portfolios will be juried upon the completion of all coursework, internship and residency requirements.