Admission

ELPA Graduate Program

Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis

Have you found your perfect program?

Click below for more information and to apply online through the Graduate School!

Apply Now

Wondering about cost?

The Graduate School provides information on funding your graduate education.

Tuition and fee information  is available for each year after the Board of Trustees approves the rates for the next academic year in their May board meeting.

NOTE: ELPA courses fall into the non-resident e-rate category because they are online.

Need to know about deadlines or start dates?

The deadlines for each program are available in the program listing by degree. The academic calendar includes start/end dates, holidays, graduate school milestone/deadlines. The Registrar's office provides an easy to read calendar by academic year/term with graduate student dates highlighted.

Who to Contact



Administrative Endorsement Concentration (M.Ed., Ed.S., Ed.D.)

Dr. Virginia Foley
502 Warf Pickel Hall
423-439-7615

Higher Education Leadership Concentration (M.Ed.)

Dr. Susan Epps
512 Warf Pickel Hall
423-439-7609

Higher Education Leadership (Ed.D.)

Dr. Don Good
506 Warf Pickel Hall
423-439-7621

School Leadership Concentration (Ed.S, Ed.D)

Dr. Ginger Christian
504 Warf Pickel Hall
423-439-7619

 

Master of Education

We offer two concentrations at the Master's level: Administrative Endorsement (P-12) and Higher Education.

Administrative Endorsement 

This concentration is designed to prepare educators for beginning administrative positions at the school or district level. It leads to Tennessee licensure as a Beginning Administrator. Entrance requirements include a bachelors degree, teaching certificate, and three years of successful teaching experience (P-12). The culminating experience is a professional portfolio review. Students seeking a master's degree are applying for admission into the Administrative Endorsement concentration.

Masters degree program applicants must have a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on 4.0 scale. 

Materials to be submitted:

  • Completed application form
  • One official transcript from each college or university attended
  • Personal essay
  • Current Resume
  • Copy of Teaching license
  • Four recommendations (one from applicant's superintendent or other comparable supervisor)

Higher Education 

This concentration is designed for those interested in pursuing entry- or mid-level staff positions in higher education and student personnel areas. Students will increase their knowledge of leadership principles and how they apply to the various areas of the institution and to working with students and other members of the university community.

Individuals applying to the Higher Education concentration must meet the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, transfer of credit, and time limitations specified in the graduate catalog.

In addition to the admission requirements for the Graduate School applicaton, applicants must submit:

  • a current resume 
  • the names and contact information of three academic or professional references

Applicants will participate in a personal interview. 

Educational Specialist

This program is designed for educators already holding a master's degree, but desiring more advanced preparation in educational leadership. The various concentration areas serve teachers who seek to improve their classroom leadership skills, teachers seeking initial administrative licensure, and teachers or administrators who already hold administrative licensure and seek further knowledge and skills related to school administration. For some students, the Ed. S. may be the terminal degree; for others, it may be an intermediary degree between the master's and the doctoral degree. The program's culminating experience is an action research project conducted throughout the program of study.

Students seeking an education specialist degree are applying for admission into one of these concentrations:

Education Specialist applicants must hold a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. 

Materials to be submitted:

  • Completed application form
  • One official transcript from each college or university attended
  • Personal essay
  • Resume
  • Contact information for four references

 

Doctor of Education

This terminal degree program is designed for students already holding a master's or specialist degree and seeking advanced knowledge and skills in educational leadership and research. It culminates in a doctoral dissertation. Various concentration areas serve students who seek greater knowledge related to educational leadership, teachers seeking initial administrative licensure, teachers or administrators seeking further knowledge and skills related to school administration, and professionals seeking knowledge and skills related to leadership positions in higher education, public agencies, or private sector areas related to education.

Students seeking a doctoral degree are applying for admission into one of these concentrations:

Materials to be submitted:

  • Completed application form
  • One official transcript from each college or university attended
  • Personal essay
  • Resume
  • Four references
  • Note: The GRE requirement is no longer required for any ELPA program.