As you begin this program, here are some vital tips that should make your journey easier. It’s important to keep these in mind as you move forward. (Note: Additional details beyond the brief descriptions below are provided through the header links in this section.)
COMMUNICATION: Other than within course discussion forums, communication is primarily through your ATU email account. This often includes essential information from your instructors, the business office, academic affairs, etc. Please check your ATU account daily … or forward your ATU email to the email address of your choice.
TEXTBOOKS: Due to lag times and other delays, it is vital to buy (or rent) your textbooks well before any course begins. The “Textbooks” link provides detailed information on exactly what materials are required for each course and where to get those.
TUITION HELP: For those of us who aren’t independently wealthy (who is?), the “Tuition Help” link provides information on multiple ways to help finance your program … including the TOP grant, which can reimburse you up to $3,000 year in tuition and fees.
RESEARCH PAPER TIPS: This section summarizes the key points from the 400+ page APA 7 Publication Manual, offering tips on the components needed for a well-written research paper. Carefully reviewing (and applying) these tips has the potential to not only improve your scores, but more importantly, to enhance the credibility of your work … both now and in the future.
LICENSURE EXCEPTIONS: Through the Teacher Licensure Plan (TLP), DESE offers districts the opportunity to hire graduate students as principals or assistant principals if they are actively enrolled in an approved Educational Leadership program … even before they complete the program. Details can be found in this section.
PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO: In addition to the successful completion of all approved coursework, students pursuing the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership must create a Professional Portfolio that demonstrates the candidate’s proficiency in each of the NELP standards. This is a state requirement for adding the “P-12 Building Level Administrator” endorsement (Code 276) to an Arkansas Educator’s License. This section provides details and samples.
GRADUATION/PROGRAM COMPLETION: When you near completion of your Educational Leadership program, you must fill out the appropriate graduation/completion paperwork at the beginning of the semester before your final semester. This section provides details on that process.
– – – – –
SLLA TEST: In November of 2024, DESE removed the requirement for a passing score on this test. However, this section is still maintained for archival purposes (and in case that requirement should be reinstated at a later time).
ENDORSEMENT APPLICATION: After you have successfully completed the EDLD program, this section provides detailed information on what you must do to have the “P-12 Building Level Administrator” endorsement (Code 276) added to your Arkansas Educator’s license. To avoid unnecessary delays or complications, you must follow this exact procedure.
BEGINNING ADMINISTRATOR INDUCTION; JOB INTERVIEWS; PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES: While not directly related to ATU’s Educational Leadership program, the important “post-graduation” information in these sections has been provided as a courtesy to our graduates.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES: ATU’s Educational Leadership program is a “stackable degree” program. Many of the courses that you successfully complete in this program can then be applied towards our EdS (Educational Specialist – Superintendent) program. And many EdS courses can subsequently be applied towards the EdD (doctorate) program. This unique arrangement can save you a significant amount of time and money. For details, contact the EDLD Program Director.