Administration & Supervision

Converse’s Administration and Supervision Program is designed to meet the student at their present level and guide them through a quality course of study aimed at making them knowledgeable and employable as school administrators. Our courses are taught by veteran school and district administrators who understand the theory of school administration and who have been in leadership roles. Through theoretical knowledge and practical experiences, our students develop the skills to become successful and effective school administrators.

More reasons to choose Converse:

Veteran Faculty: Our faculty have extensive experience in the classroom and are active as researchers, clinicians, and leaders in the field of education.

Quality Education: Our curriculum is aligned with South Carolina State Department of Education professional standards of Principal Evaluation (PADEPP) and meets all the requirements for national approvals by the Council for Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP). You will be qualified for certification reciprocity with many other states.

Community Partnerships:  The Department of Education at Converse University enjoys a strong working relationship with the school districts in Greenville, Spartanburg, Union, Cherokee, and Laurens Counties. Our graduate students are often current teachers in these districts who are seeking increased opportunities within their schools.

Convenience: Flexibility is essential for students who manage busy work schedules and personal commitments. The courses are conducted mostly in the evenings and summers to accommodate students who maintain their current teaching positions. Some course offerings utilize the online approach which helps students plan around other commitments they may have. Most students complete the program easily within a two-year time period. Our faculty advisors are available to their students through many different modalities including office hours, email, and phone.

Degree Prestige and Value: Since 1890, Converse has provided students with education rooted in the liberal arts. Converse graduates are principled and productive citizens capable of creative thinking and problem solving. Many of the school and district administrators in our geographical area are Converse graduates who have capitalized on their degree in making it to the top of their profession.

Applicants must have the following:

• A valid teacher’s certificate
• Three years of teaching experience
• An appropriate bachelor’s degree for teaching at the elementary or secondary school level.
• 3.0 GPA in their bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

The MEd degree in Administration and Supervision a 36-semester hour program designed to extend the instructional competence of the candidate in school leadership.  Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

The special focus of this program is in the preparation of administrative educational leaders. Students will become knowledgeable in school leadership, supervision and evaluation, school-community relations, education law, human resource management, and school finance.

Prospective administrators must make certain that they meet the requirements of admission and hold a valid South Carolina teacher’s certificate.

Prior to completion of the program, the student must take the Praxis II* in Administration and Supervision. This program is approved by the South Carolina Department of Education for those seeking certification as principals or supervisors.

• Visit the graduate catalog for current course descriptions
• View benchmark worksheets for an outline of academic requirements for this program

Clinical experiences for administrators are designed to help prospective educational administrators apply their knowledge of administration to the practical world of the public or private school. Typically, students will select, with assistance from the instructor and mentor, a major project or a series of smaller projects to develop and research. While library research may be called for, the emphasis is on solving actual administrative problems in the school or establishing procedures and programs related to leadership responsibilities of various administrators. Students receive guidance and assistance from school administrators, as well as Converse instructors.

*The PRAXIS II exam is taken by students before the completion of student teaching.

• A completed online application form, including $40 application fee.
• Two letters of recommendation
  (with at least one from an academic source). MEd in Administration and Supervision applicants must have three letters of recommendation.
• Official degree-granting undergraduate transcript and graduate transcripts from all colleges attended.
• *A personal statement
• Copy of teaching certificate
• Copy of Praxis II (or NTE) scores

*Converse’s founder, Dexter Edgar Converse, held the ideal that Converse students “may be enabled to see clearly, decide wisely, and to act justly.” Please write a personal statement, approximately 250-300 words in length, on how your personal goals as an educator tie with the Converse concept of The “Ideal” Educator. In keeping with the Honor Tradition at Converse, your essay must be entirely your own work. Please be specific on how Converse can help you become the “Ideal” Educator, taking special care to organize your essay clearly and proofread your work. The personal statement should be submitted as a part of the application or emailed to the Office of Graduate Admission.

Deadlines for Completed Application and Materials

• July 15 (For Fall Admission)
• December 15 (For Spring Admission)

*Converse Graduate Admission admits applicants on a rolling basis upon review of completed materials

See comprehensive graduate tuition and fees here.*

Learn about Financial Aid opportunities.

*Tuition and fees subject to change