Become an innovative scholar-practitioner and transformational leader who uses evidence based research and critical thinking to be an effective school administrator.
As an educational administration and leadership (EAL) student at USD, you will become a reflective leader and skilled educator whose practices and decisions draw upon the best available theory, research and experiential wisdom. Reflective decision-making engages administrators in cycles of thought and action based upon theoretical, ethical and professional knowledge.
The EAL programs have been accredited by CAEP (formerly NCATE) since 1956 and are designed for school district superintendents, elementary and secondary principals, special education directors, curriculum directors, adult educators, and higher education administrators and classroom instructors. Offered at master’s, educational specialist and doctoral levels, the programs can be taken on-campus, online or via a hybrid learning environment.
Our expert professors will provide mentorship as you design an individualized plan of study that specializes in an area that is most important to you. Choose from adult and higher education, curriculum director, pre-K-12 principal, pre-K-12 educational leadership, director of special education and school district superintendent.
Grow upon your past knowledge and skills and prepare for your future in an administrative position as an educational administration and leadership graduate student at USD.
The adult and higher education specialization challenges you to explore core themes and content to provide a breadth of exposure pertinent to both professional and academic objectives in the field of adult and higher education. USD also has a special partnership with the Learning Resources Network (LERN) with an additional path to this M.A.
Our programs to become a director of curriculum have been developed to meet your specific needs and backgrounds. The specialization provides a general background in educational administration and leadership as well as specific preparation that may be unique to the field curriculum administration.
Learn to become an administrator, supervisor and coordinator of programs for students requiring special needs through our director of special education program. You will develop curriculum, create in-service for staff, monitor service delivery models and more.
Specifically designed for educational leaders who want to earn their educational doctorate (Ed.D.), but do not need the degree for licensure. This alternative pathway is offered through an online and Hyflex approach (online and/or face-to-face). Candidates will identify a problem of practice, write a literature review that incorporates both scholar and practitioner perspectives, and embody the mindset of a methodologist.
The Pre-K–12 school principal and specialization has been developed to meet your specific needs and background. It provides a general background in educational administration and leadership as well as specific areas such as law for school administrators, community relations, school improvements and an internship.
This specialization provides aspiring school leaders with a purposeful balance of academic preparation and field-based practical experience to meet their specific needs and backgrounds. The coursework is offered on campus or online for convenience, while the practical field-based internship is completed under the supervision of experienced school administrators.
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As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.
An Affordable Education
Gain valuable real-world, professional experience while enjoying paid employment and discounted tuition rates as a graduate student at USD. The affordability you gain through graduate assistantships and fellowships will equip you with valuable, professional-level skills that will set you apart after graduation.
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded by individual departments. If you do not receive an assistantship within your department, you are eligible for an assistantship outside of your academic program or within support offices (non-academic units) at USD. Further inquiries should be directed to the graduate director of the department.
At USD, our graduate students are actively pursuing unique research and presenting at local and national conferences exploring innovative areas of interest to them. Additional research and grant opportunities include:
Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition provides the opportunity to communicate the significance and impact of your research project in just three minutes.
Each semester students may apply for grants through the USD Graduate School, faculty and students pursue research in virtually all academic departments on campus, and in many cases, it is a required portion of a graduate degree program.
IdeaFest is an annual event celebrating student research, creative scholarship and academic engagement. Undergraduate and graduate students in all disciplines present their work in oral and poster presentations, live performances, readings, exhibits and displays.
Join your fellow graduate and professional students at USD. We aim to build a sense of community between graduate and professional students. Build your resume, network with others and gain experience and the unique opportunity to represent the interests of graduate students to the greater campus and community.
Preparing education leaders to be effective educational administrators.
We're committed to bringing our knowledge to you. USD serves the largest number of online students in the state of South Dakota. With competitive online tuition rates, we offer the same price whether you’re out-of-state or an in-state resident.
USD maintains a challenging and rigorous curriculum focused on preparing you to move forward in your career.
Take classes at your own pace. Enroll in an online class today!
Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Graduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees.
Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.
USD offers opportunities for grad students to earn a reduced tuition rate in exchange for their teaching, research and service efforts to the university.
Teaching classes while I am working on my doctorate degree in educational administration and leadership will allow direct application of class materials to help me expand my comprehensive understanding of adult learning theory and distance education experience.
Jared Cook, Ed.D.
