FAQ

GPA
    MS – undergraduate GPA from all institutions of 2.5 or above
    EdS – graduate GPA from all institutions of 3.25 or above
    Probationary status (not meeting the GPA requirement) is considered on a case-by-case basis.

WRITTEN STATEMENT
   The master's emphases of: Organizational Leadership, Professional Leadership Studies, and Teacher & School Leadership and all EdS candidates must submit a two to five page written statement explaining their:
  a) vision of the purpose and role of K-12 education (or substitute a public or non-profit organization you have/or want to work for, for "K-12 education"), and
  b) personal interest, aptitude and experience in leadership.

The APPLICATION process involves 4 activities:
   1. Complete the MS application or the EdS application
   2. Have relevant “original – in a sealed envelope from the university” transcripts sent to the WSU Office of Graduate Studies (P.O. Box 5838, Winona, MN  55987)
   3. If you have never been a WSU Student – a $20 check made out to WSU
   4. Email the Written Statement (see above) to gmorrow@winona.edu

Most of the Education Leadership coursework is hybrid – a combination of face-to-face class time and online material. 

There are two emphases that are completely on-line.   

1. The Organizational Leadership core courses (18 credits) are on-line, and the classes meet several times during the week in a virtual classroom.  This coursework is then combined with the Education Leadership core courses (15 credits) for the Master's Degree.
2. The coursework for the Physical Education-Sports Science certificate (18 credits) is all on-line. This coursework is then combined with the Education Leadership core courses (15 credits) for the Master’s Degree

Minnesota requires that candidates who have completed their licensure coursework and internships meet before a panel of currently practicing school principals and superintendents to have their preparatory work and experiences reviewed before being endorsed for an administrative license.  Winona State convenes this panel twice a year, in June and December.  Candidates must notify the Licensing Officer (Dr. George Morrow – gmorrow@winona.edu) at least two months before the panel’s scheduled meeting (April 1st for the June panel and October 1st for the December panel).

Candidates need to complete the BOSA Competency Matrix for their licensure area and email it to the Licensing Officer.  Appointments are set for each candidate.  The meeting is a formal session at which the candidate is expected to show their command of and interest in school leadership.

Winona State University’s Education Leadership Department endorses candidates for licensure in Minnesota and Wisconsin. That means that we certify that you have completed the requirements for licensure in Minnesota (credits, internship and participation in the Licensure Review experience).  Wisconsin (DPI) accepts this endorsement as adequate for their licensure purposes.  Iowa and most other states require that you actually get the Minnesota license (K-12 Principal or Superintendent) and submit that for their review.  In general Minnesota requirements are seen as appropriate for licensure in most states.  In some cases, state-specific coursework is required, but a provisional license is immediately available.  Check with the specific state department of education you are interested in.