[Bethany, OK]—Southern Nazarene University’s Master of Arts in Educational Leadership (MAEL) program is excited to expand its partnerships with local school districts. Partnerships with Norman and Claremore Public Schools are slated to start in October 2024. The MAEL program has successfully partnered with Oklahoma City, Putnam City, and Bixby public schools. The expansion to Norman and Claremore public schools, with other school districts in the works for future partnerships, is part of SNU’s ongoing mission to make education more accessible.
The school partnerships program was established to make an advanced education degree more accessible to Oklahoma teachers in response to the state’s shortage of teachers and school administrators. Partnerships between SNU and local school systems offer educators an affordable Master’s in Educational Leadership, a requirement for school principal certification. Norman and Claremore public schools will benefit from these partnerships by facilitating a supportive pathway for future school leaders to pursue advancement in their careers.
The partnership program was started after SNU professors and program directors spoke with superintendents in Oklahoma who expressed concerns about their districts' dwindling pool of potential school leaders. The program is designed to make a Master’s degree more accessible to teachers by offering the degree program at a reduced cost with instruction from public school administrators in their own facilities. This is an excellent opportunity for teachers to pursue an affordable advanced degree in a convenient location.
“A Master's degree from SNU will provide the opportunity for a teacher to enter into the field of school administration,” says Dr. Kent Shellenberger, assistant professor for the MAEL program at SNU. “Areas such as assistant principal, principal, athletic director, curriculum director, and central office administrator (including superintendent) are just a few of the possibilities that this degree will offer upon completion,” he explains.
The MAEL degree program at SNU is designed by educators for educators and with full-time teachers in mind. Classes occur one night a week and one six-week course at a time, making it possible for students to graduate in as little as 20 months. It is tailored specifically to prepare students seeking professional licensure/certification in Oklahoma to sit for Oklahoma licensure /certification exams and fulfill the academic requirements necessary for licensure/certification.
For more information about SNU’s educational leadership partnership programs, please contact MAEL Program Director Dr. Stephoni Case at scase@mail.snu.edu.
Southern Nazarene University is a private Christian university located in Bethany, Oklahoma. Committed to a values-driven education, SNU offers students an environment where they can develop academically, spiritually, and socially. With a history of academic excellence, SNU continues to prepare students to become impactful leaders through its rigorous programs and close-knit community. For more information, please contact pgsadmissions@mail.snu.edu.