Western Governors University Offers Scholarships for Aspiring Principals

SALT LAKE CITY -- Western Governors University is offering special scholarships for those who want to become school principals. Those interested in the Master of Science in Educational Leadership degree can apply for the WGU Aspiring School Principals Scholarship at the same time they apply to enter the degree program. WGU is a fully-accredited online university created by 19 U.S. governors to provide access for adult-learners. The WGU Teachers College is also the only online teacher education school having earned accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

The M.S. in Educational Leadership degree is specifically designed for already-licensed, practicing teachers who want educational leadership management preparation. The program prepares a teacher to serve as a highly effective, instruction-based certified principal by integrating a case-study approach that will enable the WGU graduate to design and implement standards-based educational improvement plans. This approach equips the new principal with the knowledge and tools needed to evaluate and improve a school's yearly progress against performance measures such as No Child Left Behind regulations.

This degree program is unique for several reasons. WGU's M.S. in Educational Leadership program is the only two-year, accelerated program that is competency-based. While program pace is ultimately determined by the individual student, the program is designed to be completed in two years.

The case-study approach will use the WGU student's own school as a case study for three terms. The final term, a full 450-hour applied principal internship, will include an interactive WGU capstone project in which the WGU student will propose and implement a school outcome plan, in cooperation with their case-study school. WGU students learn how to use technology, including a personal digital assistant (PDA) included in the program, for teacher evaluation and performance reporting.

The entire M.S. in Educational Leadership program is based on the Baldrige Education Criteria for Performance Excellence; that criteria is infused into the course of study to ensure that principals, as instructional leaders, have clearly defined goals in their career settings.

The WGU Aspiring School Principals Scholarship is valued up to $2,000. The scholarship will be credited to the student's account at the rate of $500 per six-month term, renewable each year for up to a maximum of four terms. Multiple scholarships will be awarded based upon candidates' academic record, readiness for online study, current competency, and other considerations. Enrollments are open continuously and new cohorts begin each month.

For more information on the WGU Aspiring School Principals Scholarship, go to: www.wgu.edu/edlscholarship. For more information on the M.S. Educational Leadership degree program, go to: www.wgu.edu/edleadership or call 1-866-225-5948.