USC Aiken to Offer New Master’s Degree Program in Fall

Group of School of Education students alongside Dr. Judy Beck, Dean of the School of Education. (left)

AIKEN COUNTY, SC (WJBF) – The University of South Carolina at Aiken will offer a new online master’s program in educational leadership this fall.

Offered by the university’s School of Education, the entirely web-based program will enable students to earn principal certification and support the growth of leadership roles for local teachers.

According to the university, the new program has been approved by the South Carolina Higher Education Commission and is awaiting approval from the Department of Education.

Judy Beck, dean of the School of Education, said the distance master’s program will provide convenience while supporting educators.

“This program provides opportunities for area teachers to move into administrative positions within a school district,” Beck said. “Because we work with area school districts for our undergraduate teacher education programs, we are more in tune with the needs of the school districts and the challenges they face. We are also here to help them meet with teachers in person or utilize in-person services on the USCA campus.”

King Lawrence, retired Aiken County Public Schools superintendent, said the master’s program will help increase the district’s pool of qualified candidates in the education field, particularly in South Carolina.

“It is critical that teachers are prepared to lead our school for future success,” Lawrence said. “Having a quality educational leadership program at USCA will strengthen the candidate pool and provide our community with the next generation of school leaders.”

Candidates for the master’s degree will complete a minimum of 36 graduate credit hours focused on educational leadership, including six hours of internship credit.