Want to move into school leadership but need flexibility? The online MSA from UNCP is built for working educators like you. You’ll study fully online, on your schedule, with courses aligned to the North Carolina Standards for School Executives. This program leads to licensure and helps you take the next step toward becoming a principal or assistant principal.

School Administration
Ready to take the lead in your school or district? At UNC Pembroke, the Master of School Administration (MSA) program helps you grow into a strong, confident leader. You’ll gain real-world experience, build a network of peers and mentors and learn how to create positive change. The accelerated MSA program is fully online and designed to support working educators. Graduates are eligible for licensure in North Carolina as a School Administrator (K-12). Learn More
Degrees

Master of School Administration
In the MSA program, you’ll build the skills to become a school leader. You’ll learn how to support teachers, guide student success and create strong school communities. You'll build life-long professional relationships with educational leaders, mentors and other rising leaders in this field. Graduates of the MSA program are eligible for North Carolina licensure as a school administrator.
You’ll study topics like:
- School-based management and leadership
- Curriculum development and instructional supervision
- Legal and ethical responsibilities of school administrators
- Community engagement and family partnerships
- Strategies for school improvement and organizational change
You’ll also complete hands-on internships in real schools, so you can practice what you’ve learned and build lasting connections.
This program is a mix of in-person and online courses.
Applicants must have completed 3 years of teaching prior to admission to the program (note that NC law requires 4 years of teaching experience by the completion of the MSA program and an application for a license).
Along with your application, fee and transcripts, you must also have:
- 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Resume to verify three years of teaching experience
- Three professional recommendations to include:
- Your current principal
- A colleague familiar your leadership skills
- An individual knowledgeable of your potential to engage in graduate-level coursework, and/or to assume a school leadership position (e.g., current or former professor or a district-level administrator)
- Statement of purpose answering the following questions:
- Why do you want to become a school administrator (principal)?
- In a school leadership role, what communication approaches would be most effective?
- How would you delegate responsibilities to others?
- How would this administrative position be most rewarding to you?
- What do you consider to be your major strengths as an administrator?
The electronic and physical information for submitting transcripts:
UNC Pembroke The Graduate School
PO Box 1510
One University Drive
Pembroke, NC 28372
UNCP will accept transcripts electronically at grad@uncp.edu If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Graduate Office at grad@uncp.edu.
Graduate Certificate in School Administration
This unique 24-credit program includes leadership, curriculum and legal coursework, plus two hands-on internship experiences. You will expand your practical leadership abilities, including instructional supervision and developing effective management strategies for school operations. When you finish, you’ll be eligible for principal licensure in North Carolina.
Program completion can be done in as little as one year!

Certificate in Instructional Coaching
UNC Pembroke’s Instructional Coaching Graduate Certificate is built for K-12 educators ready to take their impact beyond the classroom. This 12-credit program equips teachers with the tools and strategies to become confident, effective instructional coaches—empowering their peers and strengthening teaching and learning schoolwide.
Rooted in evidence-based models and reflective practice, the program emphasizes real-world coaching techniques, data-informed decision-making and collaborative leadership — helping educators drive meaningful change in diverse learning environments.


Earn Your MSA
On Your Time

After UNCP

As an administrator, I would have a chance to… interact with more professionals. This training gave me the opportunity to work on introducing myself and being prepared for that role.
Kirk Watts
MSACommon Careers
- Principal
- Assistant Principal
Get In Touch
or call us at 910.521.6271
Meet Our Faculty

Camille Goins
Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and MSA Program Director
camille.goins@uncp.edu910.521.6528

Bryan Winters
Department Chair of Educational Leadership and Assistant Clinical Professor
bryan.winters@uncp.edu910.521.6321
Similar Programs
UNCP's Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Each undergraduate and graduate teacher education program area offered by UNCP is approved by the NC State Board of Education.