"Principal Corps builds leaders through intense coursework and a school-based internship program. The coursework, cohort activities and intensity of the month of June bonds together new administrators into a collegial cohort. This is truly a transformational process!"
Suzanne Cain
Principal Corps Graduate
About this Program
The University of Mississippi’s Principal Corps is a comprehensive training program designed to transform classroom teachers into K-12 leaders who guide children, teachers, and schools to success.
- Founded in 2009 with a $2 million planning grant from the Jim and Donna Barksdale Foundation, our faculty consulted top educational leaders from around the nation to design a unique curriculum that sets a national standard for principal preparation.
- In 2012, after four years of outstanding outcomes, the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation became the newest major supporter of the program with a gift of more than $1.4 million.
Upon successful completion of the program, Principal Corps graduates receive either a Master of Education (M.Ed.) or Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) degree in educational leadership from UM. Courses
What's the difference between the M. Ed. and the Ed. S.?
The M. Ed. and Ed. S. in Educational Leadership (Principal Corps) are both graduate-level programs. While they share many similarities there are some differences to keep in mind.
- The Masters in Education is a graduate degree valued for its ability to enhance teaching practices, drive positive impacts on student learning and development, and cultivate inclusive learning environments.
- The Education Specialist is distinct from both master's and doctoral degrees. It offers a unique blend of advanced learning, surpassing typical master's programs while maintaining a streamlined timeline compared to options like the Ed. D (Doctor in Education).
Scholarship
Admitted Principal Corps recruits receive full funding for tuition, books, fees, summer housing and a living stipend while at UM. Additionally, based on a cooperative agreement with your school district, most recruits can maintain their current salary and benefits during the academic year.
Each graduate makes a five-year commitment to stay in Mississippi after graduation.
District Support
We encourage principals and superintendents throughout the state to identify outstanding educators and nominate them for the Principal Corps. Partner districts often retain a teacher as an intern principal for one semester while receiving another candidate from another district the next semester.
In most cases, recruits’ home school districts continue to support intern principals during the year. Thanks to special funding available from the Mississippi Department of Education, salaries for temporary teachers are available to support Principal Corps candidates.
On this Page…
Program Information
Program Type
Master's Program
Area of Study
Education
School
Duration
13 months
Degree
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership
Program Location
Required Credit Hours
30
M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Principal Corps)
The M.Ed. in Educational Leadership (Principal Corps) requires the following courses for a total of 30 credit hours.
To complete the Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Principal Corps), students must complete:
- 30 hours of Program of Study Courses
Program of Study Courses (30)
- EDLD 613 Instructional Leadership
- EDLD 610 Mission, Vision, & Core Values of Leadership
- EDLD 615 Building Level Human Resources Leadership
- EDLD 616 Data Informed Leadership
- EDLD 611 Ethics & Professional Norms for Educational Leaders
- EDLD 617 School Law & Leadership
- EDLD 612 Equity & Cultural Leadership
- EDLD 618 Operations & Management of Leadership
- EDLD 614 Community & External Leadership
- EDLD 619 School Turnaround
Other Academic Requirements
At least 400 internship hours are embedded into the coursework and will be completed under the mentorship of an Instructional Leader Mentor.
To apply to the Principal Corps, please complete the Principal Corps Application online and e-mail your three essays and a current resume to principalcorps@olemiss.edu.
- Applicants must also complete an application to The University of Mississippi Graduate School (for either the M.Ed. or the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership).
Minimum Qualifications
To apply to the Principal Corps, candidates must have:
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a 3.0 GPA overall
- A current resume emphasizing any leadership activities
- Class A teaching license
- Competitive GRE scores
- Endorsement from current district superintendent
- 3 years (prior to the start of the program) of K-12 teaching experience
- 3 letters of reference with evidence of leadership potential
- 1 letter (not a reference letter) from a licensed assistant principal, principal, or equivalent in the applicant's school of employment agreeing to serve as the Site Mentor for internship
- A successful admissions interview with program faculty
To properly complete the application process for Principal Corps admission, students must submit all application materials before the deadline for summer admission:
- Priority application deadline: February 1
We're here for you!
If you have any questions about the Principal Corps, don't hesitate to get in touch!
Tom Burnham
Interim Director of Principal Corps and Adjunct Professor of Leadership & Counselor Education
Success with the Principal Corps
The Principal Corps changes lives. Not only the lives of our teachers but the lives of the students in the districts they eventually serve.
In the past five years, our program has produced dynamic new instructional leaders. Each year, more Mississippi school districts are hiring Principal Corps graduates.
Among our 95 alumni are:
- 1 Superintendent
- 34 Principals
- 50 Assistant Principals
- 14 Curriculum & Instruction Administrators
- 20 Teachers/Other
To help spread the word about the Principal Corps and the great work of our graduates, we've put together a list of our most recent graduates and their new positions.
Frequently Asked Questions
YES. All candidates must take the GRE and submit scores (including a writing score) that are no more than 5 years old to the UM Graduate School.
Because Principal Corps is a competitive scholarship program, we consider GRE scores along with other relevant data.
No. The Principal Corps is a full-time graduate program that consists of a full-time administrative internship placement. This placement is typically outside a candidate’s current school district, which means you would not continue teaching; rather, you would be placed in another school to work with and learn from a proven building administrator.
- We work with the candidate’s school superintendent to determine an appropriate placement.
- We also consider geographical location and family situation of the candidate when making placements.
Due to the structure of the program, it is vital that the superintendent support the candidate’s application to the program. Once someone is selected from a district, a process is initiated to secure grant funds to cover the cost of a replacement teacher while you are completing your internship.
If your superintendent supports your candidacy in the program, you will continue to receive your current salary and benefits.
The Principal Corps is a 13-month program consisting of 30 credit hours (including online and face-to-face classes).
- Each new PC Cohort begins the first week in June with all candidates reporting to the UM campus. Candidates participate in a 6 hours of coursework and attend several workshops during the month of June.
- Candidates receive their internship placements in June, and they report to their assigned schools in July.
- During the fall and spring semesters, candidates take nine hours of coursework each semester while completing the internship.
- Summer I – 6 hours of coursework and workshops beginning the first week in June on the UM campus.
- Fall – 9 hours of coursework.
- Spring– 9 hours of coursework.
- Summer II – 6 hour coursework beginning the first week in June on the UM campus.
- Internship – 6 hours course credit.
Superintendents and school boards participating in the Principal Corps Program enjoy the following opportunities:
- Select the next generation of school leaders.
- Have the selected candidates participate in and complete a program based on the most current and clearly defined research practices in the country.
- Have the selected candidates return to your district with a strong knowledge base and experiences focused on instructional leadership; data analysis and interpretation; and specific content knowledge in the areas of literacy, numeracy, and students with disabilities.
- Have the selected candidates enter into the position of assistant principal or principal having a full year of internship experience under a master principal.
Principal Corps candidates benefit from a:
- Highly competitive experience-based program that reflects the current research in the areas of leadership; instructional leadership; data analysis and interpretation; with an emphasis on literacy, numeracy, and students with disabilities.
- Cohort based program and benefit from the interaction with your current Principal Corps cohort and other Principal Corps members already working in leadership positions.
- Full-year internship, one semester in an elementary school and one semester in a secondary school, under the guidance of a master principal and a university mentor.
- Scholarship covering the cost of all tuition, textbooks and housing along with a food stipend for each term.
Next Steps
Explore Affordability
We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.
Apply to the University of Mississippi
Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?