AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. () – The University of South Carolina Aiken will offer a new, online master’s degree program in education leadership this fall.

From the university’s School of Education, the entirely web-based program will allow students to pursue 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 Commission on Higher Education and is awaiting approval from the Department of Education.

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

“This program provides a way for area educators to move into administration within a school district,” said Beck. “Because we work with the school districts in the area for our undergraduate teacher preparation programs, we are more in tune with the needs of the school districts and the challenges they face. We are also right here in the event they want to meet with faculty face-to-face or utilize in-person services on the USCA’s campus.”

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

“Having teacher leaders ready is critical to our success in the future,” Lawrence said. “The availability of a quality educational leadership program at USCA will bolster the applicant pool and provide our community with the next generation of school leaders.”

Degree candidates of the master’s program will complete a minimum of 36 graduate credits hours focused on educational leadership, which include six internship credit hours.