Master of Professional Studies in Rural Education

Citizen Scholar statue on Missouri State campus

Choose the pathway that fits your interests

The Master of Professional Studies in Rural Education (MPS) shares leadership development courses with the Educational Administration (MSEd) program. You'll also take specialized courses that align with your interests.

Shared leadership coursework:

Foundations of Educational Leadership (3 credit hours)
Organizational Management (3 credit hours)
Multicultural Issues Involving Human Relations and Collaborative Processes (3 credit hours)
Legal and Ethical Contexts of Schooling (3 credit hours)
Action Research in Educational Leadership (3 credit hours)

Total = 15 credit hours

The Rural Education, MPS offers a unique opportunity to strengthen your existing leadership skills while preparing you for the evolving needs of rural school districts.

Program pathways

Teacher Leadership Pathway

Master of Professional Studies in Rural Education

For educators who desire to remain in the classroom (no certification)

Required courses:

Modern Trends in Educational Administration (3 credit hours)
School and Community Partnerships (3 credit hours)
Leadership in Professional Development (3 credit hours)
Approved Graduate Credit Electives (9 hours)

15 shared credit hours + 18 additional credit hours = 33 total credit hours

Principal Leadership Pathway

Master in Educational Administration

For educators who wish to pursue administrative roles (includes K-12 Principal Certification from DESE)

Required courses:

K-12 Principalship (3 credit hours)
Curriculum Leadership for K-12 Principals (3 credit hours)
Administration of Instructional Programs (3 credit hours)
School Supervision and Performance Enhancement (3 credit hours)
Administration of Special Programs (3 credit hours)
Leadership Capstone (3 credit hours)
K-12 Principal Internship Onsite-Part 1 (1 credit hour)
K-12 Principal Internship Onsite-Part 2 (1 credit hour)
K-12 Principal Internship-Related Agencies (1 credit hour)

15 shared credit hours + 21 additional credit hours = 36 total credit hours

Complete the program online

You can complete all required coursework for the Rural MPS and Educational Adminstration MSEd online. Courses taken outside of the standard program currirculum may require in person attendance.

Transfer credit

Missouri State may accept transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions, including courses offered through the Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning (ATLL) or a Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC), on a case-by-case basis.

Students may transfer up to 30% of the graduate credit hours required for their program. All transfer credits must be approved by Graduate Program Directors and the Graduate College.

Learn more about the transfer credit policy.

Level Up Scholarship

Are you a Missouri State alumni? Alumni with a bachelor's degree may be eligible to pay undergraduate tuition rates for graduate courses through the Level Up Scholarship.

Missouri graduate tuition rates: $414 per credit hour

Level Up rate: $317 per credit hour

To qualify, alumni must:

Apply to and enroll in an eligible program starting in the Spring 2027 semester
Remain continuously enrolled until completing the degree

Learn more about the Level up scholarship

Find the detailed tuition, enrollment and student service fee schedule.

Explore the estimated cost of attendance.

Start with a graduate certificate

The Innovation in Education Graduate Certificate (9 credit hours) provides a starting point for teachers interested in advancing their professional development. The certificate's coursework is built into the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program allowing you to earn a graduate certificate while making progress toward a master’s degree you can pursue later.

Districts interested in providing professional development opportunities for teachers may deliver up to nine approved graduate credit hours locally.

Apprenticeship model

Each program is paired with a U.S. Department of Labor-recognized apprenticeship credential.

Want to learn more?

To learn more about the program pathways, elective course options and application process, contact Dr. Kim Finch.

To apply for the program, visit our GradCAS application portal. You must select and apply to either the Professional Studies Program or the Educational Administration program. For questions about which program to apply for, contact Dr. Kim Finch.

Contact Us

Location: Hill Hall 324
Telephone: 417-836-5192
Relay Missouri: 711 or 800-735-2966
Email: KimFinch@MissouriState.edu

Leadership pathways for teachers in rural districts