Master of Secondary School Leadership – MSSL
Become the principal you want to be—enhance your career and make a difference in education with the Master of Secondary School Leadership.
Gain the skills you need to become a principal. Learn how to lead a secondary school and raise student achievement through effective leadership and research-based decision making.
You'll benefit from the research and teaching strengths of the Wellington Faculty of Education and the management acumen of Wellington School of Business and Government. By combining educational and business thinking, you'll gain the tools you need to develop innovative solutions to issues you'll face in the leadership and management of a secondary school.
Examine the role of leadership and how to foster leadership in others. Learn to make sound, evidence-based decisions about school organisation and management. You'll develop techniques for planning and goal-setting and explore the different strategies for building strong relationships with community and stakeholders.
How you'll study
Designed so you can continue working while you study, the courses are delivered through a mix of block format and online interactions. Block courses are held on Fridays or Saturdays, sometimes in term time and sometimes during school holidays. Block courses are held in Auckland where more students are based.
Valuable mentoring
Throughout the programme you'll have the opportunity to complete three, 3-day placements at secondary schools other than your own. During your placements, you'll shadow and be mentored by experienced senior staff in the school.
Research project
You'll complete a 60-point dissertation with the support of an academic supervisor. This will be either a research project on a contemporary issue in secondary school leadership or an evaluation of the implementation of a new initiative in a secondary school.
To qualify for entry into this programme, you'll need to be in a middle or senior manager position in a secondary school and have the support of your principal. You'll also need to hold a Bachelor's degree with a B average, or have completed a postgraduate qualification.
Workload
You'll most likely study part time, studying two courses per trimester which will take you around 20–23 hours of work a week. You can estimate your workload by adding up the number of points you'll be doing. One point is roughly equal to 10–12 hours work.
To those aspiring to be principals, I wholeheartedly recommend the MSSL program. It provides a depth of leadership development that is essential, as the role of a principal differs greatly from that of a deputy principal.
Full storyMarama Allen, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi and Tūwharetoa
Principal, Ruapehu College
Doctoral study
Once you have finished your MSSL, you may want to consider further study and complete a Doctor of Education.
Scholarships
The Ngāti Whakaue Education Endowment Trust Board and Gattung Foundation Scholarship is available for secondary school leaders of Ngāti Whakaue descent.
You can also look for other scholarships based on your level of study, subject area, and background.
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Requirements