Educational Administration: EPPSP

Where leadership meets practice

Butler’s Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) prepares aspiring educational leaders to make an impact from day one. Through hands-on, standards-based learning, you’ll take on authentic leadership challenges tailored to your goals while applying what you learn directly within educational settings.

Throughout the program, you’ll learn alongside a dedicated cohort and engage with experienced educational leaders and Butler’s active EPPSP alumni network. These relationships provide opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and professional connections that extend well beyond graduation.

The 36-credit Master of Science program prepares graduates for leadership opportunities across PK–12 education, including principalship, district leadership, federal programming, athletics administration, and curriculum and instruction. EPPSP is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

An experiential design that integrates every aspect of principal training into a comprehensive, six-semester sequence
A powerful cohort experience, providing a professional support network that extends beyond graduation
Two-year, 36-credit-hour Master of Science in Education degree
Six consecutive semesters, including summers
Classes meet Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00–9:30 PM

Spring Semester 1: ED 557 School Principalship – Phase 1
Phase I of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) places emphasis on a vision of learning, collaboration with families and community, school and community relations, and leadership. Participants explore leadership styles through the use of several inventories and self-assessment instruments.

Summer Semester 1: ED 562 School Principalship – Transition 1
Transition I of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) places emphasis on internship and proficiency development, research, school reform, current issues in education, understanding, responding to and influencing the political, social, cultural, economic, and legal context.

Fall Semester 1: ED 558 School Principalship – Phase 2
Phase II of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) places emphasis on the school culture and instructional program. This course is focused on curriculum, instructional practices, success for all students, school improvement, professional development, and teacher evaluation.

Spring Semester 2: ED 559 School Principalship – Phase 3
Phase III of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) places an emphasis on school law, negotiations and collective bargaining, due process, rules and regulations, ethics, student diversity, cultural competency, and meeting the needs of special populations

Summer Semester 2: ED 563 School Principalship – Transition 2
Transition II of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) places an emphasis on research, internship and proficiency development, and experiential activities designed to prepare future school principals in authentic learning.

Fall Semester 1: ED 561 School Principalship – Phase 4
Phase IV of the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals (EPPSP) places emphasis on organizational management. Focus is given to policy and administrative guidelines, school safety, facilities, budget, data management technologies, models of organizational change, effective change strategies, team development, and conflict management.