Master of Science in Education in School Business Management

This 35-semester-hour program is intended to prepare students to serve as school business managers. The program of study includes course work and field experiences directly related to school business management in Illinois PK-12 educational systems. An educator license is not required to apply to this program.

Check departmental information for additional requirements. For application links and additional information visit the college page or the NIU Online page.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Admission

In addition to the standard requirements for graduate admission to the Graduate School at NIU, the M.S.Ed. in School Business Management has additional requirements for graduate admission. The M.S.Ed. in School Business Management requires degree-seeking applicants to submit the following materials:

A two-page statement of career goals
A letter of recommendation from a current or previous supervisor

Faculty decisions on admission are based on a holistic profile of each applicant.

Requirements

The M.S.Ed. in School Business Management requires the completion of 11 courses, a 3-semester internship sequence, and a portfolio. The internship experience will be under the supervision of an individual who holds a current Illinois Chief School Business Officer endorsement or serves as the school district’s chief financial officer. Before enrolling in the internship sequence, students must seek approval for their internship plan from their assigned internship coordinator. The internship requirement will be fulfilled by successfully completing LEBM 586A, LEBM 586B, and LEBM 586C in three consecutive semesters. The portfolio requirement will be completed during LEBM 586C, the final semester of the internship. The portfolio will consist of pre-selected, student-generated artifacts from their coursework, and a comprehensive summary of the internship experience.

The university offers opportunities for certification-only programs, including an expedited licensure, depending upon qualifications. For more information, please contact the LEPF program advisor.

Students who have already earned a related graduate degree and a Professional Educators License may qualify for a licensure-only pathway for the Chief School Business Officer endorsement. To learn more about this pathway, contact the LEPF Program Advisor.
Students who have already earned a graduate degree in business administration, public administration, finance, or accounting, and are not seeking a second graduate degree, may qualify for an accelerated, licensure-only pathway for a Professional Educator License with the Chief School Business Officer endorsement. To learn more about this pathway, contact the LEPF Program Advisor.

Requirements for the M.S.Ed in School Business Management include:

EPFE 712 - Ethics and Education Credits: 3
ETR 519 - Applied Educational Research Credits: 3
LEBM 501 - School Business Management Credits: 3
LEBM 521 - Accounting, Statement Analysis, and Budgeting Credits: 3
LEBM 525 - Legal Aspects of School Business Management Credits: 3
LEBM 536 - Role of the School Business Administrator in Collective Bargaining Credits: 3
LEBM 550 - Financial Planning and School Budgeting Credits: 3
LEBM 721 - School District Fiscal Strategic Planning Credits: 3
LEEA 500 - Educational Organization and Administration: Principles, Concepts, and Structure Credits: 3
LEEA 520 - Education Finance I Credits: 3
LEBM 586A - Internship in School Business Management Credits: 1
LEBM 586B - Internship in School Business Management Credits: 2
LEBM 586C - Internship in School Business Management Credits: 2