Montana State University

Department of Education Title

College Department

Educational Leadership - OPI Internships and MSU Field Experiences

All programs in educational administration require a practical experience (internship/field experience) to provide real life opportunities to implement, adapt, and/or confirm leadership theories. Field experiences are adapted to each participant's needs and situation, and can be categorized as MSU or Doctorate/Superintendent.

OPI Internships are for persons working on a Master's Degree in educational leadership while concurrently assigned to a school district administrative position for which they are not yet certified. This program provides temporary full certification. More intensive supervision from MSU requires some costs to be paid by the district and/or intern. Interns are assigned a mentor, collaborate with that person and a University supervisor, and complete a variety of assignments for the University supervisor.

MSU field experience courses are designed for persons at the master's level who are seeking principal certification. The field experience involves a set of required and optional experiences in which students participate, keep logs, and report to an on-site supervisor/mentor and to an MSU coordinator/supervisor.

Doctoral and Superintendent certification field experiences are uniquely designed for participants in view of their needs and situations.