William Woods staff looks forward to connecting with educators at MSTA Convention

Written by Morgan Buresh

MSTA Convention-goers will notice a new event on this year's conference schedule: a networking event hosted by William Woods University.

William Woods University is the sponsor of the 2026 MSTA Convention, and Marketing Director Grace Mauzy said the university believes it will be the perfect place to meet teachers looking to continue their education.

“Historically, William Woods has been the leader of education for educators,” Mauzy said. “… We have to meet our educators or administrators where they’re at, and they’re going to be at [MSTA] Convention.”

The William Woods Education Department will have a booth in the exhibitor area on Wednesday for the FTA Statewide Meeting, as well as on Thursday and Friday to meet with MSTA members interested in pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctorate degree. There will also be an event Thursday evening with university staff where MSTA members can network and grab some free food and drink.

Sheila Logan, chair of the William Woods Master’s of Education Program, said she is most looking forward to making personal connections with Missouri educators and showing them how they can take the next step toward pursuing their professional goals.

“When I attend conferences like this, I have a lot of questions from teachers about, ‘How do I get from what I have to what it is I want to do?’ and just having someone to have an informal conversation about what that could look like … is important,” Logan said.

Along with undergraduate education programs, Logan explained William Woods offers four master’s degrees, two specialist degrees, and three doctorate degrees in education.

Master’s Degree Programs:

• Master in Athletics/Activities Administration: Logan said this path is designed for educators who aspire to be athletic directors and includes curriculum from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA).
• Master in Reading Instruction: This path is geared toward those who want to be literacy coaches and leaders in their district’s literacy curriculum. Logan said the degree content is aligned with DESE’s K-12 Reading Certificate.
• Master in Curriculum and Instruction: Educators who pursue this degree program can choose from five different paths, including a focus in STEM education, education technology, leadership, alternative certification, and self-designed curriculum, which Logan described as a customizable path that allows students to choose the areas they’re most interested in.
• Master in Educational Leadership: This is a principal program that Logan specifically oversees and is aligned with K-12 School Leader Certification expectations. She said there are many field experiences included in this program that allow students to receive support from practicing professionals and experience real-life situations they may face as building principals.

Specialist Degree Programs:

• Specialist in Curriculum and Instructional Leadership: Logan said this degree is for educators interested in becoming curriculum and staff development professionals at the district level.
• Specialist in Educational Leadership: This specialist program is very similar to the Master’s in Education Leadership principal program, but is geared toward superintendency.

Doctorate degree programs include adult learning, leadership, and curriculum.

Logan said there are a few things that she believes set William Woods education programs apart from other colleges and universities, including the program’s practical aspects that apply to leadership in real school settings, a common curriculum across all education programs, and a pool of nearly 50 practicing school professionals who facilitate the courses.

Logan explained that all education instructors have a degree above the degree level they are teaching and have professional experience in the role they are teaching, as well.

“For example, you’re not going to take a superintendent prep course with someone who has not been a superintendent or central office leader,” Logan said. “You’re not going to be in a principal prep course without someone who has been a principal. So, we really look at finding the best and brightest professionals out there and encourage them to be part of our team.”

All of the higher education programs in William Woods’ education department are online.

MSTA members can take any master’s courses for $325 per credit hour. Specialist courses cost $430 per credit hour and doctorate degrees cost $490 per credit hour.

Master’s courses take five weeks. If continued consecutively, Logan said this means educators can finish their degree program in 13 months. However, there is flexibility if educators need to take a break during a coaching season or for other reasons.

To offer even more flexibility, the program offers nine different start dates throughout the year: three in the fall, three in the spring, and three in the summer.

Logan said the Master’s of Education Program focuses on meeting teachers where they are, allowing affordability at $325 per credit hour, consistency with curriculum and staff support, and an emphasis on building relationships that will help support educators through the learning process and in their experience on the job.

Mauzy encourages any MSTA member considering pursuing a new degree to stop and talk with a William Woods staff member at Convention to see how they might be able to help them achieve their professional goals.

“[MSTA Convention] is a great opportunity for teachers or educators, administrators, to talk to William Woods and see what opportunities may be aligning with them in their future,” Mauzy said.

For more information about the William Woods education programs, visit their website.

Learn more about MSTA Convention here.