CAGS Leadership & Management Course Descriptions
Community Relations (3 Credits)
(EDLM8000)
Students learn communications techniques and acquire knowledge about political structures and regulations in order to develop an individual strategy for improving school/community relations in their own community, utilizing specific goal setting techniques. A review of current literature will promote an awareness of the diverse publics involved and suggest methods for dealing with an influencing their perceptions about schools and their educational goals. A pre-practicum experience is included as an activity of the course.
Human Resources and Personnel Administration (3 Credits)
(EDLM8010)
The focus of this course is on establishing the rationale and organizational structure that supports effective human resource administration. Selection of staff, teacher induction, teacher tenure, promotion and dismissal, compensation and benefits administration, policy making, relations with professional and nonprofessional personnel and employee welfare are among the topics included in this course. Emphasis is placed on the interpersonal dynamics of the educational enterprise as it relates to human resource management. Additionally, issues relating to globalization, technology and professional ethics are explored.
Law for the Educator (3 Credits)
(EDLM8020)
Constitutional and statutory provisions governing a public school system are examined on local, state and national levels. A thorough review will be made concerning the legal parameters surrounding the local level of the educational system and federal and state guidelines generated to meet the needs of diverse student populations in compliance with current judicial decisions and state legislation. The impact of precedent-setting cases will be a major focus of this course.
Public School Finance (3 Credits)
(EDLM8030)
This course examines the financial and administrative aspects related to budgeting, accounting and financing at the local, state and federal levels. The student will acquire knowledge and skills in both resource acquisition and strategies for locating alternative revenue sources. Students will learn to allocate these resources efficiently and effectively.
Curriculum Leadership and Evaluation (3 Credits)
(EDLM8040)
This course is designed for administrators who must become knowledgeable about curriculum development and program evaluation. The role of the administrator as a decision maker and as an instructional leader is explored. Emphasis is placed on program development and evaluation, which reflects the various cultural and ethnic minority groups students represent. Additionally, practical applications of programs as well as the application of evaluation models and techniques are investigated. Pre-practicum responsibilities are a part of this course.
Seminar: Research in Educational Leadership (3 Credits)
(EDLM8050)
This course is designed to acquaint the student with the current research in educational administration and to teach the student how to evaluate the pertinence of this research to educational problems and issues. Students identify and use research sources and undertake projects that prepare them to address educational issues in an informed and lucid manner. A pre-practicum experience is included as an activity of this course.
The Principle: Organization and Administration of the Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School (3 Credits)
(EDLM9000)
This course addresses the role of the principal as an effective manager of schools at various levels of education. The focus is on the development of the human, conceptual, and technical skills required of decision-making, communication, planning and recruitment, scheduling, public relations, evaluating and contract management. Course assignments reflect the specific level of interest of the participants (elementary, middle, and senior high schools). Nine semester hours of prerequisite core courses are required.
Collegial Supervision (3 Credits)
(EDLM9020)
The nature and function of supervision as it relates to both the teacher and the supervisor are studied. Also presented is a contemporary view of the concept of supervision from both a theoretical and practical perspective. The role of the supervisor is discussed as it has evolved from the traditional model to the instructional leadership model—a model that embraces collegiality and professional development. Included are strategies and processes related to a variety of supervisory models, such as clinical supervision, mentoring, differentiated supervision, cooperative development and self-directed development. Emphasis is on studying ways in which the planning, organization and evaluation of instruction may be effectively improved through the cooperative participation of school personnel.
Dynamics of Planned Change (3 Credits)
(EDLM9100)
A study of planned change, essentially aimed at education, includes a review and analysis of sociological and psychological factors inherent in the change process. Topics reviewed include organizational behavior, intervention theory, intergroup relations, and management techniques. The course schedule includes a series of multi-hour sessions mixing lecture, simulation, problem-solving and discussion of the four major course components: organizations; planning change; strategic planning and managing change. Topics are considered in light of the overall objective of changing/improving schools with an eye toward improving the education of students and, consequently, improving their lives. Candidates will participate in an eight hour, one day strategic planning session.
Practicum in Educational Leadership and Management: School Principal: PreK-6 (6 Credits)
(EDLM9300)
The culminating course in the master’s degree program consists of an internship/practicum experience under the direct supervision of a principal and/or director and the university supervisor. The graduate student is obliged to work in a school setting performing the kinds of responsibilities and duties for which they are preparing, such as principal—supervisor/director that directly address the Administrative Leadership MA and NPBEA Standards. The practicum can be arranged for full-time or part-time. Final practicum arrangements are to be agreed upon with an advisor at least one semester prior to the practicum. During the practicum, students meet with their university advisor and are visited at their practicum site. This practicum consists of a minimum of 300 clock hours earned at the practicum site.
Practicum in Educational Leadership and Management: School Principal: 5-8 (6 Credits)
(EDLM9310)
The culminating course in the master’s degree program consists of an internship/practicum experience under the direct supervision of a principal and/or director and the university supervisor. The graduate student is obliged to work in a school setting performing the kinds of responsibilities and duties for which they are preparing, such as principal—supervisor/director that directly address the Administrative Leadership MA and NPBEA Standards. The practicum can be arranged for full-time or part-time. Final practicum arrangements are to be agreed upon with an advisor at least one semester prior to the practicum. During the practicum, students meet with their university advisor and are visited at their practicum site. This practicum consists of a minimum of 300 clock hours earned at the practicum site.
Practicum in Educational Leadership and Management: School Principal: 9-12 (6 Credits)
(EDLM9320)
The culminating course in the master’s degree program consists of an internship/practicum experience under the direct supervision of a principal and/or director and the university supervisor. The graduate student is obliged to work in a school setting performing the kinds of responsibilities and duties for which they are preparing, such as principal—supervisor/director that directly address the Administrative Leadership MA and NPBEA Standards. The practicum can be arranged for full-time or part-time. Final practicum arrangements are to be agreed upon with an advisor at least one semester prior to the practicum. During the practicum, students meet with their university advisor and are visited at their practicum site. This practicum consists of a minimum of 300 clock hours earned at the practicum site.
Comprehensive Exam
(EDLM9999)