Educational Leadership Programs

Note:  St. Lawrence University’s Graduate Program in Educational Leadership was formerly called the Educational Administration Program until its M. Ed. program was re-registered by New York State in 2005.  The two new options of the University's Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Educational Leadership were registered and approved by the New York State Education Department in January 2008.

I.  Program Description
The Educational Leadership program at St. Lawrence University offers two options for the Master of Education (M. Ed.) degree and two options for a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.).  Together, these options provide opportunities for individuals to pursue graduate study to prepare for a variety of leadership careers in education-related fields.  Three of the four options lead to initial certification as a School Building Leader or professional certification as a School District Leader in New York State and reciprocating U.S. states.
 
Master of Education (M. Ed.) Options

A.  School Building Leader Certification Option.  This option is for candidates who have an initial or provisional certificate in classroom teaching or pupil personnel service, have three years experience in schools, and demonstrate the capacity to become educational leaders possessing the essential characteristics of effective leaders mandated by New York State’s Board of Regents, but do not have a prior master’s degree in any field.  Candidates matriculate in the program of study leading to the master’s in educational leadership (M.Ed.).  Candidates must complete 33 semester hours of approved graduate study, 100 hours of field work across the 33 semester hours of course work, and the six semester-hour culminating leadership/internship experience.  Candidates successfully completing all requirements of the program will be recommended for certification as School Building Leader.  Candidates may then matriculate into the Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) Program in Educational Leadership, which requires an additional 21 semester hours of approved coursework in educational leadership (60 semester hours beyond the bachelor’s degree) leading to recommendation for certification as a School District Leader.

B.  Educational Leadership Non-Certification Option.  This option is for students who have a baccalaureate degree but do not have experience in public education or a teaching certificate, and wish to pursue the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.  These students must complete 33 semester hours from the program of courses for school building/district leaders; they will not be required to do the 6 semester hour culminating leadership/internship experience in public schools..  These students will not qualify for certification as school building leader or school district leader.

Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) Options

C.  Combined School Building Leader/School District Leader Option.  This option is for candidates who have a permanent or professional certificate in classroom teaching or pupil personnel service, already hold a master’s degree in education, have three years experience in schools, and demonstrate the capacity to become educational leaders possessing the essential characteristics of effective leaders mandated by New York State’s Board of Regents.  Candidates matriculate in the program of study leading to the Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Educational Leadership.  Candidates must complete 27 semester hours of approved graduate study, 100 hours of field work across the 30 semester hours of course work, and the 6 semester hour culminating leadership/internship experience (EDAD 591).  Students completing the 24-semester hour School Building Leader Initial Certificate Program contained within the option may be recommended for the School Building Leader initial certificate before completing the remaining requirements for the C. A. S.  Candidates successfully completing all requirements of the entire option will qualify for the Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and will be recommended for the School District Leader professional certificate.

D.  School District Leader Option.  This option is for candidates who have completed a master’s degree in educational leadership, either from St. Lawrence University or another accredited graduate program, have three years experience in the school setting, and demonstrate the capacity to become school district leaders possessing the essential characteristics of effective leaders mandated by New York State’s Board of Regents.  Candidates matriculate in the program of study leading to the Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Educational Leadership.  These students must complete a minimum of 21 additional semester hours of course work in educational leadership beyond the master’s degree in educational leadership, including a 10 hour field work component for each course, and complete a total of at least 60 graduate semester hours to qualify for the C.A.S.  Courses in educational leadership not applied to the master’s degree can be credited toward the 60 graduate hours in educational leadership needed for the C.A.S., according to the University’s policies on transfer of coursework for graduate study.

To apply, or request further information, regarding all options of this graduate program, contact Dr. Alannah Fitzgerald, Coordinator, Graduate Program in Educational Leadership, 315-229-5864.

II.  Admission Requirements for the Educational Leadership Program

Admission Requirements for the M. Ed. program options:

1. Candidates for both options must hold a baccalaureate from an accredited institution of higher learning. 
2. Candidates must possess a permanent or professional certificate in classroom teaching service or pupil personnel service, unless applying for the non-certification option.
3. Candidates must complete the Department of Education standard application form.
4. Candidates must provide official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
5. Candidates must supply evidence of certification and satisfactory completion of three years of educational full-time work in public schools, unless applying for the non-certification option.
6. Candidates must submit three letters of recommendation: one letter from a practicing school building or district administrator who is recommending the candidate as having the capacity to be or become an effective school leader based on the nine Essential Characteristics of Effective Leaders mandated by the New York State Board of Regents; one letter from an individual who has first hand knowledge of the candidates’ professional competence; and one letter from an individual who has knowledge of the candidates’ academic competence.  Candidates seeking admission to the non-certification option may supply three letters of recommendation from appropriate sources.
7. Candidates must provide evidence of their capacity to become educational leaders by completing a five page writing sample stating their leadership philosophy in relation to the nine Essential Characteristics of Effective Leaders. 

Admission Requirements for the Certificate of Advanced Study Options:

1. Candidates must hold a master’s degree in education from an accredited graduate institution.
2. Candidates who are completing or have already completed the M. Ed. at St. Lawrence must complete the standard application form only.
3. Candidates who have not completed a master’s degree in Educational Leadership must complete all seven requirements listed above for admission to St. Lawrence University’s M. Ed. Program in Educational Leadership.

III.  Program Mission and Objectives

The Educational Leadership Program at St. Lawrence University is individualized and learner-centered recognizing that educational leaders must possess the knowledge, skills and behaviors needed to work collaboratively with staff, students, parents, the community, higher education, and outside organizations enabling all students to meet success in the school and/or educational settings.  Through the steps leading to each candidate’s acquisition of the Essential Characteristics of Effective Leaders and the supporting Content Requirements mandated by the New York State Board of Regents, we prepare candidates to be educational leaders in schools who have a thorough knowledge of child, adolescent and early adult development with a focus on enhancing the capacity of all students to meet State learning standards. All options of the program prepare educational leaders who:

(1) know and understand what it means and what it takes to be a leader;
(2) have a vision for schools that they constantly share and promote;
(3) communicate clearly and effectively:
(4) collaborate and cooperate with others;
(5) persevere and take the ling view;
(6) support, develop and nurture staff;
(7) hold themselves and others responsible and accountable;
(8) never stop learning and honing their skills; and
(9) have the courage to take informed risks.

IV.  Field Experience and Internship for Certification Programs

In each option leading to initial certification as a School Building Leader or professional certification as a School District Leader, every course with the prefix EDAD requires a 10-hour field experience component.  Each student must complete the field experience concurrently with his/her progress through that course work.  Each course has embedded content requirements and the accompanying field experience supports and expands the content requirements.  Candidates will participate in the field experiences across grade levels in the district in which they are employed.  Each student’s faculty instructor will assist in the selection of the field experiences; however, it will be the responsibility of each student to make the initial contacts and arrangements in accordance with the University’s Handbook for Educational Leadership.

The leadership internship experience (EDAD 591) requires a minimum of 400 clock hours of supervised activity in school settings.  Policies, procedures, and expectations for the internship are detailed in the department’s Handbook for Educational Leadership.  Students may begin the process of scheduling the leadership internship/experience after completion of 15 hours of course work in Educational Administration (EDAD courses); students begin the internship after completion of the 18 hours of course work and the concurrent fieldwork.  They must be recommended for the leadership/internship by the Program Coordinator.  Each student must select one of the following options for the culminating internship experience:

Option 1: The candidate will participate in a full time internship in a school district under the direct supervision of a full time administrator employed solely by that district.  The internship shall begin either at the beginning of the school year or the beginning of the second semester of that district’s school year.  The leadership internship will be 15 weeks in duration, and the internship shall provide experience with students at different developmental levels and from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.  A minimum of 400 hours must be documented.

Option 2: The candidate will participate in a half time internship across the entire school year under the supervision of a full time administrator employed solely by that school district.  The internship shall begin at the beginning of the school year and continue across the first and second semesters of that district’s school year.  The internship will be the equivalent in hours to 15 weeks.  A minimum of 400 hours must be documented.

Experiences in the Regional Summer Schools may, upon request, be integrated into the
Leadership/ internship experience.

V.  Program Requirements

A. Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Educational Leadership
 (School Building Leader Initial Certification Option – 39 sem. hrs.)
[Note:  This program is open to candidates who do not possess a prior master’s degree in education.]

Foundations and Research (9 sem. hrs.)
EDUC 519  Educational Statistics and Research
EDUC 548  Educational Tests, Measurements and Evaluation
(Select one course)
EDUC 507  Philosophy of Education
EDAD 516  Issues and Ethics in the Human Service Professions
EDAD 582  Current Research in Educational Leadership

Leadership Theory (6 sem. hrs.)
(select one course)
EDAD 513  Models of Leadership and Management
EDAD 553  Educational Leadership
(select one course)
EDAD 511  School Organization and Management
EDAD 554  Building Level Leadership

Specialization in Leadership (18 sem. hrs.)
(required)
EDAD 515  Conflict Resolution
EDAD 523  Public School Finance
EDAD 528  Leadership for Special Education
EDAD 532  Supervision of Instruction
EDAD 537  School Law
 (Select one course)
EDAD 579  Seminar in Curriculum, Instruction & Supervision 
EDAD 599  Curriculum Development

Internship in School Leadership (6 sem. hrs.)
EDAD 591 Internship in School Building Leadership

* New course to be approved in 2007-2008

B. Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Educational Leadership
(Non-Certification Option – 33 sem. hrs.)
[Note:  This program is open to candidates who do not possess a prior master’s degree in education.]

Foundations and Research (9 sem. hrs.)
EDUC 519  Educational Statistics and Research
EDUC 548  Educational Tests, Measurements and Evaluations
(Select one course)
EDUC 507  Philosophy of Education
EDAD 516  Issues and Ethics in the Human Service Professions
EDAD 582  Current Research in Educational Leadership

Leadership Theory (6 sem. hrs.)
(select one course)
EDAD 511  School Organization and Management OR
EDAD 513  Models of Leadership and Management
(select one course)
EDAD 553  Educational Leadership OR
EDAD 554  Building Level Leadership

Specialization in Leadership(12 sem. hrs.)
(Select four courses)
EDAD 504  Applications of Educational Technology
EDAD 515  Conflict Resolution
EDAD 537  School Law
EDAD 539  Planning and Sustaining Educational Change
EDAD 547* Administrative Support for Strategic Planning Teams
EDAD 547* Management of School/Business Partnerships
EDAD 560  Current Problems in Educational Leadership
EDAD 561  Accountability in Athletics and Physical Education Programs
EDAD 565/566  Independent Study in Educational Leadership
EDAD 592  Internship in Athletic Administration
EDAD 593  Practicum in Athletic Administration
EDAD 599  Curriculum Development
Other electives by advisement

Related Courses in Behavioral Sciences (6 sem. hrs.)
(Select two courses, by advisement)
EDPS 536  Mental Health in the Schools
EDPS 536  Individual Differences in Children
EDPS 538  Learning Disabilities
EDPS 547* Relationships between Schools and Families
EDPS 548* Counseling Children and Adolescents
Other electives, by advisement

* New course to be approved in 2007-2008

C. Certificate of Advanced Study (C. A. S.) in Educational Leadership
 (Combined Building Leader/District Leader Option – 33 sem. hrs.)
 [Note:  This program is only open to candidates who have completed a prior master’s degree in education, but not in Educational Leadership.  In order to be recommended for the School District Leader certificate, candidates must complete a total of at least 60 semester hours of graduate study in education.]

Part I:  School Building Leader Initial Certification Program
(This is a stand-alone program leading to certification as a School Building Leader – 24 sem. hrs. required for initial certification, including the internship.  Upon satisfactory completion of these course requirements, students may be recommended for certification as a School Building Leader in New York State and reciprocating states, prior to completion of the remainder of the C. A. S.  requirements .)

Leadership Theory Area (3 sem. hrs.)
(select one  course)
EDAD 511  School Organization and Management
EDAD 554  Building Level Leadership

Specialization in Leadership (15 sem. hrs.)
(required)
EDAD 523  Public School Finance
EDAD 528  Leadership for Special Education
EDAD 532  Supervision of Instruction
EDAD 537  School Law
(select one course)
EDAD 579  Seminar in Curriculum, Instruction & Supervision
EDAD 599  Curriculum Development

Internship in School Leadership (6 sem. hrs.)
EDAD 591 Internship in School Building Leadership

Part II:  Additional Requirements for the M. Ed. in Educational Leadership
(Part II leads to professional certification as a School District Leader – minimum of 33 sem. hours required, total)

Leadership Theory (3 additional sem. hrs.)
(select one  course)
EDAD 513  Models of Leadership and Management
EDAD 553  Educational Leadership

Specialization in Leadership (6 additional sem. hrs.)
(required)
EDAD 542  The Negotiation Process
(select one course)
EDAD 515  Conflict Resolution
EDAD 547* Leadership and School Climate
EDAD 547* Constructivist Practices and Educational Leadership
EDAD 548* Data-Driven Decision Making

* New course to be approved in 2007-2008

D. Certificate of Advanced Study (C. A. S.) in Educational Leadership
(District Leader Option – 21 sem. hrs.)
[Note:  This program is only open to students who have completed a prior master’s degree in Educational Leadership.  In order to be recommended for the School District Leader certificate, candidates must complete a total of at least 60 semester hours of graduate study in education.]

Specialization in School District Leadership
(required)
EDAD 542  The Negotiation Process
(select one course)
EDAD 550  Organization & Leadership of the School District
EDAD 586  Issues in School District Leadership
(Select at least five courses)
EDAD 504  Applications of Educational Technology
EDAD 515  Conflict Resolution
EDAD 547* Leadership and School Climate
EDAD 547* Constructivist Practices and Educational Leadership
EDAD 547* Relationships between Schools and Families
EDAD 548* Data-Driven Decision Making
EDAD 565/566 Independent Study in Educational Leadership
EDAD 582  Current Research in Educational Leadership
Other electives, by advisement

* New course to be approved in 2007-2008*