School Leadership and Administration Graduate Coordinator:
Dr. Audrey Wright
Tel: 508-929-8594
email: awright1@worcester.edu
Leadership and Administration Courses
Leadership & Administration Letter of Recommendation Form
This program is designed to prepare future school administrators for the complexities of school leadership within the dynamics of a changing society. The program provides options for Principals, Supervisors, and Directors to complete an academic program that is designed to meet both Initial and Professional Licensure requirements. It was developed to conform with existing state certification regulations and the broad based knowledge that principals, supervisors, and directors are required to possess. In addition, the program reflects the impact of the Educational Reform Act of 1993 and the Proposed Principles of Effective Administrative Leadership. The demands of the typical school system and its administration require competencies in management of personnel, fiscal affairs, and other resources as well as leadership and interpersonal relationship skills in all areas of the educational community environment. Administrative leaders must possess knowledge that is dynamic and contemporary. The School Leadership (SLA) program offers the administrator courses and experiences which will equip him/her with the skills and competencies necessary to become an effective educational leader and administrator.
The School Leadership and Administration program is designed to prepare future school administrators for the complexities of the position within the dynamics of a rapidly changing society. The program is designed to meet Massachusetts Department of Education Initial Licensure requirements for Principals/Assistant Principals or Supervisors/ Directors. Initially students will enter the Post Baccalaureate program to gain initial licensure. Those who choose to complete a Master’s Degree in School Leadership and Administration will need to complete three additional courses beyond the licensure requirements, and be admitted into the Master’s Program. Students getting their first Master’s degree must also take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or the Miller Analogy Test.
The demands of the typical school system and its administration require competencies in leadership relevant to curriculum and instruction, administration including fiscal management, equity, community and school relations, and the ability to be abreast of current research and laws which affect the educational community environment. Administrative leaders must possess knowledge that is dynamic and contemporary. The School Leadership (SLA) programs offer to the participant courses and experiences that will equip him/her with the skills and competencies necessary to become an effective educational leader and administrator.
Several courses are offered in a weekend format. Problem based learning and the use of case studies are often used.
Program description
The Master of Education program in School Leadership and Administration (SLA) is designed to meet the career needs of professionals who have earned an appropriate bachelor’s degree and who wish to attain Initial licensure or greater competency as Principals/Assistant Principals or Supervisors/Directors.
A minimum of thirty-six graduate credits is required to complete the graduate program. Candidates select courses specific to the level for which they are seeking licensure (N-6, or 5-9, 9-12). Two Prerequisite courses must be completed before taking courses in the Core area. Courses in the Core must be completed prior to completing the two courses in the Culminating aspect of the program. The courses in the core vary depending upon whether you choose Option A or Option B. Two, three credit electives required for the Master’s degree may be taken at any time within the program. While possible electives are suggested, students may choose others. These must be approved by your advisor.
The School Leadership and Administration program is designed to help graduates attain competency in the following five areas designated in the standards for effective school leaders: leadership, administration, equity, community relationships and professional responsibilities. Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC), a program of the Council of Chief State School Officers, has crafted model standards for school leaders that are also woven into this program.
These standards present a common core of knowledge, dispositions, and performances that will help link leadership more forcefully to productive schools and enhanced educational outcomes.
A supervised practicum of 300 clock hours is required at the level of licensure desired: A) EA 950 Elementary, B) EA 951 Middle School or C) EA 952 High School. Those seeking licensure as a supervisor/director must enroll in EA 953. The practicum experience must be done under the auspices of a person holding certification/licensure in the area the student is seeking licensure and the assigned university supervisor.
A final degree requirement for the Master’s is the Capstone Course (EA929) in which students may choose to either develop a portfolio demonstrating competence in the five areas of leadership, administration, equity, community relationships, and professional responsibilities (2 credit hours); or, complete a thesis (93 credit hours). In either case, the student must demonstrate competency in both the theoretical and practical aspects of school leadership and administration.
Admission
In addition to the general graduate program admission requirements, applicants for the concentration in School Leadership and Administration must provide the following:
• Massachusetts license as a teacher at the initial or
professional level.
• Two years of successful teaching experience (The
presumption is students will have completed the three years of
state required classroom teaching prior to completion of the
program).
• Exhibit promise as an effective school
Principal/Supervisor/Director
• Letters of reference that specifically focus on the applicant’s
ability to succeed as a principal, supervisor, or director.
• Bachelor’s degree
• Pass the MTEL test for literacy
OR
• Proof of completion of at least three full years of employment
in an executive management/leadership role This route can
only be used for the on-campus program with the approval of
the program coordinator. (Documentation required.)
• Exhibit promise as an effective school
Principal/Supervisor/Director
• Letters of reference that specifically focus on the applicant’s
ability to succeed as a principal, supervisor, or director.
• Bachelor’s degree
• Pass the MTEL test for literacy
Students who meet the above requirements will be provisionally admitted into the program. Full admission into the program is based upon successful completion of the prerequisite course (Foundations of Educational Administration and Research) with a B+ or higher. The Admissions Committee may also require a personal interview with the applicant. In such instances, the applicant is notified in writing of the decision of the committee. Final admission is granted by the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education after departmental recommendation is provided.
School districts participating in contracted SLA cohorts, select those students who will participate in these groups. However, the student must still submit and meet all of the above criteria in order to be admitted into the SLA program. The University will not endorse any candidate who has not been fully admitted into the Worcester State Leadership program, and completed a program of study.
Option A Principal/Assistant Principal
Sequence of courses:
Pre-requisites
EA 912 Foundations of Educational Administration 3 credits
ED 982 Research in Education 3 credits
Courses to complete before Clinical and Capstone experience
EA 924 Curriculum Development and Evaluation 3 credits
EL 904 Instructional leadership of the elem./ OR 3 credits
ES 900 Instructional leadership of the middle/secondary schools
ED 961 Educational supervision and evaluation 3 credits
EA 918 School, Community and Family relations 3 credits
EA 923 Law for administrators 3 credits
EA 915 School finance, management and administration
3 credits
Culminating experiences for the initial license
EA 950 Practicum in elementary ed. admin. (300 hrs)
OR 4 credits
EA951 Practicum (Middle School) OR
EA952 Practicum (High School)
Additional Master’s Requirements:
EA 929 Capstone course
Portfolio 2 credits
OR
Thesis 3 credits
Two Electives (Need to be approved) 6 credits
(Suggested choices, but not limited to)
EA 925 Staff Development: Theory and Practice
EA 932 Educational Personnel administration
EA 931 Administration of programs for children with Sp. Needs
ED 925 Communication and Interpersonal Skills for Ed. Leaders
Total required 36-37 credits
Option B Supervisor/Director
Sequence of courses:
Pre-requisites
EA 912 Foundations of Educational Administration 3 credits
ED 982 Research in Education 3 credits
Courses to complete before Clinical and Capstone experience
EA 924 Curriculum Development and Evaluation 3 credits
EL 904 Instructional leadership of the elem. OR 3 credits
ES 900 Instructional leadership of the middle/secondary schools
EA 925 Staff Development: Theory and Practice 3 credits
ED 925 Communication and Interpersonal Skills 3 credits
EA 923 Law for administrators 3 credits
EA 915 School finance, management and administration
3 credits
Culminating experiences for the initial license
EA 953 Practicum experience in supervision. (300 hrs) 4 credits
Additional Master’s Requirements:
EA 929 Capstone course
Portfolio 2 credits
OR
Thesis 3 credits
Two Electives (Need to be approved) 6 credits
(Suggested choices, but not limited to)
EA 931 Administration of programs for children with Sp. Needs
EA 932 Educational Personnel administration
EA 918 School, Community and Family relations
ED 924 Program Development and Evaluation
ED 926 Curriculum Development and Instructional Techniques
ED 951 Integrating Language Arts and Social Studies in
El/Middle
ED 953 Integrating Science and Mathematics in El/Middle
ED 974 Curriculum Development and Innovations
(Secondary schools)
Total required 36 -37 credits