This program provides an opportunity for talented educators from the public, independent, charter and religious affiliated schools to develop their leadership skills in preparation for taking on increasingly challenging roles in the nation’s schools. The School Leadership Program utilizes an executive format which focuses on helping students develop the competencies and knowledge base needed to become effective instructional leaders.

The program’s integrated design allows students to develop theoretical concepts and leadership skills in order to apply concurrently this knowledge in practical school settings. Through the inquiry-based curriculum, program candidates reflect on the dimensions of leadership that are critical to effective K-12 school administrators. The program is framed by three questions that are fundamental to student achievement in schools.

• How do students learn high-level skills across the curriculum?

• How do teachers teach and assess so that students learn high–level skills?

• How do school leaders provide instructional, organizational, public and evidence-based leadership so that all students learn at high levels?

Coursework is designed to help students draw connections between theory and practice focusing on how to facilitate learning as they assume leadership roles in schools.  Students participate in an intensive executive coaching experience with an on-site and University mentor, both of whom serve as role models and learning facilitators.

This 11-month, cohort designed program, integrates the coursework with a 360 hour internship and enables candidates to complete the coursework while earning degrees, and for those in the public schools, eligibility for K-12 principal’s certification. Classes cover three semesters of work: fall, spring and the first summer session. The program begins with a weekend orientation in August; thereafter meeting one weekend per month; one evening per month via remote connection; and two weeks after the summer session is concluded.

The program offers the following tracks:

Certification only –

• Students from the public/charter schools who hold a master’s degree and seeking certification only complete five courses including the 360 hours of internship.

• Students currently enrolled in a master’s degree and/or doctoral degree program at GSE may apply to have the certification courses as their electives.

These five courses are:

EDUC 643       Instructional Leadership to Promote Learning
EDUC 651       Field Internship Seminar:  Inquiry into Leadership for School Improvement
EDUC 652       Developing Instructional Leadership in Practice
EDUC 653       Field Internship Seminar:  Inquiring into Organizational and Legal Dimensions of Principal Leadership
EDUC 654       Aligning Fiscal, Human and Community Resources in Support of the School’s Instructional Mission

Master’s Degree –

The masters degree program is an intensive curriculum that seeks educators from public, independent, charter, and religious affiliated schools.  The program is unique in that it brings together educators from the public and private sectors.  The group works together as a cohort but also meets periodically in different tracks for specific topics relevant to each educational setting.

Ten courses are required to complete the masters program. The ten include the five listed for certification and five additional courses listed below:

EDUC 605       Sustainability in School
EDUC 632       Leadership in Independent, Public, and Parochial Schools
EDUC 648       Practitioner Research
EDUC 649       Applying Teaming and Moral Decision Making Concepts in Schools
EDUC 659       Critical Issues in Education

Culminating Experience

Each master’s student is expected to complete a practitioner research project within the context of her/his own school, supported by the practitioner research course. Submission of a satisfactory paper is a requirement for completion of the degree.

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