Educational Administration (M.S.A.)

Faculty
Description
Requirements
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Gwendolyn Bryant, Assistant Professor of Education, Program Director of Educational Leadership
Robert Redmond, Associate Professor of Education  

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Description

The graduate program in educational administration offers a Master of Science in Administration degree (M.S.A.) to students who successfully complete the 36-credit hour degree program designed to prepare them for administrative leadership positions in educational settings. This two-year cohort program meets one weekend a month for twenty months. The program consists of core requirements (30 credits) and a required internship and final project (6 credits). Course syllabi and classroom activities reflect the curriculum guidelines of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and prepare students to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) licensure exam, which is required of all new school principals in both the District of Columbia and Maryland.

The Educational Administration Program has achieved national distinction and is fully accredited by NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education); it is state approved and fulfills the requirements for the Administrative Services Credential in the District of Columbia. The program reflects the contemporary emphasis on data driven decision making and focuses on skills in data analysis, strategic planning and collaborative problem solving.  Students learn to evaluate instruction and to develop strategies to assist teachers with instructional techniques that lead to improved levels of student achievement.

Experiential Learning credit in lieu of the administrative internship is available to some candidates who are already functioning in a senior administrative position. Students should refer to the School of Education's policy on Experiential Learning and then see their advisor.

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Requirements

Core Requirements (30 credits)

ALL of the following courses: 

EDCC 601 Transition to Graduate School Seminar (no credit)
EDAD 597/598/599 Research in Education
EDAD 611/612/601 Leadership, Management, and Supervision
EDAD 613/614/602 Technology and Systems
EDAD 615/616/604 Staff and Group Development
EDAD 617/618/605 Curriculum and Program Development
EDAD 621/622/607 Cultural Diversity 
EDAD 623/624/608 Teaching and Learning for School Leaders
EDAD 629/630/603 The School, The Community, and The Society 
EDAD 633/647/638 Financial and Resource Management in School Administration
EDAD 634/635/636 Legal and Ethical Issues in School Administration

Field Experience (6 credits)

BOTH of the following courses: 

EDAD 625/626/640 Internship in Administration 
EDAD 627/628/600 Final Project in Educational Administration 

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Course Descriptions

EDCC 601 Transition to Graduate School Seminar
Non-credit seminar for students in their first semester of any School of Education graduate program. Information will be provided to students on general education, certification and graduation requirements. Surveys and writing samples that are data requirements for accreditation of the department will be gathered. Academic policies, APA writing style requirements and university-provided resources will be reviewed.
0 credits

EDAD 611/612/601 Leadership, Management, and Supervision
Focuses on theories of leadership and supervision and how these theories impact on effective school administration and effective teacher supervision. Emphasizes the human dynamic as it affects the organization and administration of a school. Students examine current theories of leadership, motivation, management, performance appraisal, and evaluation, and they apply these theories to current school issues. Students develop a personal philosophy of leadership and supervision.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 613/614/602 Technology and Systems
Focuses on the current technologies that support the management and operational functions necessary in the leadership of schools. Students examine the technological tools available in the collection and systematic analysis of data. Students apply necessary skills such as the Internet for e-mail, listserv, newsgroups, and file transfers to the role of school leadership and utilize tools such as Power point, Excel, and Access to support administrative functions.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 615/616/604 Staff and Group Development
Provides students with opportunities to develop the necessary group skills to effectively facilitate a task group and the leadership skills necessary to influence others; effective staff and group development practices, such as peer coaching, conflict management, and negotiation techniques are examined. Students explore the dynamics of change while practicing group facilitation and other skills needed to effectively lead a task group.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 617/618/605 Curriculum and Program Development
Reviews historical and current approaches to curriculum development and implementation. Topics include competency-based learning, authentic assessment, curriculum design, and program evaluation. Students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be effective instructional leaders.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 621/622/607 Cultural Diversity
Examines the effects of diversity and multiculturalism on society. International and economic issues are explored to help students broaden their knowledge of the complexities and interdependence of contemporary schools. Students study cross-cultural communications while developing the skills to accommodate specific needs that arise in culturally diverse environments.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 623/624/608 Teaching and Learning for School Leaders
Examines current theory and practice in the teaching and learning process. The dynamics of learning are viewed through the perspectives of human development, motivational theory, learning theory, classroom dynamics, and sociocultural factors. Practicum and laboratory assignments required.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 625/626/640 Internship in Administration
Provides students with practical experience in a supervised environment and with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in core content courses and classes in the student's specialization. An on-site mentor serves as the field supervisor, and a faculty member oversees the 120-hour intern field experience.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as single 3 credit course)

EDAD 629/630/603 The School, the Community, and the Society
Surveys historical, social, economic, political, and philosophical foundations of education, with an emphasis on theories of American education in an interdependent world and the multicultural character of the American classroom. Implications of understanding contemporary educational issues, policy, and decision making are stressed. Students investigate successful models of school, family, business, community, government, and higher education partnerships.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 627/628/600 Final Project in Educational Administration
Provides students with an opportunity to bring together all skills and knowledge acquired during the program in a culminating scholarly experience. In consultation with the program director, each student conducts an individualized final project appropriate to her/his specialization.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 637/638/633  Financial and Resource Management in School Administration
Prepares students to manage the monetary funds and resources necessary to create and maintain a successful learning environment. Students will gain a working knowledge of school finances - from day-to-day accounting procedures to the principles behind state-aid formulas. Students will also explore issues in school facilities management, insurance and risk management, and human resources management.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

EDAD 635/636/634 Legal and Ethical issues in School Administration
Identifies the legal and ethical issues related to the operation of a school. Students will examine legal issues in the relationship between schools and students, parents, staff and the larger community with a particular focus on federal and state laws and court decisions. Students will also explore ethical concepts and develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to resolve the ethical dilemmas the will encounter as school administrators.
1 credit, 2 credits, and 3 credits respectively (students take this course either as a 1 credit/2 credit sequence or as a single 3 credit course)

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