Created with working educators in mind, the educational leadership program blends sound educational theory, authentic learning experiences, and attention to the needs of our students, and is delivered by a faculty of practicing educational leaders.
Future school leaders participate in a variety of classroom learning opportunities that include:
· Tasks designed to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of standards-based systems theory and design through the application of analysis, critical thinking and problem solving for school-based reform.
· Reviews of case studies and legal beliefs to further their understanding of management, leadership and problem solving situations, including the values of integrity, reliability and honesty.
· Advanced skill acquisition projects in research, using Internet sources, applicable databases, and appropriate software to master essential concepts, knowledge, and methods concerning accessing and using appropriate data to inform decision-making at all levels of the system.
· Demonstrations of the ways in which an educational leader collaborates, communicates, engages, and empowers others in order to pursue excellence in education.
· Group discussions on how to apply knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, in order to create an organizational vision around student success, which includes managing resources, and creating a culture of teaching and learning.
A shorter, more focused curriculum is available for advanced degree-holders, completing just the courses and advanced fieldwork required for Pennsylvania certification in those school leadership areas.
Students seeking PA state certification also complete four one-credit sections of advanced fieldwork (GE-7020, GE-7021, GE-7022, GE-7023) to achieve the 360 required practicum hours.