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St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University

Graduate Bulletin Table of Contents

Additional EDAD Bulletin Information

Educational Administration and Leadership Graduate Programs (EDAD) Education Building

Offered through the Department of Educational Leadership and Community Psychology
in the College of Education
B210 Education Building
Phone: 320.308.2160
Fax: 320.308.3216

Department Chairperson: Dr. Niloufer Merchant
Department Secretary: Ms. Sandra (Sandy) Radzak
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Janine Dahms-Walker
Graduate Faculty: Dahms-Walker, Imbra, Kayona, Moore, Worner

Accreditation specific to the program

National Council for Accreditation and Teacher Education (NCATE)

The Profession

The educational administration and leadership program prepares students for a profession in education administration for K-12 school organizations. Specifically, these positions include principals, superintendents, and special education directors.

Employers

Graduates will be able to seek employment in public and private K-12 school settings, area education agencies or regional educational service units, and positions at the state department level.

Educational Leadership Options
Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership

  • Provides the first step in pursuing educational administration licensure.
  • Upon completion of the M.S. a graduate may choose to pursue licensure through the sixth-year program or the specialist degree program.
  • Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
  • Undergraduate GPA is closely reviewed. A large emphasis is placed on scholarship within the undergraduate education core.
  • Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.

The Sixth-Year Certificate Program in Educational Administration and Leadership

  • Will lead to administration licensure.
  • Is a competency-based program that provides an alternative to meet Minnesota state requirements for licensure as a K-12 school principal, special education director, or as a superintendent of schools.
  • Applicants must possess a Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership or an acceptable equivalent to be considered for admission.
  • Applicants who have an M.S. in other disciplines may have deficiencies to complete before admission is granted.
  • Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.
  • Upon completion of the sixth-year certificate program, a graduate will be eligible to apply for specific Minnesota administrative licensure.

Specialist Degree Programs in Educational Administration and Leadership

  • Will lead to administration licensure.
    The specialist degree programs include a core of pre-professional leadership courses and academic experiences appropriate to the particular program.
  • A minimum of 36 credits, including the field study is required. Students will find that the field study is primarily focused on problems and inquiries related to educational leadership or administration.
  • Applicants must have a Master of Science in Education Administration and Leadership or an acceptable equivalent, as well as evidence of academic ability to complete the program to be considered for admission.
  •  Admission decisions are made as completed application files are received.
  • Upon completion, a student is eligible to qualify as a K-12 principal, or special education director, or superintendent.

Minnesota Administrative Licensure Requirements

Currently the state of Minnesota requires that applicants for administrative licensure have at least three years teaching experience. Licensure requires a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership/Administration plus 30 semester credits, obtainable through the sixth-year program or the specialist degree program. A final portfolio assessment is also required of licensure candidates.

Length of M.S. Program — Measured by Semesters

  • Part-time student: four to five semesters taking six credits per semester.
  • Full-time student: three semesters taking 12 credits per semester.
  • During the academic school year courses are scheduled on weekends and evenings.
  • Summer courses are scheduled in two-week blocks.

Graduate Assistantship Overview

  • Two graduate assistantship positions are generally sponsored each year, and are available both fall and spring semesters.
  • Graduate assistants do a variety of activities, including assisting faculty in various research and instructional preparation tasks.

Degrees and Plans Offered

  • Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership: Plan A (Thesis) at 31 credits
  • Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership: Plan B (Written Comprehensives) at 34 credits
  • Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership: Plan C (Portfolio) at 36 credits
  • Sixth-Year Certificate Program in Educational Administration and Leadership at 30 credits
  • Specialist Degree in Educational Administration and Leadership at 36 credits

Master of Science — Educational Administration and Leadership

The educational leadership program develops leaders for Minnesota's schools — teachers, principals, special education directors, community education directors, superintendents, and central office personnel committed to providing the finest learning opportunities for K-12 students. Courses offered focus upon developing the skills and personal traits necessary for successful school administration. In addition, field-based learning experiences are an integral, crucial aspect of the program.

Programs have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning for meeting the professional preparation requirements for licensure in the following areas: K-12 school principal, director of special education, school district superintendent, and director of community education. In addition, the department participates in the development of special studies programs which lead to graduate degrees in other areas of educational administration.

Plan A, 31 credits; Plan B, 34 credits; Plan C, 36 credits

Research courses
Plan A, 12 credits
6 credits

  • EDAD 682. Research Design in EDAD, 3 credits
  • EDAD 699. Thesis, 6 credits
  • CEEP 678. Introduction to Graduate Statistics, 3 credits

Plan B or Plan C
6 credits

  • EDAD 680. Introduction to Research in EDAD, 3 credits
  • EDAD 612. Program and Assessment/Evaluation Technique, 3 credits

Administrative courses
Plans A, Plan B, or Plan C
16 credits

  • EDAD 601. Introduction to EDAD, 1 credit
  • EDAD 610. Administrative Leadership, 3 credits
  • EDAD 620. Introduction to School Law, 3 credits
  • EDAD 630. Administering School Personnel and Supervision, 3 credits
  • EDAD 640. Introduction to School Finance, 3 credits
  • EDAD 650. Introduction to School/Community Relations, 3 credits

Practicum course
Plan A, B, and C
3 credits

  • EDAD 670. Practicum in EDAD, 3 credits

Related studies courses
Plans B or Plan C
9-12 credits

  • Select courses in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Sixth-Year Program — Educational Administration and Leadership (30 credits)

Administrative core courses
15 credits

  • EDAD 603. Organizational Theory, 3 credits
  • EDAD 609. Supervision of Special Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 612. Program and Assessment/Evaluation Techniques, 3 credits
  • EDAD 619. Legal Financial Aspects of Special Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 622. Legal Aspects of EDAD, 3 credits
  • EDAD 631. Advanced Supervision Techniques, 3 credits
  • EDAD 652. Community Relations, 3 credits
  • EDAD 657. Educational Policy, 3 credits

Administrative specialty courses
8 credits

  • EDAD 601. Introduction to EDAD, 1 credit
  • EDAD 605. Principal: K-12, 3 credits
  • EDAD 608. Superintendency, 3 credits
  • EDAD 611. Portfolio Review, 1 credit
  • EDAD 613. Administration of Special Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 616. SPED Program Development for Administrators, 3 credits
  • EDAD 642. Auxilary Functions.-Site Admin., 3 credits
  • EDAD 645. Auxilary Functions.-District Admin., 3 credits

Field experience courses
3 to 4 credits (320 hours)

  • EDAD 674. Field Experience: K-12, 4 credits
  • EDAD 676. Field Experience: Special Education Director (200 hours), 3 credits
  • EDAD 678. Field Experience: Superintendency, 4 credits

Elective courses
3 credits

  • Select electives in consultation with the graduate advisor.

NOTE: It is recommended that sixth year students with a master's outside of educational administration take EDAD 620, 630, 640 and 650.

Specialist Degree — Educational Administration and Leadership (36 credits)

Research courses
9 credits

  • EDAD 686. Field Study Design in EDAD, 3 credits
  • EDAD 694. Field Study, 3 credits
  • CEEP 678. Introduction to Grad. Statistics, 3 credits

Administrative courses
15 credits

  • EDAD 603. Organizational Theory, 3 credits
  • EDAD 609. Supervision of Special Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 612. Program and Assessment/Evaluation Techniques, 3 credits
  • EDAD 619. Legal Financial Aspects of Special Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 622. Legal Aspects in EDAD, 3 credits
  • EDAD 631. Advanced Supervision Techniques, 3 credits
  • EDAD 652. Community Relations, 3 credits
  • EDAD 657. Educational Policy, 3, credits

Administrative specialty courses
8 credits

  • EDAD 601. Introduction to EDAD, 1 credit
  • EDAD 605. Principal: K-12, 3 credits
  • EDAD 608. Superintendency, 3 credits
  • EDAD 611. Portfolio Review, 1 credit
  • EDAD 613. Administration of Special Education, 3 credits
  • EDAD 616. SPED Program Development for Administrators, 3 credits
  • EDAD 642. Auxiliary Function.-Site Admin., 3 credits
  • EDAD 645. Auxilary Function.-District Admin., 3 credits

Field experience course
4 credits (320 hours)

  • EDAD 674. Field Experience: Principal: K-12, 4 credits
  • EDAD 676. Field Experience: Special Education Director (200 hours), 3 credits
  • EDAD 678. Field Experience: Superintendency, 4 credits

NOTE: It is recommended that specialist students with a master's outside of educational administration take EDAD 620, 630, 640 and 650.

Special Education Director Credentialing Course Work

The Special Education Director program is closely linked to the Principal or Superintendent Certificate programs. The Special Education Director program provides the academic and experiential training needed to prepare students for the special education director licensure provided by CFL.

  • This is an optional program that builds upon the Principal or Superintendent Certificate program.
  • To be admitted to the Special Education Director program the applicant must meet with the appointed faculty member.
  • Careful attention will be given to previous work experience, academic background, scholarship, interpersonal skills and commitment to the field of special education.
  • Students need to fulfill the requirements for the principal or superintendent certificate program in addition to the following course work.

    EDAD 609. Supervision of Special Education, 3 credits
    EDAD 616. SPED Program Development for Administrators, 3 credits
    EDAD 619. Legal Financial Aspects of Special Education, 3 credits
    EDAD 676. Special Education Field Experience, 3 credits*

*NOTE: The field experience involves 200 supervised hours with a practicing special education director. Acceptance for internship requires application and approval from your adviser.

Program Inquires

For program information contact: Dr. Charles Moore at 320.308.2160 or cemoore@stcloudstate.edu.