Educational Administration (M.S.A.)

Faculty

Dr. Gladys Williams, Educational Administration Program Director

Description

The graduate program in educational administration offers a Master of Science in Administration (M.S.A.) degree to candidates who successfully complete a 36-credit-hour degree program. The program offers two options:

1. Educational Administration – for those pursuing administrative positions in a broad range of educational settings
2. Educational Administration with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education – for those wishing to pursue positions specifically in early childhood settings.

Both options can be completed in 5 semesters, during which students complete 30 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours of internships that culminate in a capstone project.

The educational administration program reflects the contemporary emphasis on promoting high student achievement through a collaborative culture and a focus on teaching and learning. Candidates learn to use assessments to facilitate continual school improvement through instructional planning and professional development for teachers around instructional strategies.

Course syllabi and classroom activities in the educational administration program reflect the curriculum guidelines of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (E.L.C.C.). The program in early childhood education is guided by the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (N.A.E.Y.C.). Candidates in either track are prepared at the completion of the program to take the School Leadership Licensure Assessment (S.L.L.A.).

The programs are approved by the D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (O.S.S.E), accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (N.C.A.T.E.), and fulfill the requirements for the Administrative Services Credential in the District of Columbia.

Degree Requirements

Educational Administration

Core Requirements (30 credits)

• EDCC 601 Orientation: Tools for Graduate SchoolNon-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. Formerly EDCC 601 - Transition to Graduate School Seminar.
  0 credits
• EDAD 599 Research in EducationExamines current trends in qualitative and quantitative educational research methodologies. Students learn to read, analyze, and interpret the current literature in teaching, student learning, and school administration. Topics include defining the research process, writing a review of the literature, exploring methods of gathering quantitative and qualitative data, developing a research design, and examining ethical issues related to the research process. Students will review and analyze research relevant to school administration.
  3 credits
• EDAD 601 Leadership, Management, and SupervisionFocuses 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. Formerly ADM 610
  3 credits
• EDAD 602 Technology and SystemsExamines the national standards for integrating technology into a school and/or district. Theories and current research in technology integration will be included in reading assignments and discussions. Students will have experience using computer applications that support management and operational functions necessary in a school setting. Students will complete journal writing and group activities that promote problem solving from the school administrator's perspective. Students will be provided with a process for assessing the technological needs of a school and aligning school resources with these assessed needs. As a Final Project, students will develop a comprehensive technology plan that addresses the use of technology to support the management and instructional goals of the school.
  3 credits
  Hyrbid Online Course
• EDAD 603 The School, the Community, and the SocietySurveys 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 604 Staff and Group DevelopmentProvides students with opportunities to employ strategies and skills to assist in the design of a personal development plan. Students will be able to articulate the role of professional development, professional learning communities and collaborative instructional planning in effective schools. Students will be able to analyze and evaluate the dynamics related to instructional leadership in a school environment.
  3 credits
• EDAD 605 Curriculum and Program DevelopmentReviews 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 607 Cultural DiversityExamines 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 608 Teaching and Learning for School LeadersProvides students with the skills and knowledge needed to be effective instructional leaders. Course focuses on the study of relationships among theories of teaching and learning, the art and science of instructional leadership, and the exploration of how theories and research can be applied in the classroom. The course will examine various dimensions of the adult learner, as well as school students -- their intellectual and personal development, individual differences, ways of teaching, and motivation to learn. Students will review historical and current approaches to teacher supervision, staff development, conferencing and brain-based learning. Topics include visioneering, brain-based research, marginal teacher improvement and assessments. Students will be required to develop a school vision that is designed to create and sustain a positive school culture that values diversity and promotes excellence in alignment with its vision.
  3 credits
• EDAD 633 Financial and Resource ManagementPrepares 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 634 Legal and Ethical Issues in School AdministrationIdentifies 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.
  3 credits

Field Experience (6 credits)

• EDAD 625 Internship in Administration IProvides 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. Regularly scheduled seminars are held on campus to provide support and a forum for collaboration and discussion about the field experiences. A grade of B or higher is required to advance.
  1 credit
• EDAD 626 Internship in Administration IIProvides 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. A grade of B or higher is required to advance.
  1 credit
• EDAD 627 Internship in Administration IIIProvides 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. A grade of B or higher is required to advance. Formerly EDAD 627 - Final Project in Educational Administration.
  2 credits
• EDAD 628 Internship in Administration IVProvides 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. A grade of B or higher is required to advance. Formerly EDAD 628 - Final Project in Education Administration.
  2 credits

Educational Administration with a Specialization in Early Childhood Education

Core Requirements (30 credits)

• EDCC 601 Orientation: Tools for Graduate SchoolNon-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. Formerly EDCC 601 - Transition to Graduate School Seminar.
  0 credits
• EDAD 599 Research in EducationExamines current trends in qualitative and quantitative educational research methodologies. Students learn to read, analyze, and interpret the current literature in teaching, student learning, and school administration. Topics include defining the research process, writing a review of the literature, exploring methods of gathering quantitative and qualitative data, developing a research design, and examining ethical issues related to the research process. Students will review and analyze research relevant to school administration.
  3 credits
• EDAD 602 Technology and SystemsExamines the national standards for integrating technology into a school and/or district. Theories and current research in technology integration will be included in reading assignments and discussions. Students will have experience using computer applications that support management and operational functions necessary in a school setting. Students will complete journal writing and group activities that promote problem solving from the school administrator's perspective. Students will be provided with a process for assessing the technological needs of a school and aligning school resources with these assessed needs. As a Final Project, students will develop a comprehensive technology plan that addresses the use of technology to support the management and instructional goals of the school.
  3 credits
  Hyrbid Online Course
• EDAD 607 Cultural DiversityExamines 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 633 Financial and Resource ManagementPrepares 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 634 Legal and Ethical Issues in School AdministrationIdentifies 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.
  3 credits
• EDAD 641 Administration of Early Childhood Care & Education ProgramsCandidates will be introduced to the principles and practices of establishing and/or administering an early childhood program. Emphasis will be devoted to effective leadership in early childhood management through program administration, child advocacy, organizational management, marketing and public relations, fiscal management, and an introduction to assessment and evaluation.
  3 credits
• EDAD 642 Early Childhood Growth and DevelopmentThe course will provide an overview of the historical development and philosophies of early childhood development. Candidates will examine the major theories of child development from infancy through early childhood as these theories apply to the socioemotional, intellectual, language and physical areas of development. Candidates will also examine child development from diverse perspectives and will address typical and atypical development in fine and gross motor skills as well as in socioemotional, language and cognitive abilities.
  3 credits
• EDAD 643 Early Childhood Learning EnvironmentCandidates will be introduced to the principles of an age-appropriate classroom setup and organization, the requirements of an age-appropriate learning environment, expected teacher-student interactions, and teacher observations and the evaluation process.
  3 credits
• EDAD 644 Early Childhood Curriculum ExplorationCandidates will explore various curriculum models and underlying theories utilized in designing early childhood curriculum. Candidates will be able to identify significant factors that have influenced curriculum development in early childhood education; examine curriculum models that have been used in a variety of early childhood programs; and critique early childhood curriculum models and curricula in light of issues of culture, philosophy, content, implementation and state and national standards.
  3 credits
• EDAD 645 Assessment Awareness and Early InterventionsCandidates focus on the appropriate use of assessment and observation strategies to provide data to assess the impact of the environment, interactions and curriculum on all domains of children's learning and development. Candidates will be introduced to and practice using recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios and multiple other assessment tools.
  3 credits

Field Experience (6 credits)

• EDAD 660 Internship I in AdministrationProvides 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 f ield supervisor, and a faculty member oversees the 90-hour intern field experience. Regularly scheduled seminars are held on campus to provide support and a forum for collaboration and discussion about the field experiences. A grade of B or higher is required to advance to Internship II.
  2 credits
• EDAD 661 Internship II in AdministrationCandidates will work under the supervision of an administrator in an early childhood setting. Candidates are expected to participate in a range of experiences that characterize the work of a Director in an early childhood setting. Candidates are expected to serve their internships and to meet all requirements. These will be documented in an intern notebook and a standards portfolio.
  2 credits
  Prerequisite: EDAD 660.
• EDAD 662 Internship III in AdministrationCandidates will work under the supervision of an administrator in an early childhood setting. Candidates are expected to participate in a range of experiences that characterize the work of a Director in an Early Childhood setting. Candidates are expected to serve their internships and to meet all requirements. These will be documented in an intern notebook and a standards portfolio.
  3 credits
  Prerequisites: EDAD 661

Course Descriptions