Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Education/Leadership Program, School Principal Certification Program, and Supervisor of Special Education Program, M.Ed.


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Program Entrance Requirements


The Master of Education/Leadership program at Saint Francis University provides advanced professional study and the opportunity to pursue certification as an elementary or secondary principal or Special Education supervisor. The program is designed to develop school leaders who can respond to the changing needs of the community they serve by providing visionary, instructional and administrative leadership.

In addition to the general Graduate School requirements, applicants to the School Principalship program must:

  1. hold an Instructional I certificate;
  2. Ideally, have completed five (5) years of professional school experience in Special Education; minimally, have completed three (3) years at the outset of the program;
  3. submit two letters of recommendation indicating the applicant’s academic ability and aptitude for school leadership.
  4. submit a paper discussing the candidate’s philosophy of education.
  5. enter with a 3.0 GPA.

In addition to the general Graduate School requirements, applicants for the Special Education Supervisor Certification program must:

  1. hold a Special Education certificate;
  2. ideally, have completed five (5) years of professional school experience; minimally, have completed three (3) years at the outset of the program;
  3. submit two letters of recommendation indicating the applicant’s academic ability and aptitude for school leadership.
  4. submit a paper discussing the candidate’s philosophy of education.
  5. enter with a 3.0 GPA.

The nature of the program necessitates a careful scrutiny of credentials and qualities of students applying for acceptance as candidates for certification.

Opportunities for making ethical administrative decisions in school administration are provided in all courses of the M.Ed./Leadership program. All decisions made by school leaders impact on student learning and the school or district culture. This focus is reflected in course content and organization of Saint Francis University’s Master of Education/Leadership Core, Enrichment, and Specialization areas.

Education Practicum for Principal Certification and Special Education Supervisor Certification Programs


The principal and special education supervisor programs both require a 360 hour practicum. This practicum experience should be driven by the problems of practice and the realities of schools and districts and is intended to tie theory to practical application. Students must design and implement administrative projects that reflect six major areas:

  1. Curriculum
  2. Supervision
  3. Organizational Management and Leadership
  4. Research and Evaluation
  5. Technology
  6. Intergroup Relations

Individual portfolios will be developed to validate accomplishments and a bi-monthly seminar will be held to review theory and application. Practicum objectives must be approved at least six weeks prior to registration for EDUC 606 .

The Saint Francis University M.Ed./Leadership Program is designed to build on essential knowledge, sound professional practice and established research findings. It integrates academic content with reflective practice based on actual school experience.

The Saint Francis University M.Ed./Leadership and Principal Certification and Special Education Supervisor Certification programs strive to prepare future administrators to provide:

  • visionary leadership
  • instructional leadership
  • administrative leadership.

Master of Education/Leadership Program of Studies:


Principal Certification, K-12:


(M.Ed./L degree plus certification total of 40 credits):


Those who already have a master’s degree and wish to be certified as a school principal should see the section below on Principal Certification 

(Master of Education/Leadership incorporates courses from MBA and MHRM Programs)
EDUC = Master of Education and Master of Education/Leadership
MBA = Master of Business Administration
MHRM = Human Resource and Industrial Relations

M.Ed./L. Program is 33 credits:


All courses are three (3) credits unless otherwise noted.

II. Enrichment:


[M.ED./LEADERSHIP - 3 CREDITS REQUIRED; PRACTICUM NOT INCLUDED]
[PRINCIPAL CERTIFICATION - PRACTICUM PLUS 3 CREDITS REQUIRED]

IV. Comprehensive Exam:


  •  EXAM 501 - Non-credit Examination

Note(s):


* Recommended for those pursuing principal’s certification.
** Required for those pursuing principal’s certification

Principal Certification:


(19 credits)

Candidates seeking admission to the principal, K-12 certification program must have a prerequisite master’s degree, earned either at Saint Francis University or another accredited college or university, and they must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. The master’s degree must have been granted within five years of the candidate’s application for admission to Saint Francis University’s principal certification program. A candidate whose master’s degree has been granted more than five years from the date of application may be required to complete additional credits from SFU’s Master of Education/Leadership Program. Applicants must have a School Law or Curriculum course. Each applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Special Education Supervisor Certification:


(M.Ed./L degree plus certification total of 39 credits):


Those who already have a master’s degree and wish to be certified as a special education supervisor should see the section below on Special Education Certification  only. (Master of Education/Leadership incorporates courses from MBA and HR/IR Programs):
EDUC = Master of Education and Master of Education/Leadership
MBA = Master of Business Administration
MHRM = Human Resource and Industrial Relations

M.Ed./L. Program is 33 credits:


All courses are three (3) credits unless otherwise noted.

II. Enrichment:


[M.ED./LEADERSHIP - 3 CREDITS REQUIRED; PRACTICUM NOT INCLUDED]
[SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPERVISOR CERTIFICATION - PRACTICUM PLUS 3 CREDITS REQUIRED]

IV. Comprehensive Exam:


  •  EXAM 501 - Non-credit Examination

Note(s):


* Recommended for those pursuing special education supervisor certification.
** Required for those pursuing
special education supervisor certification.

Special Education Supervisor Certification


(18 credits)

(Master’s degree required) Students with a master’s degree and an instructional certificate in special education may enroll in the special education supervisor certification program. The master’s degree must have been granted within five (5) years of their application to Saint Francis University’s Master of Education/Leadership degree program. If the master’s degree was not granted within a five-year period, the student will be required to complete a minimum of 24 credits from the Core, Enrichment, and Specialization areas. Each applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Master of Education/Leadership Degree Requirement Options


Option I: 33 Credits and Comprehensive Examination (EXAM 501)


  • This is a non-credit examination ($150 fee) designed to assess students’ ability to synthesize and apply their learning. This exam takes approximately five (5) hours to complete.
  • Students should apply for the comprehensive examination after they have completed all course work with a QPA of at least 3.0 within the Master of Education Leadership degree program.
  • Students that are eligible to take the Comprehensive Exam should register for the exam when registering for courses. Students need to register for Exam 501. The Master of Education comprehensive examination is given three times annually: once each during the fall and spring semesters and once during the summer term.
  • The comprehensive exam may be taken no more than two times.

Option II: 33 Credits and a Master’s Thesis (36 credits total)


  • A letter requesting approval must be sent to the Education Department Chair. Approval must be granted and a mentor assigned for pursuing this option.
  • Students should apply after they have completed all course work with a QPA of at least 3.0 within the Master of Education/Leadership Program.
  • When approval is complete, students must enroll in EDUC 601 - Independent Study . This is a three-credit course.

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