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

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.