Educational Leadership and Management: School Principal, CAGS (PreK-6, 5-8, 9-12, Non-Licensure)

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

Graduate Committee

Ronald Colbert, EdD
Rosemarie Giovino, EdD
Nancy Kelly, PhD
Susan Williams, PhD

General Philosophy

Fitchburg State University’s CAGS programs are designed to meet well-defined career needs of professionals who have earned an appropriate master’s degree and who wish to attain greater competency in a combination of areas of study within one of the major CAGS fields offered.

General Description of Program

Each student’s CAGS program is planned under the direction of an advisor and is built on the academic background, professional position, and career goals of the student. CAGS programs consist of an integrated core curriculum, supervised professional practice, an Internship, and elective courses.

General Program of Study

Upon acceptance into the program, the student’s plan of study is developed with and approved by an advisor, who works with the student over the course of study. A minimum of 30 approved graduate credits is required to complete the CAGS with the following restrictions:

• CAGS courses may not repeat work previously accomplished by the student in other graduate degree study
• CAGS credits must be earned in graduate-level courses

Details regarding the CAGS curricula, including information about required and elective courses, may be found in the specific CAGS program descriptions which follow.

Educational Leadership and Management

Graduate Program Co-Chairs

Randy Howe, EdD
Edward Philbin, CAGS

Graduate Committee

Charles Conroy, EdD

Program Objectives

The CAGS in Educational Leadership and Management Program prepares the student to meet the standards of Massachusetts Educator Initial Licensure as either a Supervisor/Director (P-12) or School Principal (P-6, 5-8, 9-12). The program offers courses and experience that equip school administrators with the skills and competencies necessary for becoming effective educational leaders.

About the Program

The CAGS Program is an interdepartmental program. Within this spirit, relationships between faculty members in education departments and other programs across the university have been allied.

Program Description

The CAGS program in Educational Leadership and Management is designed for students with the desire to:

• Develop competencies in managerial skills related to political arenas, personnel, fiscal affairs, acquisition of material resources, diverse publics and pupil populations and organizational change
• Strengthen, deepen and expand the knowledge base in the field of leadership and management in order to anticipate and to solve current and future problems inherent in the educational system
• Demonstrate through course work and field-based experiences the knowledge, skills and attitudes that are required to lead and manage an educational enterprise effectively and efficiently

The Program offers preparation for two Massachusetts Educator Licenses

Principal Licensure (PreK-6, 5-8, 9-12)
Supervisor/Director Licensure (P-12)

There are two initial licensure options in this program. Option A is for students who wish to seek school principal licensure; Option B is for students who wish to supervise or direct programs in a school system. Successful completion of the degree and all requisite licensure requirements qualifies degree recipients for endorsement as a principal or supervisor/director.

Non-Licensure Candidates

Students who do not wish to pursue licensure plan a program of study that includes courses from each of the four competency areas and develop a 39 semester hour program that meets their professional and personal goals. Such a program should be planned with and approved by the student’s advisor. Applicants to the non-licensure track do not need to submit scores from the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply for enrollment in the CAGS in Educational Leadership and Management Program, candidates must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admission section as well as:

• Official transcript of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Documentation of a minimum of three years teaching experience
• MAT/GRE/GMAT exams are not required
• Applicants must provide documentation of a valid teacher certification/license at the initial level.
• Applicants to Option A and B must successfully complete the literacy and communication subtests of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) and submit passing scores as part of their application.
• Personal Statement

Students must complete an essay of no more than one page in response to one of the following questions/ statement:

1. Tell about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.
2. What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?
3. Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping role.
   • Describe the situation as it occurred at the time.
   • What did you do in that particular situation?
   • How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it?
   • How do you feel about the situation now?
   • What would you change, if anything?

For more information regarding licensure requirements for teacher preparation programs, contact the Educator Licensure Office at (978) 665-3239 or visit their web site at www.fitchburgstate.edu/edunit.

Program Requirements

A minimum of 39 graduate credits is required to complete the CAGS program. The program prepares the student for application for one of the two initial licenses: principal license (Option A) and supervisor/director (Option B). Both programs consist of:

• A core of tightly-focused and comprehensive courses
• Students within the Massachusetts licensure sequence are involved in three broad-based pre-practicum experiences leading up to the formal practicum/internship. A supervised practicum/internship is in the form of field-based educational experience.
• The practicum/internship is 300 clock hours to be completed within one year
• Optional Thesis (EDLM 9500 ): A thesis topic is chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor early in the last year of study, or no later than the completion of 24 semester hours of study. A student must successfully defend their thesis to a committee as described in the handbook of thesis guidelines
• Comprehensive exam covering the basic principles and concepts inherent in the field of educational leadership and management.

Program of Study

Non-licensure Candidates

Non-licensure candidates plan a program of study including courses from each competency area (see below). Nonlicensure candidates are required to take the comprehensive examination.