Educational Leadership and Management, CAGS, Non-Licensure

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

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
• 6000-level professional development courses may not be taken or transferred in as part of the CAGS program of study

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

Educational Leadership and Management

Graduate Program Chair

Phillip Saisa, EdD

Graduate Curriculum Committee

Nermin Bayazit, PhD
Lyndsey Benharris, PhD
Anne Howard, PhD
Laurie Link, EdD
Margaret O’Hearn-Curran, PhD
Phillip Saisa, EdD
Robert Shapiro, PhD, BCBA-D
Annette Sullivan, EdD

Educational Leadership and Managment, Non-Licensure

Program Objectives

The Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and Management, Non-Licensure concentration, offers courses and experience that equip school administrators with the skills and competencies necessary for becoming effective educational leaders.

Program Description

The CAGS program in Educational Leadership and Management, Non-Licensure concentration, is designed for candidates 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 dispositions that are required to collaboratively lead and manage an educational enterprise effectively and efficiently to improve teaching and learning

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
•    Evidence of a GPA of 3.0 or above
•    Evidence of successful passage of the communication and literacy portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)
•    Three professional references, including the recommendation checklist which scores applicant characteristics
•    A professional resume

Candidates write an essay in response to one of three prompts:

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?

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to evaluate curriculum to ensure that it is aligned to standards, effectively assessed, research based, and accessible by all students

• Demonstrates an understanding of management and operations as it pertains to human resources, data management systems, and fiscal management

• Demonstrates knowledge of strategies used to develop and environment that physically, socially, and emotionally safe for students and staff

• Demonstrates ability to engage families and communities in a culturally proficient manner

• Demonstrates knowledge of strategies used to promote a positive professional culture including development of a shared vision, focus on high standards, and a focus on continuous learning

Required Courses

• EDLM 8012 - Law, Ethics, & Policies for the Educator
• EDLM 8023 - Principles for Success for Effective Administrators
• EDLM 8026 - Data–Informed Decision Making for School Improvement & Student Learning
• EDLM 8027 - Meaningful Family & Community Engagement and Partnerships
• EDLM 8028 - Public School Finance, Human Resources and Personnel Administration
• EDLM 8029 - Instructional and Curriculum Leadership and Evaluation
• EDLM 8050 - Seminar: Research in Educational Leadership
• EDLM 9005 - Dynamic Perspectives in Education
• EDLM 9035 - Collegial Supervision in an Era of Accountability
• EDLM 9045 - Dynamics of Planned Change
• EDUC 9510 - Capstone: Implementation of Best Practices
• ETEC 9200 - Project in Educational Technology

• One Approved Elective, 3 credits

Total for Degree: 39 credits