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
CAGS, Educational Leadership & Management, Principal (initial licensure)
Program Objectives
The Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership and Management prepares the candidate to meet the Massachusetts Professional Standards and Indicators for Administrative Leadership as School Principal (PK-8, 5-12). 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 strengthened.
Program Description
The CAGS program in Educational Leadership and Management 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?
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.
Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Endorsement Course
Prior to completion of the program of study, initial licensure candidates are required to take the Fitchburg State University ESE-approved SEI course, if needed, in order to be endorsed for licensure. Please note that SEI endorsement occurs following the completion of the program, not before. Please note that the DESE requires that the SEI course include at least 30 contact hours face-to-face to meet their requirements.
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