Programs & Courses

Educational Leadership Program Coordinator: Dr. Lynne Yeamans

Master of Education in Educational Leadership

The Master of Education in Educational Leadership program (M.Ed.) is designed to prepare students for the following positions in school administration:

  • Supervisor/Director (all levels)
  • Administrator of Special Education (all levels)
  • School Business Administrator (all levels)
  • Elementary School Principal (Pre-K-6)
  • Middle School Principal (5-9)
  • High School Principal (9-12)
  • Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent (all levels)

These programs have been approved for certification purposes by the Massachusetts Department of Education. This includes certification reciprocity with signatory states under the Interstate Certification Compact.

Where required, candidates who possess an appropriate initial certificate and who have had one year’s employment under that certificate will be considered for acceptance into the program. Documentation of this must be on file with the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Upon completion of their program option, students seeking Massachusetts certification must possess an appropriate Massachusetts initial certificate and have had three years of employment in the role covered by that certificate except where not required by certification regulations.

A minimum of thirty-six approved graduate credits is required in this degree program. It should be understood that those who anticipate preparing for some of the above positions, such as superintendency, should plan to do graduate work beyond the minimum.

Applicants are required to submit a qualifying score on the Communications and Literacy Skills portion of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Test.

Students may choose one of eight program options: supervisor/director (various levels), administrator of special education (all levels), school business administrator (all levels), elementary school principal (PreK-6), middle school principal (5-9), high school principal (9-12) or superintendent/assistant superintendent (all levels). As part of their chosen program option, students must satisfactorily complete the following curriculum:

Initial License

EDLE 510

Seminar on Educational Leadership for the future (3 credits)

EDLE 511

Educational Leadership and Managerial Effectiveness (3 credits)

EDLE 530

Research Applications for School Leaders (3 credits)

EDLE 564

Selection and Development of Educational Personnel (3 credits)

EDLE 565

School Finance and Business Administration (3 credits)

EDLE 567
EDLE 579

Human Concerns in the Schools (3 credits) OR
Diversity Issues for School Leaders (3 credits)

EDLE 569

Legal Aspects of School Administration (3 credits)

EDLE 572

Technology for School Administrators (3 credits)

EDLE 578

Curriculum Improvement (3 credits)

School business administrator only:

POLI 521
POLI 592

Public Finance (3 credits) OR
Special Topics in Public Administration (3 credits)

Principal/Assistant Principal candidates only choose one of the following:

EDLE 561

Elementary School Administration (3 credits)
(degree requirement for school principal/assistant principal PreK-6 program option

EDLE 562

High School Administration (3 credits)
(degree requirement for school principal/assistant principal 8-12 program option

EDLE 563

Middle School Administration (3 credits)
(degree requirement for school principal/assistant principal 5-8 program option

Superintendent/assistant superintendent only:

EDLE 591

Seminar on the Superintendency (3 credits)

Special Education Administrator only:

SPED 512

The Organization and Administration of Special Education (3 credits)

Supervisor/Director only:

EDMC 531

Standard-Based Curriculum (3 credits)

Practicum or Internship choose one of the following courses:

EDLE 580

Practicum in Administration of Special Education (6 credits)

EDLE 582

Practicum in School Business Administration (6 credits)

EDLE 583

Practicum in Supervisorship/Directorship (6 credits)

EDLE 584

Practicum in Elementray School Principalship (6 credits)

EDLE 585

Practicum in Middle School Principalship (6 credits)

EDLE 586

Practicum in High School Principalship (6 credits)

EDLE 587

Practicum in Superintendency/Assistant Superintendency (6 credits)

Only candidates seeking licensure will be required to complete an internship or practicum.

Upon completion of their program option, students seeking Massachusetts licensure must possess an appropriate initial certificate and have had three years of employment in the role covered by that certificate. This must be documented in order to become certifiable.

M.Ed. comprehensive examinations are given by the committee during the months of November and March only. Students should consult the college calendar in the catalog for examination request deadlines.

For additional information relative to this program, students not yet matriculated should consult with the coordinator of the program.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study-CAGS (39 credit hours for Licensure and 30 credit hours for NON-Licensure)

Graduate students who hold a master's degree in a field of education and who are seeking further study in educational leadership may pursue the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) program. This program is designed to enable the student to:

  1. Take educational initiatives by encouraging innovation, planning and implementing strategic change and having the self-confidence to be a risk-taker.
  2. Analyze and prioritize problems by acquiring and interpreting key information and by resisting premature judgments.
  3. Build and maintain teams for continuous improvement of teaching and learning by communicating expectations and by developing and empowering others.
  4. Expand learning opportunities for all constituencies by having and advocating a need to be a life-long learner.

Program Description

The CAGS in Educational Leadership is a cohort, weekend program through which students earn 30 or more credits beyond the master's and may meet state certification requirements for educational leaders through a college-sponsored internship.

In the cohort model, a group of 18-24 students begin the program together and move through it as a group. Class sessions are planned for Friday evening and all day Saturday. Classes are held on six weekends in the fall and spring semesters and for two full weeks in the summer June/July.

Students who complete the CAGS program and wish to pursue a doctoral degree receive an additional benefit. Bridgewater graduates who apply to and are accepted into the doctoral program in educational leadership at University of Massachusetts-Lowell may apply 12 of the credits earned toward the 48 credits required as part of the doctorate degree.

Admission Standards and Criteria

Entrance to the program will be determined based upon the following:

  1. Master's degree from an accredited college or university (official transcript required).
  2. Three letters of recommendation (one from immediate supervisor).
  3. Completed application form.
  4. Academic certification through Massachusetts Department of Education.
  5. Qualifying score on the Communication and Literacy skills portion of the Massachusetts Educator Certification Test.

Program of Study

The initial courses in this program are designed in part to start students working on their leadership projects - Introduction to CAGS, Research Issues for School Administration, and Systems Planning. The remaining courses are designed to provide a sound knowledge base for practitioners and meet state certification requirements.

Content Courses:

EDLE 670

CAGS Seminar (3 credits)

EDLE 675

Research Issues in School Administration (3 credits)

EDLE 667
EDLE 579

Communication Between and Amont School Stakeholders (3 credits) OR
Diversity Issues for School Leaders (3 credits)

EDLE 672

Technology for Administrators (3 credits)

EDLE 677

Systems Planning for Educational Leaders (3 credits)

EDLE 664

The Personnel Function of Public Schools (3 credits)

EDLE 665

Fiscal Aspects of School Administration (3 credits)

EDLE 669

Concepts and Cases in School Law (3 credits)

EDLE 678

Curriculum Development and Program Management (3 credits)

EDLE 681

CAGS Extern (3 credits)

EDLE 682

CAGS Extern II (1 credit)

School business administrator only:

POLI 521
POLI 592

Public Finance (3 credits) OR
Special Topics in Public Administration (3 credits)

Principal/Assistant Principal candidates only choose one of the following:

EDLE 661

Elementary School Administration (3 credits)
(degree requirement for school principal/assistant principal PreK-6 program option

EDLE 662

Middle School Administration (3 credits)
(degree requirement for school principal/assistant principal 5-8 program option

EDLE 663

High School Administration (3 credits)
(degree requirement for school principal/assistant principal 9-12 program option

Superintendent/assistant superintendent only:

EDLE 691

Seminar on the Superintendency (3 credits)

Special Education Administrator only:

SPED 512

The Organization and Administration of Special Education (3 credits)

Supervisor/Director only:

EDMC 531

Standard-Based Curriculum (3 credits)

Practicum or Internship (choose one of the following courses):

EDLE 680

Practicum in Administration of Special Education (6 credits)

EDLE 679

Practicum in School Business Administration (6 credits)

EDLE 683

Practicum in Supervisorship/Directorship (6 credits)

EDLE 684

Practicum in Elementray School Principalship (6 credits)

EDLE 685

Practicum in Middle School Principalship (6 credits)

EDLE 686

Practicum in High School Principalship (6 credits)

EDLE 687

Practicum in Superintendency/Assistant Superintendency (6 credits)

EDLE 688

Practicum in Directorship of Guidance (6 credits)

EDLE 689

Practicum in Directorship of Pupil Personnel (6 credits)

CAGS comprehensive examinations are given by the committee when individual students are ready for the defense of their leadership project. Students should consult with their advisor for examination request deadlines.

Accelerated School Administrator Licensure Program (18 course credits and a practicum of 6 credits)

The Accelerated School Administrator Licensure Program in Educational Leadership enables students to be endorsed for an administrative license after completing three semesters of course and fieldwork. The program prepares participants for one of five areas of licensure:

  1. Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent
  2. Principal/Assistant Principal
  3. Special Education Administrator
  4. Business Manager
  5. Supervisor/Director

 

Admissions requirements for the program are as follows:*

  1. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 2.8 GPA
  2. Letter articulating participant’s philosophy of education
  3. Three letters of recommendation
  4. Original transcripts from previous institution(s) of higher education
  5. Initial Licensure in other area dependent upon administrative licensure sought (Exceptions are granted on a case by case basis)
  6. A passing score on the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure [MTEL]*
  7. Entrance Interview (face-to-face) over the phone by Educational Leadership program advisor.

*Note: Conditional admission to the program may be granted, however CLEAR admission will only be granted if the passing MTEL Scores are submitted by the conclusion of the first semester of classes in the program.

Program completion requirements are as follows:

  • A minimum of 18 course credits and a practicum of 6 credits

 

EDLE 509**

Introduction to Educational Leadership/E-Folio Development (3 credits)

EDLE 564/664

Selection and Development of School Personnel (3 credits)

EDLE 565/665

School Finance (3 credits)

EDLE 511/677

Managerial Effectiveness/Systems Planning (3 credits)

EDLE 569/669

School Law (3 credits)

EDLE 561/661-2-3

School Administration (Principal Candidates only) (3 credits)

EDLE 591/691

Seminar in Superintendency (Superintendent Candidates only) (3 credits)

SPED 512

Organization & Administration of Special Ed (Special Education Administrator only) (3 credits)

POLI 521/592

Public Finance or Special Topics in School Admin (School Business Administrator only) (3 credits)

6 credit practicum

 

Please contact the program coordinator for more information.

** During the portfolio review in EDLE509, it may be determined that participants may waive one or two courses based on documented professional experience. Determination will be made by program coordinator and portfolio review panel.   

 

If the participant desires, he/she may within two years of completing the licensure program, transfer the courses into the M.Ed or CAGS. in Educational Leadership and complete the degree requirements by enrolling in the following courses:

 

EDLE 530/EDLE 675

Research Issues in Educational Administration (3 credits)

EDLE572/EDLE 672

Technology for Administrators (3 credits)

EDLE 579

Diversity Issues for School Administrators (3 credits)

EDLE578/EDLE 678

Curriculum Development and Improvement (3 credits)

 

All students in planning on transferring to the M.Ed or CAGS program must meet with the program coordinator for graduate advising before approval of transfer.

 

Sample schedules for the Accelerated Administrative Licensure Program

Spring

2-3 courses in the weekend/weekday or web-enhanced

Summer

2-3 courses in the weekend/weekday or web-enhanced

Fall

Practicum (6 credits)

 Or

Summer

2-3 courses in the weekend/weekday or web-enhanced

Fall

2-3 courses in the weekend/weekday or web-enhanced

Spring

Practicum (6 credits)

Please note: Students that choose to take only 2 courses a semester will be extending their program completion date by one additional semester.

Program costs as of Fall 2007

Six graduate level courses (18 credits)  @837.90/course

$5027.40

Six credit practicum

$1675.80

TOTAL Program COSTS

$6703.20*  (This may be subject to change)
  • Note that only four additional courses would lead to the M.Ed. or five for CAGS if the candidate has a Masters in Educational Leadership or related field as approved by the coordinator.
  • Candidates for CAGS will be required to complete four courses and an externship. Details will be provided prior to program change.

Please contact the program coordinator at 508-531-1493 for additional information.

Last Modified: September 5, 2007