educational administration
Paul Nochelski, S.J., Chair; Paul Fields, Program Director; Douglas David, Coordinator of Internships.
Leading a school organization is one of the most demanding and rewarding careers. As a school leader, one has the opportunity to shape the lives of learners of all ages. Students in the Canisius College Educational Administration Program are expected to enroll with not only the desire to be a leader, but also with a rich history of excellence as an educator.
The Canisius College Educational Administration Program is designed to assist candidates in acquiring the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential to a successful career as a school leader. This competency-based program leads to a New York State School Building Leader license (SBL), a New York State School District Leader license (SDL), and/or a master’s degree in educational administration, depending upon the amount of graduate work in which a student wishes to engage.
Possession of the SBL certificate is necessary for employment in the public schools of New York State in such leadership roles as building principal, assistant building principal, supervisor, coordinator, or any position in which a person is serving more than 25% of his/her assignment in an administrative or supervisory position. An appointment to such positions as superintendent of schools, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent, or any position with district-wide administrative responsibilities requires a SDL.
The New York State Education Department has recently made changes to the requirements for educational administration licensure, with implementation scheduled for September 1, 2006. Canisius College has not only received re-certification from SED, but has been nationally recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).
Admission requirements
In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to graduate work in the Canisius College School of Education and Human Services, the applicant must submit the following:
- Evidence (an official and final transcript) of an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education;
- Evidence of a minimum of three (3) years of successful, full- time teaching and/or pupil personnel service experience in K-12 schools*; and
- Written recommendations from three (3) professional educators, one of whom must be a certified school administrator familiar with the applicant’s work as a professional educator.*
- A program preference form.*
- Submission of a writing sample.
*These forms are available in the Office of the School of Education and Human Services and on the program Web site.
Required courses for New York State License as a School Building Leader (SBL)(18 credit hours of course work plus an internship):
| EDA 600 | Theory in School Administration | 3 |
| EDA 610 | School Law | 3 |
| EDA 620 | Supervision for the Improvement of Instruction | 3 |
| EDA 625 | Instructional Program Design | 3 |
| EDA 630 | School Personnel Administration | 3 |
| EDA 650 | The Principalship | 3 |
| EDA 675 & 680 | Educational Administration Internships | 8 |
Required courses for New York State License as a School District Leader (SDL) Must take all the above SBL courses, plus:
| EDA 640 | School Business Administration | 3 |
| EDA 660 | The Administrator and Pupil Personnel Services | 3 |
Required courses for Master of Science degree in Educational Administration All of the coursework required for the SBL an SDL Licenses, plus:
| EDA 661 | Emerging Issues in School Leadership | 3 |
| EDA 655 | School Leaders and Community Relations | 3 |
| EDA 615 | Educational Administration Elective | 3 |
Educational Administrative Electives
| EDA 632 | Negotiating and Administering Employee Contracts |
| EDA 656 | Technology Tools for the Administrator |
The master's degree in Educational Administration may not be used to meet NYS requirements for professional certification in teaching.
COURSES 2006-2008
EDA 600 Theory in School Administration 3
Theories as they may relate to the forces reshaping our schools. Topics such as the following may be investigated: organizational models, characteristics of leadership, change systems, vision development and school design.
EDA 604 Catholic Administration Seminar I 3
EDA 606 Catholic Administration Seminar II 3
Both EDA 604 and EDA 606 focus on selected topics pertinent to the administration of Catholic elementary and secondary schools. The two courses are offered during alternating summers.
EDA 610 School Law 3
Principles of public school law with a focus on NYS Education Law and select federal and state cases affecting the administration of our educational system. Topics include student residency, attendance and discipline; freedom of speech; search and seizure; FERPA; IDEA; LRE; employee rights.
EDA 620 Supervision for the Improvement of Instruction 3
Examination of the structure and significance of school reform, teaching and learning theories, Standards Theory, the change process, and how instructional improvement relies on leadership and resourcefulness. Other topics include clinical supervision, teacher mentoring and peer coaching.
EDA 625 Instructional Program Design 3
Comprehensive overview of the concepts, strategies and resources associated with planning, implementing and evaluating school curricula. Attention will be focused on contemporary research regarding constructivist principles, invitational learning, cooperative learning, outcome-based education, multiculturalism, learning styles, multiple intelligences and techniques that support curricular change. The course combines theory with practical strategies.
EDA 630 School Personnel Administration 3
Broad overview of matters having to with leadership and organization of school personnel. The following topics will be explored: staff recruitment and selection; employee induction; professional development; supervision and evaluation; discipline and dismissal; the work environment; compensation and benefits; administering employee contracts and legal issues in personnel management.
EDA 632 Negotiating and Administering Employee Contracts 3
History, “language,” trends, preparation activities and effective practices of contract negotiations. Additional discussion topics include impasse and mediation, work stoppage activities (i.e., work-to-rule and striking), contract grievances, arbitration and the importance of proper administration of an employee contract. Students will engage in mock contract negotiations.
EDA 640 School Business Administration 3
Overview of the major areas of responsibility of the school business administrator. Emphasis on a planning approach to educational leadership and the role of the position as a key member of the district’s leadership team; how the school business administrator has a positive effect on student learning by facilitating decision-making..
EDA 650 The Principalship 3
Study of the wide range of responsibilities of the building administrator, as building manager and educational leader. Topics include establishing/maintaining positive relationships with all parties (students, teachers, staff, unions, parents, community, etc.); school climate; school safety; collaboration; change; employee supervision; improvement of instruction.
EDA 655 School Leaders and Community Relations 3
Principles and practices involved in establishing and maintaining desirable relationships with all members of the community — parents, non-parents, business, police and fire, community agencies, etc.
EDA 656 Technology Tools in Educational Administration 3
Introduction to the hardware and software that assist today’s school administrators in performing their responsibilities more effectively and efficiently; data storage and retrieval, performance gap analysis.
EDA 660 The Administrator and Pupil Personnel Services 3
Survey course providing necessary background/understanding of the quantitative/qualitative dimensions of pupil personnel services (PPS) found in schools/districts. Topics include role of the administrator; mandated delivery mechanisms and the “language” of PPS as it relates to special education; compensatory education, testing and assessment, school counseling, etc.
EDA 661 Emerging Issues in School Leadership 3
Exploration of contemporary educational issues, their impact on current administrative practices, and methods to maximize positive results when confronting such issues. Areas of skill development include efficient and effective communications, management of school climate to minimize the stress of change and creative problem solving.
EDA 670 Independent Study in Educational Leadership 3
May be used only when a class is needed for graduation or certification and is not otherwise available. This course may not be used when regular course offerings are available and suitable or because the time of a regularly scheduled class is inconvenient for a student. Prerequisite: Program director’s signature.
EDA 675 Administrative Internship I 4
This internship may be taken by only those students who have successfully completed 1 credit hour in Administration. Program director’s signature required. Co-requisite: EDA 690L. (Please see course description for EDA 690 and EDA 690L).
EDA 680 Administrative Internship II 4
This internship may be taken by only those students who successfully completed EDA 675. (Please see course description for EDA 690 and EDA 690L).
EDA 690 Educational Administration Internship 8
Opportunity to apply theoretical learning to practice. Intern performs responsibilities of an educational administrator under direct supervision of on-site mentor and indirect supervision of college supervisor. Student must find own setting at building and/or central office level. Prerequisites: 1-18 EDA credits and program director’s signature. Co-requisite: EDA 690L.
EDA 690L: Educational Administration Internship Lab 0
Additional opportunities for interns to learn from practicing administrators and from activities using simulation and role-play. Also, interns will receive instruction in areas required by NYS for certification (for example, Project SAVE).
Co-requisite: EDA 675 or EDA690.