Rosemary Murray, Chair; Douglas David, Director, Nancy Wellenzohn, Assistant Director
Leading a school organization is one of the most demanding and rewarding careers. A school leader 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 an experience of excellence as an educator.
The Canisius College Educational Administration Program is designed to assist candidates in acquiring the knowledge, skills and dispositions essential for 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 a student completes.
Possession of the SBL certificate is necessary for employment in the public schools of New York State in leadership roles such as building principal, assistant building principal, supervisor, coordinator, or any position in which a person is serving more than 25% of an assignment in an administrative or supervisory position. An appointment to positions such as superintendent of schools, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent, or any position with district-wide administrative responsibilities requires an SDL.
Course Offerings
All of the required courses and some of the electives for the SBL and the SDL are taught in both on-campus and on-line formats. All courses are offered at least once during the fall or spring semesters with all required courses offered in the summer semester, which consists of four sessions. Internship placements are coordinated with the candidate and take place at a site in the candidate’s local geographic area.
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.*
- 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.*
- A writing sample.
- An applicant may be required to meet with the program director or designee.
| Required courses for New York State License as a School Building LEader (SBL) (18 credit hours of course work plus internship): | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| 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 & EDA 680 OR EDA 690 |
Educational Administration Internships | 8 |
| Required courses for New York State License as a School District Leader (SDL). All the above SBL courses, plus: | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| 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 course work required for the SBL and SDL Licenses, plus 3 electives. | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
| Educational Administration Electives: | ||
| EDA 632 | Negotiating and Administering Employee Contracts | 3 |
| EDA 655 | School Leaders and Community Relations | 3 |
| EDA 656 | Technology Tools for the Administrator | 3 |
| EDA 661 | Emerging Issues in School Leadership | 3 |
The master’s degree in Educational Administration may not be used to meet New York State requirements for professional certification in teaching. School District Leader (SDL) certification requires at least 60 semester hours of graduate credit.
COURSES 2010-2012
EDA 600 Theory in School Administration 3 credits
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 610 School Law 3 credits
Principles of public school law with a focus on New York State 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, The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), least restrictive environment (LRE), and employee rights.
EDA 620 Supervision for the Improvement of Instruction 3 credits
Examination of the structure and significance of school reform, teaching and learning theories, Standards Theory, the change process, and instructional improvement and its reliance on leadership and resourcefulness. Other topics include clinical supervision, teacher mentoring and peer coaching.
EDA 625 Instructional Program Design 3 credits
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 credits
Broad overview of matters relating to 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 credits
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 credits
Overview of the major areas of responsibility of the school business administrator. Emphasis on a planning approach to educational leadership, the role of the position as a key member of the district’s leadership team and the school business administrator’s positive effect on student learning by facilitating decision-making.
EDA 650 The Principalship 3 credits
Study of the wide range of responsibilities of the building administrator as building manager and educational leader. Topics include establishing and maintaining positive relationships with all parties (students, teachers, staff, unions, parents, community, etc.), school climate, school safety, collaboration, change, employee supervision and improvement of instruction.
EDA 655 School Leaders and Community Relations 3 credits
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 credits
Introduction to the hardware and software that assist today’s school administrators in performing their responsibilities more effectively and efficiently, data storage and retrieval and performance gap analysis.
EDA 660 The Administrator and Pupil Personnel Services 3 credits
Survey course providing necessary background and understanding of the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of pupil personnel services (PPS) found in schools and districts. Topics include the 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 credits
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 credits
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 credits
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 credits
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 credits
The application of theoretical learning to practice. The intern performs responsibilities of an educational administrator under direct supervision of an on-site mentor and indirect supervision of a college supervisor. Students must find their own setting at the building and/or central office level. Prerequisites: 1-18 EDA credits and program director’s signature. Co-requisite: EDA 690L.