1. Why choose Canisius' on-line educational administration program?
- With more than 75 years of experience in granting master's degrees in education, Canisius is one of the most well respected schools in the region.
- Canisius' School of Education and Human Services is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
- The Canisius administration certification program is approved by the New York State Education Department.
- All required core courses can be completed on-line. Required internships will be completed in the students' local area with the assistance of a mentor and a college supervisor.
Once the program begins in the Fall 2009, you can start during any of our three terms and move through the required courses at your own pace. We offer three terms: Fall (late August), Spring (mid-January) and Summer (May/June). We do not offer a "cohort" program nor do we require a set sequence for the order of our courses.
3. How long will it take to complete certification requirements?
All requirements for the Educational Administration program can be found using the admissions link on the program home page.
5. Will the entire program be taken online or will I need to come to Buffalo, NY?
All six core courses for the SBL (18 credits) and the two core courses (6 credits) for the SDL will be taken on-line. Internships will take place in the student's geographic region. The college will provide supervisors for each region and students will arrange for mentors at their internship sites. There is no residency requirement on the Canisius campus.
6. What is the cost of the program?
Tuition for the program during School Year 2009-2010 is $680 per credit hour. Rates for the school year are effective May 2009.
7. Will I learn as much in an on-line MSED program as in a regular program?
There has been much debate and investigation on this topic. Current opinion seems to support the conclusion that on-line learning can be just as effective as regular classroom instruction. Researchers point out that in classroom settings students are able to avoid participation and let others interact. In contrast, with online instruction there is nowhere to hide. The learning experience requires constant interaction between instructors and students and students and their peers. On-line instruction is not for everyone but for the motivated learner who is comfortable with using technology, on-line instruction can be equal to or even more effective than traditional classroom teaching.
8. How will I take the on-line classes?
You will be able to take these classes using a home or school based computer that is linked to the web. As with most on-line experiences, a faster connection will enhance this interactive experience. Canisius College uses an instructional program called "Angel" for its online courses. The Angel Learning System is widely used and has established itself as a user-friendly interface between faculty and students. Participants in the program will use Angel and email to complete course assignments and to communicate with classmates and faculty.
9. When registering for courses, which section of the course should I register (i.e., ONL vs. WEB)?
Students should only select courses with the ONL (on-line) section identifier.
10. Once registered for my courses, how do I get started?
You will use the Canisius Angel Learning System, located on the Canisius College Web site, to get instructions for each of your courses of study. Once registered, simply use your username and password to log in to the Angel site. Once logged in, you will see a listing of your registered courses. You can get course information, including textbooks needed for the course. You should also use your username/password to check your Canisius email account (Griffmail) for an email from your professor with course information, including the first assignment and textbook information.
11. How do I purchase books for my courses?
Books may be purchased on-line from the Canisius Bookstore at: http://www.bkstr.com/CategoryDisplay/10001-9604-10344-1?demoKey=d. When selecting textbooks, make sure to select "EDA" for the "Select Your Department" drop down box and "ONL" for the "Select Your Section" drop down box.
12. Will I have a program advisor?
All on-line students will be advised by the Graduate Director of Educational Administration. Internships will be coordinated by the Assistant Graduate Director of Educational Administration.
13. Who will be the on-line instructors?
All instructors will be full time professors in the School of Education and Human Services or practicing or retired administrators.
14. How do I apply?
You can complete a Graduate Application for the School of Education and Human Services online for free. We recommend that you submit all application materials at least 30 days before your desired start date.