West Virginia University 1 Public School Administration CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS INTO THIS PROGRAM. The Educational Leadership Public Education Administration Program at West Virginia University prepares individuals for leadership positions in elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educational institutions. Although most of our students pursue administrative careers at the secondaryeducation level, some prepare for college or university research, teaching, and/or staff positions. Degrees Offered Master of Arts (M.A.) in education leadership/public school administration Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership/public school administration Certifications Offered Certification for elementary and secondary school principals Certification for instructional supervisors Certification for superintendents FACULTY CHAIR Dale S. Niederhauser - Ph.D. PROFESSOR Helen Hazi - Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Micah Fierstein - Ed.D. Oregon State University Admissions for Masters with Principle Certification IMPORTANT: Students must complete the Praxis II (0411) within the last four (4) years, and the Teacher Evaluation Training Seminar provided by the West Virginia Center for Professional Development in order to receive ALL certifications. Applicants for a master of arts degree in educational leadership studies must comply with the WVU requirements for admission to graduate studies, the requirements of the College of Education and Human Services, and those of the educational leadership studies program. Admission to all programs is contingent on assessment of complete official transcripts of all higher education work attempted and other evidence the faculty may deem necessary to judge probable success in the graduate program. Admission procedures are explained more completely on the EDLS program admissions page on the department s website. In order to graduate, students must earn at least a 3.25 grade point average on all program work attempted. The admissions requirements for the master of arts degree are as follows: 1. Application for Admission to Graduate School http://grad.wvu.edu/admissions 2. All official college transcripts, undergraduate and graduate* 3. The undergraduate grade point average, for the last two years of coursework, must not be below 3.0 (on a four-point scale). 4. The graduate grade point average in all graduate courses taken before admissions to our program must be no lower than 3.25 (on a four-point scale). 5. On the Graduate Record Examination, applicants must score no lower than 460 for the verbal section, 500 for the quantitative, and 3.0 for the analytical section. GRE scores must be taken within five years before the date of application. In addition, all applicants whose native language is not English must submit a score of at least 93 on the internet based (IBT) TOEFL examination. [WVU institution code: 5904]* 6. Statement of professional experiences and career aspirations 7. Professional resume 8. Two reference letters
2 Public School Administration * Send items 2 and 5 to: Office of Admissions, West Virginia University, P. O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009, Phone: (304) 293-2121, Fax: (304)293-3080. Admissions Procedures The Ed.D. in Public School Administration program admits students to the program during the fall term. The application deadline is April 15 for the fall semester. For admission consideration, applicants are required to submit the following documents: 1. Application for admission to the Graduate School (located at www.grad.wvu.edu ). Please attach items 2, 3, 4, and 5 to this online application form. 2. Cover letter describing your past work experience and goals for graduate study in Public School Administration 3. Resume 4. Three letters of reference commenting on your proficiency for graduate study 5. A writing sample 6. All official college transcripts, undergraduate and graduate. The undergraduate grade point average must equal to or greater than 3.25 (on a fourpoint scale).* 7. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) scores taken within five years of the date of application. Applicants must score at or above the fiftieth percentile on the GRE or MAT examinations. In addition, all applicants whose native language is not English must have a minimum score of 93 on the internet-based test (IBT) TOEFL examination. [WVU Institution Code: 5904]* * Send items 6 and 7 to: Office of Admissions, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009, Phone: (304) 293-2121, Fax: (304) 293-3080. Acceptance Policy The University Graduate Council sets minimum standards for admission into graduate study. However, faculty members in each respective program area decide who should be admitted into graduate study under their supervision. Ultimately, it is them who certify which students have demonstrated sufficient mastery of the discipline to qualify for a graduate degree. Although a student may be admitted for the purpose of enrolling in advanced coursework, only the program faculty may grant permission for the pursuit of a degree. Likewise, a student will not be recommended for a degree until the faculties of that specific graduate program have indicated, in writing, that the student has gained satisfactory knowledge and has completed all the requirements for the graduate program. Applicants for an Ed. D. in Public School Administration must comply with the WVU requirements for admission to Graduate Studies, the requirements of the College of Human Resources and Education, and those that the EDLS program has specified. Admission to all programs is contingent on an assessment of complete official transcripts, including all higher education work attempted, and other evidence the faculty may deem necessary in order to judge students prospective success within the graduate program. If applicants meet the minimum requirements, they may be invited to an on-campus interview. Students will receive official notification of acceptance or rejection within one month of the interview. All students accepted into the program will receive information about their assigned advisor and guidance on the development of a personalized program of study. The Master of arts program is a blended program utilizing instructional technology to prepare students as dynamic leaders in educational institutions. The masters degree leads to principal certification K-12. CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS Required Foundation Courses EDLS 601 Dynamics-Educational Organiztn 3 EDLS 602 Human Resources Dynamics 3 EDLS 603 Principles-Educatnal Leadershp 3 EDLS 610 School Business Administration 3 EDLS 611 Principles of Supervision 3 EDLS 612 School:Policies/Politics/Laws 3 EDLS 785 Education Administrtn Intrnshp (3 one hour classes of EDLS 785) 3 EDP 600 Educational Psychology 3 EDLS 613 Plan/Resrch/Eval-School Leadrs 3 EDLS 614 Community and Media Relations 3 EDLS 620 Site Based Leadership 3 EDLS 693 Special Topics (Technology and Leadership) 3 Elective Courses
West Virginia University 3 Select TWO of the following: C&I 701 Curriculum Development ( OR) 3 C&I 604 School Curriculum SCFD 600 Sociology Of Education ( OR) 3 SCFD 640 History Of American Education Total Hours 42 NOTE: Our program is currently not accepting new applications due to oversubscription. You may join the waiting list by visiting: http://edls.wvu.edu/ public_ed/doc-program COURSES EDLS 601. Dynamics-Educational Organiztn. 3 Hours. A foundation course which introduces students to school cultures, systems theory, hierarchy of school organizations, impact of global issues and forces, strategic planning, and the expanding role of technology as a learning and management tool. EDLS 602. Human Resources Dynamics. 3 Hours. An overview of personnel functions with a focus on recruitment, selection, orientation, evaluation, and development; interpersonal skills; motivational theories; and the utilization of technology in the personnel process. EDLS 603. Principles-Educatnal Leadershp. 3 Hours. An exploration of the role of leadership in modern education. Topics and simulations include group processes, verbal and non-verbal communication, leadership styles, team building, interpersonal relations, conflict management, and ethical practices. EDLS 610. School Business Administration. 3 Hours. Efficient and effective operational procedures at the school and district level relating to the fiscal, spatial, physical conditions, safety and security, and information management systems are explored, including the use of technology. EDLS 611. Principles of Supervision. 3 Hours. Students develop instructional leadership skills in working with teachers to understand and improve classroom instruction. Topics include: developing a learning culture, supervisory theories and models, and integration of technology and best instructional practices. EDLS 612. School:Policies/Politics/Laws. 3 Hours. An overview of statutes, common law and court decisions. Topics include the politics of education, due process, policy development, the role of federal, state, and local government in public education, and the issues of diversity and equity in a school setting. EDLS 613. Plan/Resrch/Eval-School Leadrs. 3 Hours. PR: Consent. Research, evaluation, and assessment procedures related to administrative decision making and problem solving to increase the general effectiveness of educational institutions. EDLS 614. Community and Media Relations. 3 Hours. This course will explore community attitudes, cultures, and communication strategies. It will provide students with resources to understand, evaluate and improve internal and external school-community relations. EDLS 620. Site Based Leadership. 3 Hours. PR: Consent. An overview course that focuses on the principal s active role of applying theory to practice with a special emphasis on emerging trends and issues, goal setting, testing, curricular alignment with goals, facilities management, and the change process. EDLS 625. Topics In Supervision. 3 Hours. Special knowledge and skills for supervisors K-12 including media, computers, reading, multicultural education, testing, and special education. EDLS 654. College Student Affairs. 3 Hours. PR: Consent. A study of the organization, administrative functioning components, issues, and models of college student services using a historical and topical approach. EDLS 691A-Z. Advanced Topics. 1-6 Hours. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses. EDLS 693A-Z. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours. A study of contemporary topics selected from recent developments in the field. EDLS 695. Independent Study. 1-6 Hours. Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings. EDLS 697. Research. 1-15 Hours. PR: Consent. Research activities leading to thesis, problem report, research paper or equivalent scholarly project, or a dissertation. (Grading may be S/ U.).
4 Public School Administration EDLS 702. Superintndncy:Role/Responsblty. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course is designed to examine the concepts of effective school district leadership. Students will examine the roles, relationship behaviors, and competencies which characterize an effective educational organization. EDLS 703. Economics/Education Funding. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course will focus on the macro and micro economics concepts and their application to financing education and its infra- structure. The content will incorporate forces of economic change, development of new societal and educational infrastructures, and implications for social spending. EDLS 704. Educ Facility:Planing/Evaluatn. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. The planning, evaluation, and management of current and future school facilities. EDLS 705. Public Educ:Ethics/Laws/Policy. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course will focus on ethics, educational responsibility, and the legal concepts relating to human resources management and student rights. The content is designed to develop an understanding of the judicial process and its effect on public school law and to understand the legal parameters within which the educational CEO operates. EDLS 706. Lrng Orgnztn:Cultur/Tech/Chang. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in education leadership or equivalent or consent. This course will focus on the concepts of results-based strategic planning, critical inquiry, and new assessment paradigms. The content will emphasize beginning where we are, authentic assessment of learning and horizontal assessment of processes, and broadening the base of responsibility for processes and results (outcomes). New knowledge about and use of information systems, integrating technology and high performance learning expectations, and the CEO s role in the process will be addressed. EDLS 707. Politics & Education. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in education administration or equivalent or consent. The purpose of this course is to raise the student s awareness and comprehension of the role political processes play in shaping the fundamental governance and organizational structures of American education. A special emphasis will be placed on the role of the state and national government. EDLS 708. Changing Organizations. 3 Hours. PR: M.A. in educational leadership or equivalent or consent. Interdisciplinary study of the major concepts of educational administration theory and its application to educational settings. Topics include organizational change, understanding of organizational dynamics and relationships, motivation, empowerment, and responding to human resource needs. EDLS 759. Assmt Research in Higher Ed. 3 Hours. Students review an array of instruments designed to assess college students perceptions, satisfaction, and learning. They will also critique these instruments to determine their quality. EDLS 761. Prospectus Devlpmnt Higher Ed. 3 Hours. Students review an array of instruments designed to assess college students perceptions, satisfaction, and learning. They will also critique these instruments to determine their quality. EDLS 785. Education Administrtn Intrnshp. 1-6 Hours. (May be repeated for credit.) PR: Consent. Practical experiences in the administration of an organizational unit under the supervision of an administrator within the unit. (Grading is P/F). EDLS 790. Teaching Practicum. 1-3 Hours. PR: Consent. Supervised practice in college teaching of education leader- ship studies. Note: This course is intended to insure that graduate assistants are adequately prepared and supervised when they are given college teaching responsibility. It will also present a mechanism for students not on assistantships to gain teaching experience. (Grading will be S/U.). EDLS 791A-Z. Advanced Topics. 1-6 Hours. PR: Consent. Investigation of advanced topics not covered in regularly scheduled courses. EDLS 792A-Z. Directed Study. 1-6 Hours. Directed study, reading, and/or research. EDLS 793A-Z. Special Topics. 1-6 Hours. A study of contemporary topics selected from recent developments in the field. EDLS 794A-Z. Seminar. 1-6 Hours. Special seminars arranged for advanced graduate students. EDLS 795. Independent Study. 1-9 Hours. Faculty supervised study of topics not available through regular course offerings. EDLS 796. Graduate Seminar. 1 Hour. PR: Consent. Each graduate student will present at least one seminar to the assembled faculty and graduate student body of his or her program. EDLS 797. Research. 1-15 Hours. PR: Consent. Research activities leading to thesis, problem report, research paper or equivalent scholarly project, or a dissertation. (Grading may be S/ U.).
West Virginia University 5 EDLS 798. Dissertation. 1-6 Hours. PR: Consent. This is an optional course for programs that wish to provide formal supervision during the writing of student reports (698), or dissertations (798). Grading is normal. EDLS 799. Graduate Colloquium. 1-6 Hours. PR: Consent. For graduate students not seeking coursework credit but who wish to meet residency requirements, use the University s facilities, and participate in its academic and cultural programs. Note: Graduate students who are not actively involved in coursework or research are entitled, through enrollment in their department s 699/799 Graduate Colloquium to consult with graduate faculty, participate in both formal and informal academic activities sponsored by their program, and retain all of the rights and privileges of duly enrolled students. Grading is S/U; colloquium credit may not be counted against credit requirements for masters programs. Registration for one credit of 699/799 graduate colloquium satisfies the University requirement of registration in which graduation occurs. EDLS 930. Professional Development. 1-6 Hours. Professional development courses provide skill renewal or enhancement in a professional field or content area (e.g., education, community health, geology.) These tuition-waived, continuing education courses are graded on a pass/fail grading scale and do not apply as graduate credit toward a degree program.