Why Choose School District Leadership?
Leadership in education is a changing role. The school district leadership program responds to shifting global, social, economic and educational trends to enhance the skills of leaders in the education field. Its participants and graduates are exceptional school leaders who are collaborative, principle-centered, lifelong learners.
The M.S. Ed. is designed to help education professionals meet the New York State (NYS) certification eligibility requirements for school district leadership. All courses in the program follow research based leadership principles, concepts and understandings. You will contribute your experience and learn from others’.
Practical Leadership Skills
Each class includes a broad spectrum of learners. Diversity in knowledge and skill level allows all participants to develop real-world leadership skills. As an school district leadership participant, you may begin courses at any point in the sequence. This is essential so those who have had advanced classes or relevant experience may practice skills that are necessary for education leaders, such as:
- Integrating new staff into the culture and belief system of the school
- Learning from colleagues whose knowledge and experience offers valuable “slices of reality”
- Welcoming participants regardless of prior knowledge, experience or position of authority/leadership. This encourages diversity and a variety of perceptions and experiences
- Recognizing that everyone is a resource. Participants come to class with their own experience, knowledge, skills, dispositions, a world view and a frame of reference
The Experience
The school district leadership program is infused with experiential and collaborative learning, action research and technology. Learning happens in many ways: formally and informally, experientially and reflectively. As an advanced leadership participant, you will learn from and network with colleagues and participate in workshops and conferences as well.
Courses are 7 weeks long with face-to-face meetings and online sessions. The curriculum makes use of leadership activities including case studies, simulations and role-play; and most courses require field experience. Core topics include:
- Education finance
- Data sources for determining school, personnel and program effectiveness
- Instructional design, technology and information processing
The program culminates with a major project and a 6-credit internship, amounting to 250 hours of leadership experience at the district level.