Educational Administration

The Educational Administration programs of study prepare leaders and managers for positions of responsibility in a variety of educational settings. Through coursework and related experiences, students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to undertake leadership roles. Our programs are carefully structured to help you build the capacity and experience you need to lead and manage schools skillfully or embark upon a career in higher education.

Click here to link to more information about our Educational Administration concentration doctoral program (EdD) in Policy and Leadership Studies.

The following information describes our 36 credit, 21 month Principal Preparation Program.

Program Highlights

• Competency Based. The School of Education is accredited by NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) and fulfills the Massachusetts Department of Education Administrative Standards relating to: leadership abilities, administrative abilities, equity among staff and students, community relationships, professional responsibilities.
• Personalized Program. Key competencies will be assessed and monitored using rubric and portfolio assessments throughout the program. In addition, you will be provided with on-going feedback, guidance, and job placement support.
• Cohesive Program Design. The program utilizes a cohort design that models a professional community of practice. Knowledge Application Laboratories, scheduled every semester, will provide you with opportunities to experiment with and further develop course-based skills. This 21-month program includes summers and Saturday courses.
• Practitioner Involvement. Many courses are team taught by UMass faculty and school practitioners.
• Integrated Field Experiences. You will participate in a year-long school-based practicum and in various community-based activities.

Required Courses

Year One (21 credits)

EDUC 618: Law for School Leaders (3 credits)
EDUC 726: Introduction to Educational Leadership & Administration (3 credits)
EDUC 697Q: Knowledge Application Lab I (1 credit)
EDUC 742: Problem Solving Methods for Educational Leaders (3 credits)
EDUC 646: Leadership for Curriculum and Instruction (3 credits)
EDUC 697Q: Knowledge Application Lab II (1 credit)
EDUC TBA: School Management (3 credits)
EDUC 697Q: Knowledge Application Lab III - Community Field Experience (1 credit)
EDUC 615F: Making Sense of School Data (3 credits)

Year Two (15 credits)

EDUC 758: School Personnel Administration (3 credits)
EDUC 697Q: Knowledge Application Lab IV (1 credit)
Fall EDUC 863: Administrative Field Experience (3 credits)
EDUC 697J: Orchestrating Educational Reform (3 credits)
EDUC 697Q: Knowledge Application Lab V (1 credit)
EDUC 863: Administrative Field Experience (3 credits)
EDUC 697Q: Program Synthesis (1 credit)

Contact Information

For more information about our Principal Preparation program contact:

Rebecca Gajda, Assistant Professor
(413) 545-1751

Associated Faculty

Coordinator: Matthew Militello (Assistant Professor)
Email:
Springfield Project Lead: Linda Driscoll (Lecturer)
Email: lindacdriscoll@verizon.net

Jeffrey W. Eiseman (Associate Professor), Rebecca Gadja (Assistant Professor), Sharon Rallis, (Dwight W.Allen Distinguished Professor), David M. Schimmel (Professor), Kathryn A. McDermott (Associate Professor).