Educational Leadership Courses

School Building Leader
School Building Leader/School District Leader

GEDA 560 - Achieving Standards of Excellence (3)

This course will focus on setting the stage for a successful career in school leadership by: (a) providing a historical and contemporary context on the philosophical, ethical, social and economic influences affecting education; (b) examining the core values and characteristics of effective leadership; (c) connecting leadership research with best practices, and (d) developing high standards and expectations, and a positive culture that supports success for all learners in diverse school settings. Issues in school and instructional improvement, and successful student engagement will be examined and addressed. In addition, the school's responsibilities and obligations in regard to federal and State standards and regulations will be examined. The course also will examine and apply various uses of technology to enhance teaching and learning, and improve school operations.

GEDA 561 - Leadership by Collaboration (3)

School success is most likely to occur when there is a commitment by all stakeholders to standards of excellence and the focus is on success for all students. Continuing the studies begun in GEDA 560, this course will focus on the application of motivational theory in building shared commitment and ownership to achieve the school's vision and enhance learning for all students. The use of various information technologies to support collaboration will also be explored.

GEDA 562 - Internship I (2)

Field-based administrative internships are crucial elements of the program’s curriculum. The internships run concurrently with the courses each semester. Through the internship experiences, candidates define and analyze problems of practice, acquire the skills and knowledge needed to deal effectively with such problems, and integrate their theoretical studies with practical applications including the use of various technologies. This internship experience is aligned with the topics covered in Module I. Internship assignments and times are arranged by the College in collaboration with the candidate and the candidate's home school district or a partnering district. Candidates are provided with experiences in diverse school settings in at least one internship.

GEDA 563 - Planning for School and District Assessment and Improvement (3)

Effective school based planning and assessment serves as the foundation in building a system of school improvement. This course will focus on how to maximize diversity in creating effective planning groups, successful school planning, assessment and improvement techniques that support positive school improvement, enhance teaching and learning for all students, and improving student and staff results. The course also will review organizational theory in the context of reflective practice to help students develop ways of reading and understanding the complexities of school systems.

GEDA 564 - Improving Instruction and Learning (3)

This course will focus on the major issues that impact the quality of teaching and learning. Topics will include: (1) strategies for aligning, curriculum, instruction and assessments with federal, state and local learning standards; (2) collaborative strategies for developing with others curriculum, instruction and assessment appropriate for varied teaching and learning styles, and specific student needs; (3) dynamics of change and school reform; and (4) using technology as a means of improving teaching, learning and assessment for all students.

GEDA 565 - Internship II (2)

Field-based administrative internships are crucial elements of the program's curriculum. The internships run concurrently with the courses each semester. Through the internship experiences, candidates define and analyze problems of practice, acquire the skills and knowledge needed to deal effectively with such problems, and integrate their theoretical studies with practical applications including the use of various technologies. This internship experience is aligned with the topics covered in Module II. Internship assignments and times are arranged by the College in collaboration with the candidate and the candidate’s home school district or a partnering district. Candidates are provided with experiences in diverse school settings in at least one internship.

GEDA 566 - Developing Effective Partnerships (3)

Partnerships are at the heart of effective schools. Parents, community based and philanthropic organizations, colleges, businesses, the media, human service providers and others need to be actively and positively engaged as partners in the school improvement process. "It takes the whole village to raise a child." Many of the problems faced by schools come from the lack of consensus on and understanding of the school's mission, goals, and guiding principles. These problems are compounded by misunderstandings about the school and its function and purpose. This course is designed to provide candidates with the skills needed to improve school effectiveness through meaningful school and parent partnerships, communication through local media, and effective relationships with local service agencies, businesses and community based organizations. Candidates will consider how to use technology to develop, implement and sustain partnerships.

GEDA 567 - Effective Communication (3)

This course supplements GEDA 566 by expanding the topical areas and focusing on effective marketing and public relation strategies, the impact of internal and external political systems, and successful steps to organizing school data and reporting such information to various community audiences and constituency groups. This course also will include demonstrations on the use of various technology software applications that can be applied in different communication venues.

GEDA 568 - Internship III (2)

Field-based administrative internships are crucial elements of the program's curriculum. The internships run concurrently with the courses each semester. Through the internship experiences, candidates define and analyze problems of practice, acquire the skills and knowledge needed to deal effectively with such problems, and integrate their theoretical studies with practical applications including the use of various technologies. This internship experience is aligned with the topics covered in Module III. Internship assignments and times are arranged by the College in collaboration with the candidate and the candidate's home school district or a partnering district. Candidates are provided with experiences in diverse school settings in at least one internship.

GEDA 569 - Accountability, Assessment, and Performance (3)

Successful operation of and change in an organization, including a school, depends to a large extent on effective leadership. An effective school leader understands the importance of identifying and selecting a quality school team, and delegating the appropriate level of authority, responsibility and accountability to the various members of the school team. An effective school leader also knows that a systems approach, that views schools as interactive instructional systems operating within external environments, is required to positively affect the processes, structures, and dynamics that make up a school. Candidates will examine employee induction and evaluation models, and the use of technology to track performance and monitor accountability over time.

GEDA 570 - Producing and Sustaining School Improvement (3)

This course focuses on the essential skills that school leaders need in order to create a culture of continuous school improvement. The research suggests that an effective school leader has the ability to create conditions that support an environment of recognition and appreciation. One of the most critical steps in cultivating such conditions is to embrace diversity as an asset, regularly reinforce and recognize the improvement efforts of individual staff and students and the school community, as a whole. The course will examine a variety of research studies that have been conducted. For example, reward and incentive programs and their impact on school improvement, successful programs and practices for self-review and renewal of schools, including celebrating diversity. The course will also explore the use of technology to support financial management operations and resource allocation decisions. A final capstone project is required as part of the course.

GEDA 571 - Internship IV (2)

Field-based administrative internships are crucial elements of the program’s curriculum. The internships run concurrently with the courses each semester. Through the internship experiences, candidates define and analyze problems of practice, acquire the skills and knowledge needed to deal effectively with such problems, and integrate their theoretical studies with practical applications including the use of various technologies. This internship experience is aligned with the topics covered in Module IV. Internship assignments and times are arranged by the College in collaboration with the candidate and the candidate’s home school district or a partnering district. Candidates are provided with experiences in diverse school settings in at least one internship.