Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study & Master of Education in
Educational Leadership and Management
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study & Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Management Fitchburg State University/National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM Since 2005 the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) executive development program has been implemented through cohort groups of Massachusetts public school educators and leaders as an administrative leadership program with a special focus on the principal. In fact, dozens of administrators across the state have been NISL trained in this program that is both supported and guided by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Fitchburg State University has a long and distinguished history in offering nationally recognized and accredited graduate programs in school leadership. Fitchburg State University offers a comprehensive program designed specifically for the NISL candidates who wish to pursue a graduate degree. The program has been developed in recognition of the rigorous coursework contained in the NISL program and its alignment with Fitchburg State University’s Educational Leadership and Management (EDLM) program objectives. Candidates can apply for the MEd or CAGS degree and receive 16 EDLM graduate program credits for a reduced tuition.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS n Easy Access to graduate level courses
• NISL courses apply to Fitchburg State University MEd or CAGS programs in Educational Leadership
• The four NISL courses offered through Fitchburg State University are clustered and aligned to specific NISL units.
• The NISL/Fitchburg State University courses provide opportunities to apply learning through relevant school-based activities leading to graduate credit.
• The Online courses offered through Fitchburg State University allow for flexibility in scheduling
n Nationally recognized by the National Council on Teacher Accreditation n Fitchburg State University has redesigned its EDLM programs to meet the Professional Standards for Administrative
Leadership established by the Massachusetts DESE. Successful completion of this innovative degree granting graduate program leads to Massachusetts DESE licensure in Principalship or Supervisor/Director. n Completion of this innovative degree granting graduate program leads to endorsement for Massachusetts Department
of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) licensure in Principalship or Supervisor/Director. n Candidates who are accepted and enrolled in the M.Ed. or CAGS degree program may take the four NISL courses
at a reduced cost as a portfolio option. n Reasonable Cost: Total tuition and fees for MEd or CAGS Principal licensure is $10,048. n Benefits of earning a CAGS or Master’s Degree
• A graduate degree raises the salary of most educators by $3000 to $4000 per year. Usually, after 2 - 2 1/2 years educators will have paid for the degree through raises in salary.
• Professional opportunities result from the advanced degree.
• The administrative licensure received by the educator is reciprocal with many other states.
Plans of Study: Educational Leadership & Management Program CAGS & MEd Licensure Options NISL COURSES Course 1: Course 2: Course 3: Course 4:
NISL 7000 NISL 7500 NISL 8000 NISL 8500
World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals (Portfolio Option) Focus on Teaching and Learning (Portfolio Option) Developing Capacity and Commitment (Portfolio Option) Driving for Results (Portfolio Option)
4 credits 4 credits 4 credits 4 credits
Subtotal: 16 credits
EDLM COURSES* (ADDITIONAL FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY COURSES REQUIRED FOR DEGREE)
EDLM 8012 EDLM 8027 EDLM 8035 EDLM 8028 EDLM 9035 EDLM 9045 ETEC 9200 EDLM 9101
Law, Ethics, and Policies for the Educator Meaningful Family and Community Engagement and Partnerships Sheltered English Immersion: Closing the Achievement Gap through Leadership Public School Finance, Human Resources, and Personnel Administration Collegial Supervision in an Era of Accountability Dynamics of Planned Change Project in Educational Technology Practicum/Internship Supervisor/Director PreK-12 (100 hours)
Subtotal Supervisor 24 credits Total for Degree: 40 credits
OR
3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits
EDLM 9300 EDLM 9310 EDLM 9320
Practicum/Internship Principal Pre-K–6 OR Practicum/Internship Principal 5–8 OR Practicum/Internship Principal 9–12 (300 hours)
6 credits
Subtotal Principal: 27 credits
Total for Degree: 43 Credits
CAGS & MEd Non-licensure Options NISL COURSES Courses 1 - 4 (see above)
Subtotal: 16 credits
EDLM COURSES* (ADDITIONAL FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY COURSES REQUIRED FOR DEGREE) EDLM 8012 EDLM 8027 EDLM 8028 EDLM 9035 EDLM 9150 ETEC 9200
Law, Ethics, and Policies for the Educator Meaningful Family and Community Engagement and Partnerships Public School Finance, Human Resources, and Personnel Administration Collegial Supervision in an Era of Accountability Advanced Semilar in Reflective Practice and Action Research Project in Educational Technology Electives
3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 3 credits 6 credits Subtotal: 24 credits
Total for the degree: 40 credits
Non-Degree Option (not eligible for portfolio option) NISL COURSES ONLY Course 1: Course 2: Course 3: Course 4:
NISL 7000 NISL 7500 NISL 8000 NISL 8500
World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals ONLINE.................................................................. 4 credits Focus on Teaching and Learning ONLINE.............................................................................. 4 credits Developing Capacity and Commitment ONLINE.................................................................... 4 credits Driving for Results ONLINE..................................................................................................... 4 credits Total: 16 credits
Program Costs: Fitchburg State University/NISL Partnership Program STAGE ONE
Degree NonCandidates Degree
Course 1:
World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals (NISL 7000), 4 credits............................ $460.....................$750
Course 2:
Focus on Teaching and Learning (NISL 7500), 4 credits.......................................... $460.....................$750
Course 3:
Developing Capacity and Commitment (NISL 8000), 4 credits............................... $460.....................$750
Course 4:
Driving for Results (NISL 8500), 4 credits.................................................................. $460.....................$750
Cost for 16 credits earned through NISL Partnership..........................................................................$1,840................. $3,000 Cost for 21 credits earned for additional courses through Fitchburg State University.................... $6,384
STAGE TWO Cost for Supervisor / Director or 3 credit non-licensure elective........................................................... $912 Total cost for Supervisor / Director or Non-Licensure Degree (40 credits)........................................ $9,136 Cost for Principal Licensure (6 credits)................................................................................................ $1,824 Total cost for Principal Licensure Degree (43 credits)......................................................................$10,048
PRE-REQUISITES Fitchburg State University Course
Prerequisite*
NISL Course/Unit
Course 1 NISL 7000
Enrolled in NISL cohort Course 1
World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals
Course 2 NISL 7500
Completion of Unit 4
Principal as School Designer
Course 3 NISL 8000
Completion of Unit 8
Promoting Professional Knowledge
Course 4 NISL 8500
Completion of Unit 11
Principal as Ethical Leader
*Registration of NISL courses should be timed near the completion of the course units. Tuition and fees subject to change.
Admission Application Requirements Applicants for the CAGS or MEd in Educational Leadership & Management Programs must submit: n Graduate application for admission. n Non-refundable application fee of $25. Do not send cash. Please print first and last name on the check/money order. n Official transcript from your baccalaureate degree granting college/university. The transcript must indicate degree received and date of graduation. The transcript must be sent directly from the institution to the Admissions Office. Applicants to the CAGS program are not required to submit a transcript from the baccalaureate degree granting college/university but must submit a transcript from the master’s degree granting institution. n Official transcripts from all graduate programs from which you are requesting transfer credit and, if applicable, all institutions from which you have received graduate degrees. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the Admissions Office. n Three letters of recommendation from individuals under whom the applicant has studied or under whose supervision they have worked in a professional capacity. Please use the Letter of Recommendation forms provided in the Graduate Application booklet. Submit the narrative portion of the recommendation on institutional letterhead. All letters of recommendation must be mailed by the author directly to the Admissions Office. n A professional resume. n An essay, no more than one page in length, in response to one of the following topic:
b Tell us about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.
b What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?
b Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping mode. • Describe the situation as it occurred at the time. • What did you do in that particular situation? • How did you feel about the situation at the time you were experiencing it? • How do you feel about the situation now? • What would you change, if anything?
n If applying to licensure programs, evidence of successful passage of Communication and Literacy MTEL
The application, fee and other requested materials should be sent to:
Office of Admissions, Fitchburg State University, 160 Pearl Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697
Admissions Office Hours and Contact Information
Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions and would like to speak to a representative, please contact (978) 665-3144 or e-mail, gceadmissions@fitchburgstate.edu.
Financial Aid Information
Students enrolled in a minimum of five graduate credits per semester and who have been formally admitted to the University by the Office of Admissions are eligible to apply for federal student loans. Federal student loans provide a low interest financing option for those who qualify. Interested students should complete the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid webpage at www.fitchburgstate.edu/finaid or contact the office directly at (978) 665-3156 or finaid@fitchburgstate.edu .
Course Enrollment NISL participants interested in earning credit through Fitchburg State University will be provided information regarding registering for courses. Please complete the NISL/Fitchburg State University Potential Student Information Sheet to indicate your interest in enrolling for graduate credit and you will be contacted by a NISL advisor regarding registration. Courses will be offered three times each year giving students maximum flexibility. Students will not be required to register for all courses during the same enrollment period. For your convenience all Fitchburg State University supplemental NISL courses are offered online or, for degree candidates, may be completed by submission of a course portfolio. Once you have officially registered for your first course, you will be eligible to access your online course or submit the portfolio. All students are required to obtain a Fitchburg State University e-mail account and password for access to their course. To obtain your email account and password, contact the Information Technology Service Center Desk at 978-665-4500. Staff is available 24/7 to assist you. Once you are registered and have obtained your course access password, you can find your course by going to http://blackboard.fitchburgstate.edu or mail your NISL portfolio to NISL Coordinator, 150B Main Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.
Students are encouraged to visit our demonstration course at www.fitchburgstate.edu/demo/. This course will help you become familiar with using Blackboard, the online learning management system that hosts all of the universities online courses. Complete details regarding getting ready to take an online course including hardware and software requirements can be found at www.fitchburgstate.edu/distance. We strongly encourage you to review this web page before beginning your courses. For additional information regarding registration for courses, please contact the Registrar’s Office at 978-665-4196.
Licensure Requirements IMPORTANT: If you are applying to the licensure track of the CAGS or MEd in Educational Leadership Degree Programs that leads to a Massachusetts License in School Principal/Assistant School Principal or Supervisor/Director you are required to submit the following documents by the completion of your program:
n School Principal: Prerequisite Experience. Completion of at least three full years of employment in an executive management/leadership role or in a supervisory, teaching, or administrative role in a public school, private school, higher education, or other educational setting accepted by the Department. n Supervisor/Director: Prerequisite Experience. Completion of three full years of employment in a leadership, supervisory, teaching, or administrative role in a public school, private school, higher education, or other educational setting accepted by the Department.
Prerequisite Licenses. Possession of at least a Preliminary license for the following areas: Pupil personnel directors: School psychologist, School guidance counselor, or School social worker/school adjustment counselor. School guidance directors: School guidance counselor or School social worker/school adjustment counselor. Directors, department heads, and curriculum specialists: Teacher, Specialist Teacher or School Nurse.
Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I transfer graduate credit I received beyond my MEd degree towards the CAGS? Yes, you may transfer up to 12 credits into a graduate program at Fitchburg State University. Six of these credits can be from another accredited institution or you may transfer as many as 12 credits taken at Fitchburg State University. It is important to note that a graduate program must be completed within a six year period, so courses that will extend your degree period beyond the six year limit cannot apply. Transfer courses must be approved by the program chair. An official transcript and course syllabus is required to ascertain that the course meets the program standards. 2. I am currently enrolled in a traditional EDLM CAGS program at the university. Can I transfer my NISL credit towards this CAGS program? Yes, you may transfer to the NISL CAGS only with the approval of the Chair of the Educational Leadership program. Those EDLM degree candidates who wish to transfer to the NISL EDLM degree program should fill out the Student Petition Form, which can be found on the university website (www.fitchburgstate.edu/uploads/files/Registrar/student_ petition.pdf) stating “I wish to change my status in the Educational Leadership program to the NISL Educational Leadership program” and return it to the Chair at Fitchburg State University. Similarly, if currently enrolled in a Master’s Educational Leadership and Management (EDLM) program at Fitchburg State University, you may apply NISL credits towards the that degree with approval of the program Chair. 3. I am not a school principal and do not have easy access to faculty, classrooms, and students. Will this prevent me from completing any of the NISL requirements? The Fitchburg State University faculty recommends that when online NISL course requirements focus on school-based activities, non-building leaders partner with a school principal, whenever possible. The Fitchburg State adjunct faculty for the NISL MEd and CAGS are familiar with these circumstances and will allow alternative activities suitable to the leadership role to be arranged on an individual basis. However, all activities must stay within the NISL content which is designed as a program for the executive development of school principals. 4. If candidates need a Masters in their content area, would enrollment in the ELDM masters have any benefit? Candidates who are required to obtain a Master’s degree or who are pursuing an alternate route for professional status in their content area may refer to the university website www.fitchburgstate.edu/edunit or consult with the Director of Licensure at Fitchburg State University at 978-665-3239.
5. I am almost finished in my NISL cohort. Which course should I register for first? NISL courses are based on applied leadership activities. Therefore, in deciding which course to register for, the individual should consider the work most essential to or currently underway in one’s district, school, or program. Otherwise, candidates nearing the end of their cohort work may enroll in any of the NISL courses. Candidates at the beginning of their cohort work must complete the prerequisites listed in this brochure. 6. How do I enroll in a NISL EDLM degree program? Candidates who wish to enroll in a degree program can access the application forms online at www.fitchburgstate.edu/admissions/graduate/apply. 7. I do not wish to enroll in a degree program at this time, but I am interested in taking online courses for graduate credit in Educational Leadership courses. How do I enroll in the online courses? Educators wishing to enroll in a course may access the course registration form at www.fitchburgstate.edu/uploads/ files/Registrar/RegistrationGCEFSU.pdf. Prior to the start of the course, the university will notify you regarding instructions to access your online courses.
Contact For more information regarding the CAGS or the MEd in Educational Leadership and Management Fitchburg State University/NISL Partnership Program, contact the Graduate and Continuing Education Advisor at (978) 665-3660 or e-mail gceadvisor@fitchburgstate.edu.
Rev. 9/2014