Master of Science in Educational Administration: Collaborative Leadership Frequently Asked Questions
What is the student:teacher ratio?
Very advantageous for personalized learning. The internships average 12 students to an instructor and the content courses average 20-22 to an instructor.
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I live in Florida. What is the reciprocity of the PA certification to my state?
There are no formalized reciprocity agreements with PA for principal certification. If you live in another state, we recommend that prior to signing on for Principal Certification K-12 in PA (which is what the Drexel program provides), you consult with your Department of Education and learn what the certification requirements are in your state. After you have received your PA certification, you can then meet any necessary additional requirements that your state requires for dual certification.
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The other programs that I have looked into are accredited. Is this program accredited and by whom?
The Principal Certification Program is accredited by the PA Department of Education. Additionally, in the last review, the department gave this program two commendations: one for the 600 hr internship (the highest required internship hours in the state of the 39 certifying universities) and another commendation for the leadership portfolio – which is only required by five other institutions in some form.
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Most of the schools that I looked at were accredited by NCATE, why is your program not NCATE accredited?
NCATE standards are national standards for new teachers. The School of Education is developing a performance portfolio based on the NCATE standards. The next step after that would be to apply for accreditation for teacher certification programs.
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What happens if I cannot get my “action research” published?
The MS in ED ADMIN will create a website for publication of the students’ research in various forms: summaries, articles. This is designed after England’s National College of School Leadership.
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Who sets up my internships?
Each student must obtain a mentoring principal who is state certified. Usually this administrator leads the school where the student teaches or is a counselor. Additionally, the student will need experiences in schools at all levels of the K-12 system. These can usually be arranged within the district or area of the student’s home school.
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What if I can’t do my internship in my school?
Any situation like this is solved on a case-by-case basis with the person overseeing the Principal Internship program.
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What will I be doing during the internships?
You will be learning about leadership through coursework and onsite principal intern activities. You will keep a weekly log of reflections on these activities (15 hrs a week) framed by the national ISLLC, ELCC standards and Drexel competencies. You will maintain a leadership portfolio over the year of internship and turn in the final portfolio. You will take the PA PRAXIS exam toward the end of the internship. There will be practice sessions on this exam each term in the internship course.
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How can I fit the internships into my busy teaching schedule?
Most students find that they are already doing leadership activities in their school and community. Student learning and improving teaching practices are an important aspect of being both a teacher and a leader. So, the internship requirement of 15 hrs of internship activities a week includes: (1) Up to 5 hrs. reflecting on the course assignments (learning) that you already do each week, (2) Up to 5 hrs reflecting on curriculum, instruction or student learning that you identify in your teaching practices, (3) up to 5 hrs per week of internship activities that you and your mentoring principal select to complete. These include such things as: observing in principal meetings, attending school board meetings, directing school-wide activities, facilitating workshops for teachers, working with parents and community, and working on new curriculum/program initiatives etc.
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How do I get K-12 experience if I teach in a secondary school?
You need to arrange for experience (shadowing) at an elementary level in at least one of the internships.
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I started a program at a local university can I transfer any of my credits to this program?
Each student’s transcript of courses in transfer is reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine whether course skills and concepts can be transferred.
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In your presentation you mention that I will perform to state and national standards, how will I be doing that?
Each day of your internship you will be reflecting on daily events using seven national standards of leadership as well as Drexel competencies (skills of leadership).
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Would I take the Praxis when I am done with the MS degree?
No, I would recommend that you take it when the principal certification work is completed.
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Do you offer assistantship with job placement?
We make all known job opportunities available to students.
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What percentage of your out-of-state principal certificate recipients obtained positions after completing your program?
Almost 100% complete this challenging program and become certified. Approximately three-quarters of our students enter the program with local school leadership support and mentoring and are encouraged to apply within for new positions that open up. We can provide statistics on job placement when our program evaluation has been completed in summer of ’07.
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I would like to become an administrator within my school district, but I do not wish to become a principal. Is this program for me?
This is a program of leadership development that will be effective in any role or position.
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I see that the program is cohort based, what happens to me if I have to take a term or two off?
Since each course has student active participation in all discussion boards, any student will be a part of a student group that can offer support and resources.
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Will my transcripts indicate that I have an online degree?
No, the transcript does not indicate “online.”
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