EDUCATION SPECIALISTAND

MASTER OF ARTSIN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

AND ADMINISTRATION

ONLINE

Offered by the Graduate School ofEducation and Human Development

1Faculty Advisor’s Message

2- 3Program Overview

4Curriculum and Courses

5-6Course Descriptions

7Faculty

8Online Delivery System

9Support Network

10Admission Requirements

11Frequently Asked Questions

12The George Washington University

Table of Contents

1

Faculty Advisor’s Message

Thank you for your interest in The George Washington University’s graduate programs in EducationalLeadership and Administration. Aswe enter into the next decade of highstakes accountability, opportunitiesfor educators seeking leadership

positions will be in high demand. To keep abreast of thisexpanding field, educators from across the internationalcommunity are enhancing their credentials in preparationfor their future leadership roles.

Since 1904, The George Washington University’s GraduateSchool of Education and Human Development (GSEHD)as been recognized as a premiere research institutionproviding our students with the knowledge, skills, andresources necessary to promote quality student achievement.Our online Masters of Arts and Education Specialistdegrees in Educational Leadership and Administration isdesigned to develop intellectual leaders who understandcurriculum and instruction, motivate and support classroomprofessionals, and provide practical ideas necessary tolead vibrant educational communities.

For more than 100 years, GSEHD has continually confrontedand adapted to the numerous social, economic, and political climates. Our expert program faculty-scholars,authors, and experienced educational leaders-bring to lifethe obstacles faced by educational administrators intoday’s society.

As a graduate of this program, I can attest to the highcaliber of instruction each student will receive. The GeorgeWashington University provides the next step to realizingyour personal and professional goals through interactiveclassrooms, convenience, and the opportunity to buildand sustain lasting relationships.

Welcome to the GW family!

Sincerely,

Joseph Todd Emerson, EdDFaculty Advisor, Distance Learning Program in EducationalLeadership and AdministrationThe George Washington UniversityGraduate School of Education and Human Developmentjemerson@gwu.edu

2

Program Overview

The George Washington University’s (GW) twoonline graduate degrees in Educational Leadershipand Administration prepare practitioners in teachingand teaching-related careers for leadership roles asprincipals, mid-level administrators, and instructionalsupervisors in the nation’s K-12 education systems.

The Education Specialist and Master of Arts inEducational Leadership and Administration programs are structured as follows:

• Six start dates per year, two per semester: spring, fall, and summer.

• Eight courses of three credits each and one course of six credits.

• The program can be completed in less than two years.

• Rich, online environment which includes discussions, reading, writing, and workplace-orientedassignments.

• Cohort-based system in which students travel through the degree program in small groups.

The program is approved by the State EducationAgency-Board of Education of the District ofColumbia and is part of the Graduate School ofEducation and Human Development (GSEHD) unitaccredited by the National Council for Accreditationof Teacher Education (NCATE). The GeorgeWashington University is accredited by its regionalaccrediting agency, the Middle States Associationof Colleges and Schools.

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Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration (MA)

The Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration isdesigned for the working professional in the K-12 arena who isinterested in various school-based and central office leadershippositions, supervisory positions, and increased responsibility inteaching. The program is designed to prepare graduates for advancedlevels of professional responsibility in diverse school communities andto increase their technical, conceptual, political, and leadership skills.Emphasis is on leadership and management, change, communication,organizational learning, administrative and legal issues, human relations,human resource development, general supervisory principles andresponsibilities, and supervision of instruction.

Education Specialist (EdS)

The Education Specialist in Educational Leadership andAdministration is a post-master’s degree that provides educationalpersonnel at the elementary and secondary levels with addedexpertise in the field of administration. This program can also provideeducators with an opportunity to meet multi-state course-workrequirements for academic licensing of principal, assistant principal,and/or instructional supervisory personnel. Candidates will bequalified to take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA)test for licensure upon completion of the EdS program. Studentsmust successfully complete an internship, which requires studentsto conduct action research and produce a manuscript of publishablequality. A six-hour written comprehensive examination is requiredfor successful completion of the program. Finally, EdS studentsmust take three courses in the area of special education, one ofwhich is mandatory while the remaining two are elective.

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Master of Arts in Educational Leadership andAdministration (MA)

The MA program consists of ten courses for a total of33 credits. There are nine courses at three credits eachand an internship of six credits.

Education Specialist (EdS)

The EdS program consists of nine courses for a total of30 credits. There are eight courses at three credits eachand an internship of six credits.

Course Catalogue

The following courses are required for both the master’s and specialist programs:TRED 205 – Foundations of Curriculum (3 credits)

EDUC 242 – Fundamentals for Educational Leadershipand the Change Process: K-12 (3 credits)

EDUC 248 – Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction(3 credits)

EDUC 259 – Site-based Leadership (3 credits)

EDUC 278 – School Law and Policy (3 credits)

EDUC 387A&B – Internship Project and FieldExperience (3 credits)

Master of Arts in Educational Leadership andAdministration

EDUC 246 – Administrative Issues in Education (3credits)

EDUC 276 – School-Community Relations (3 credits)

EDUC 295 – Quantitative Methods II: Research Designand Data Analysis (3 credits)

EDUC 355 – Seminar: Applied EducationalAdministration (3 credits)

Education Specialist

SPED 2201 – Introduction to Special Education (3 credits)SPED 238 – Issues in Educating Individuals withLearning Disabilities (3 credits)SPED 303 – Administration and Supervision of SpecialEducation (3 credits)

Note: Students may be required to take EDUC 276, School –Community Relations, if they did not take this course in aMaster’s Program sequence.

Course Curriculum

5

Course DescriptionsEDUC 237 — Instructional Needs AnalysisThe course will examine the educational ideas of individualsand groups that have influenced American curriculumtheory and practice from the Progressive era through thetwentieth century. Also, there will be comparisons of theissues, models, and principles that have guided curricularthought, development, and innovation. 3 credit hours.

EDUC 242 — Fundamentals of Educational Leadershipand the Change ProcessDuring this course, learners will explore current leadershiptheory and systems behavior in the context of administrativepractice in educational settings. Also discussed will be keyelements of leadership and management; the impact ofcontext, culture, power, politics, change, communications,and organizational learning on administration. 3 credit hours.

EDUC 248 — Supervision and Evaluation of InstructionThis course addresses the roles and functions of educationalleaders in the areas of curriculum, staff development,instructional supervision, and teacher evaluation. Learnersare introduced to topics such as individual and groupinteractive competencies for effective communication;theory and practice to increase teacher effectiveness andimprove student learning through supervisory strategies.3 credit hours.

EDUC 259 — Site-Based Leadership: K-12This course gives a general introduction to the principalship.It stresses leadership theory, roles, and management tasksin instruction, curriculum, budget, staff development,supervision, inter-agency services, student learning, andpolicy considerations. Also the course looks at site-basedmanagement and communication within a changing anddiverse school environment. 3 credit hours.

EDUC 278 — School Law and PolicyThis course explores the legal basis of education andpublic schools in the United States. Also examined areconstitutional provisions and federal statutes that guideschool law. The course will consider practical school situations for legal implications, development of skills to research legal issues in schools, and preventive lawmeasures. 3 credit hours.

SPED 238 — Issues in Educating Individuals withLearning DisabilitiesIntroduction to the academic, cognitive, social, and emotionalcharacteristics of individuals with learning disabilities;etiological theories, educational service delivery models,with particular emphasis on the adolescent with learningdisabilities. Policy issues, continuum of services, and thetransition from school to post-school environments. 3 credit hours.

SPED 303 — Administration and Supervision of SpecialEducationPhilosophy and nature of special education; programorganization, administration, and development. Surveyinglocal needs; program evaluation and supervision.Admission by permission of instructor. 3 credit hours.

EDUC 387 — Internship in Supervision andInstructional LeadershipThis course requires learners to service in an educationalinstitution or education-related program directed by theUniversity’s faculty. 6 credit hours.

EDUC 246 — Administrative Issues in EducationDuring this course, learners will explore the impact ofmajor social, political, economic, and educational issueson the role of school leaders. Discussed also will be thedelivery and quality of programs and services. 3 credit hours.

EDUC 276 — School-Community RelationsA study of the purpose, scope, essential elements, andimpact of a successful school-community relations programwill be examined. Also studied will be community powerstructures, the roles of policy and leadership, communicationtechniques for interacting with various audiences and themedia, evaluation of public relations, and marketing foreducational institutions. 3 credit hours.

EDUC 295 — Quantitative Methods II: Research Designand Data AnalysisThis is a second-level course in social science researchmethods. Emphasis will be placed on research design,descriptive and inferential data analysis. Required only ofall master’s students (not specialist students). 3 credit hours.

EDUC 355 — Seminar: Applied EducationalAdministrationThis course looks at the application of the theories andprinciples of administration to public and private schools.Also, there will be field experience in a phase of administrationand supervision (i.e., facilities, finance, personnel). 3 credit hours.

SPED 2201 — Introduction to Special Education This is a staff survey course which acquaints prospectiveteachers with special education and helps them becomeaware of the various educational modifications necessaryto accommodate children with special needs in a schoolprogram. 3 credit hours

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Course Descriptions

7

Faculty Profiles

Dr. Everett (Ben) HowertonProfessor of Educational AdministrationDr. Howerton is a former faculty member at the Universityof Virginia, where he earned an EdD, and has served aspresident of The Synergy, Inc; as CEO of Information andEducation Utility; as acting state superintendent of schools,coordinating state superintendent for special schools, chiefdeputy state superintendent, and as a school principal inthe Commonwealth of Virginia. He is a recipient of theCouncil of Chief State School Officers DistinguishedEducator Award. His research interests include organizationaldevelopment, school governance, and educational law.

Dr. Carolyn BrownAssistant Professor of Educational AdministrationDr. Brown’s background includes teaching and administrationin public and private schools and non-profits. She haspreviously taught at California State University, DominguezHills. Her research interests include federal school financepolicy, international/comparative education finance andschool privatization issues.

Dr. Mary K. EnglishAssistant Professor of Educational Administration Dr. English received her EdD from the University ofPittsburgh, and her MEd from California University ofPennsylvania. Her research interests include Leadershipand School Reform in K-12 schools.

Dr. Linda K. LemastersAssociate Professor of Educational AdministrationDr. Lemasters is a former assistant superintendent ofadministrative services, director of human resources andinstructional supervisor for Gloucestor County Schoolsin Virginia; board member and past-president of theVirginia Education Facility Planner; and co-author ofSchool Maintenance and Renovation: AdministratorPolicies, Practices and Economics. Her research interestsinclude relationship of facility on student achievementand behavior, educational planning, and policy trends,and reform issues.

Dr. Virginia RoachAssociate Professor of Educational AdministrationChair, Department of Educational LeadershipA graduate of Columbia University Teacher’s College, Dr. Roachis a former director of the Teachers for a New Era Projectat Bank Street College of New York, and served as deputyexecutive director of the National Association of StateBoards of Education. Her publications include: “State Policyand its Impact on Urban Reading Programs,” in LiteracyDevelopment of Students in Urban Schools; and “Applicationsof a Policy Framework to Evaluate and Promote Large ScaleChange,” in Exceptional Children. Her research interestsare in the areas of administrator preparation, educationpolicy, and teacher development from an administrator’sperspective. She became chair of GW’s Department ofEducational Leadership in 2006.

Dr. Henry I. WillettEmeritus Professor of Educational AdministrationDr. Willett is a former President of Longwood College,Assistant Superintendent of Chesapeake Public Schools,and elementary and secondary Principal of Norfolk CountyPublic Schools. He received the Distinguished AlumnusAward for the Curry School of Education, University ofVirginia. His research interests include educational law,strategic planning and societal trends and issues. He receivedhis doctoral degree in education from the University of Virginia.

8

The Education Specialist and Master of Arts inEducational Leadership and Administration programshave been designed and developed by experienced facultywith a deep knowledge of teaching and learning andthe school improvement process. The e-Learning programcombines the best of traditional learning and makes itbetter by utilizing the advantages of the Internet. TheGeorge Washington University’s e-Learning programwill allow you to realize career-advancing opportunitieswhile you continue working as an educational professional.This program is designed for educators like you, tohelp you improve and expand your knowledge andcompetencies.

Flexibility — log in anytime, from any Internet connection.Post responses on the discussion board, receive feedback,and submit assignments, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,365 days a year.

Connection — gain individualized attention from facultyand develop close relationships with fellow learners as youinteract with them, creating a vast network of professionalcontacts.

Interaction — post and respond to messages with fellowbusiness leaders. Online learning puts you much closerto the thinking and experience of your instructors andclassmates.

Timely curriculum — course content is continuallyupdated. Assignments incorporate the specific issuesyou deal with at school, allowing you to apply lessonsfrom each course.

Online Delivery System

9

Support Network

GW has built these degrees around your lifestyle and learningneeds. We are here to support you every step of the way sothat your experience is as seamless as possible.

We offer you a multi-level support network including:

Admissions Advisor — counsels you through the applicationprocess

Student Service Manager — liaises with the University onyour behalf

Small Group Instructor — guides you through the coursecontent and requirements

Faculty — develops the curriculum and constantly assessesits relevance and timeliness

Technical Support — assists you with any technical problemsyou may have — live 24/7

“I chose this program because I was familiar with the reputation of GW and the education

department and knew I would come out highly prepared. Also, the convenience of the online

program was a major factor in my decision. It allowed me to interact with people all over the

world and grow professionally while maintaining my personal life and all the responsibilities

that go along with that. I would do this again and recommend it to friends and colleagues.”

Mollie McBroom, 2006 Graduate

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Admissions

Professional Experience• Statement of applicant’s program objectives and professional goals• A resume of professional experience• Two recommendations (preferably one from a faculty member and

the other from a professional supervisor)

Academic Preparation • An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution or the

equivalent for admission to the master’s degree program• A master’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent

for admission to the Education Specialist program• Official transcripts for each institution attended, whether or not a

degree was conferred• Performance on the GRE or MAT• Performance on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

examination (minimum score for paper-based is 550 and computer-based is 213 to qualify) or IELTS with an overall band score of 6.0 — for foreign participants only

Transfer Credit PolicyGW permits nine hours of graduate work, provided it meets ALL ofthe following criteria:

1. It was taken at an accredited college or university2. It has been approved as part of the student’s program of study3. It was completed within the last five years4. It was passed with a grade of "B" or better5. It has not been used to fulfill the requirements of another degree program

Tuition and FeesYour education costs will differ depending on:

• Your eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, or other types of aid, such as employer reimbursement

• The materials/software required.

Program costs are calculated by credit hour. For the most up-to-dateTuition and Fees Supplement, please contact an Admissions Advisor.

Contact an Admissions Advisor today:Call 1.866.232.0232 ext. 3386 (US and Canada) or +1.647.722.6641ext. 3386 (International), E-mail: info@eddegree.com.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are these distance learning degrees any different fromthose earned on-campus at The George WashingtonUniversity?

No. You will receive the same degree and your diplomawill be the same as earned by an on-campus student.

How is the program accredited?

The George Washington University is accredited by theMiddle States Commission on Higher Education, the regionalaccrediting body recognized by the US Department ofEducation and The Council on Post-Secondary Education.State agencies and reputable academic institutions onlyrecognize degrees from regionally accredited institutionswhen considering someone for employment or furtheracademic study (including transfer or course credit). Theseprograms also meet the tuition reimbursement standardsof most agencies. The Graduate School of Education andHuman Development has been continuously accreditedby the National Council for Accreditation of TeacherEducation (NCATE) since 1954.

How long is the program?

The program is completed in 22 months. There are fivesemesters which each last 16 to 18 weeks.

How many credits and courses do I take each semester?

You will enroll in two, three-credit hour courses eachsemester for a total of six credits each semester. Howeverthe Internship is worth six credits. The courses do notoverlap. You will take just one course at a time.

How much does the program cost?

Please contact an Admissions Advisor at 1.866.232.0232,ext. 3386 for the most current information. This is a greatinvestment when you consider that the program willallow you to realize career-advancing opportunities whileyou continue working. It is immediately accessible fromyour home or office, and you can have the benefits of anadvanced degree from a prestigious school like GW inonly 22 months.

When do I start the program?

You may enter the program six times per year at twopoints during each semester — fall, spring or summer.

How much time is required in this program?

This program is designed for the working professionalwho must keep up with the demands of work and home.Most students require 15-20 hours of study per week. Itallows you to study on your own time. Your small groupfacilitator acts as your personal mentor and coach andwill help keep you on track. Students also find their classmates are a tremendous source of support.

Who do I talk to if I have more questions, or if I want to apply?

You may call an Admissions Advisor at 1.866.232.0232ext. 3386 who will be able to answer all your questions.

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Knowledge is in every

country the surest way

to happiness.

— George Washington

HERITAGE

The George Washington University, which celebrated its 185th anniversary in 2006,grew out of the desire of our country’s first President to establish a national institutionof higher learning. When GW opened its doors in 1821 as Columbian College in theDistrict of Columbia, it boasted three faculty members, one tutor, and 30 students.

In 1904, the name of the institution was changed to The George Washington University.Today, the University’s enrollment totals more than 19,000 undergraduate and graduatestudents in nine schools. With its location in the nation’s capital, the University hasplayed host to numerous national and international dignitaries. In recent years, formerSoviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, former Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban, andboth former President Clinton and former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton havelectured or spoken at GW.

ABOUT THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

The George Washington University (GW) is a private, coeducational, non-sectarianuniversity located in Washington, DC. Founded in 1821 as The Columbian College onland provided by former President George Washington, the university has since developedinto a leading educational and research institution. The 43 acre campus, located in thecity’s historic Foggy Bottom neighborhood, is situated a few blocks from the White Houseand the rest of the National Mall. In 1999, the university acquired the Mount VernonCollege for Women. As of 2006, the George Washington University’s endowment andother trust funds total approximately $1.017 billion. George Washington is currentlyranked 52nd on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Top National Universities.

In addition to 4,500 staff members, The George Washington University enrolls aneven balance of undergraduate and graduate students; roughly 11,000 of the formerand 12,500 of the latter.

The GeorgeWashingtonUniversity

The George Washington UniversityGraduate School of Education and Human Development

2134 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052-0001

Tel: 1.866.232.0232 ext. 3386 (US and Canada) or +1.647.722.6641 ext. 3386 (International) • Fax: 1.866.724.5708 • E-mail: info@eddegree.com