Areas of Specialization
Organizational Leadership and Policy Studies (OLPS)
Certification Programs
The Department of Education Leadership, Higher Education and International Education offers the following programs, which allow students to be eligible for Maryland State Department of Education Administrator I or Superintendent Certification:
- M.A. with Administrator I Certification
- Post Master's Administrator I Certification
- Ed.D. with Superintendent Certification
M.A. with Administrator I Certification
This program is designed to prepare students to be eligible for Administrator I Certification in the State of Maryland. The program is consistent with the standards of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).
The minimum credit hours requirements for this program are as follows:
| Credit Hours | |
| Disciplinary and Multi-disciplinary Perspectives | 15 credits |
| Examples: EDHI 640 Introduction to Education Leadership EDHI 646 Leading Instructional Excellence EDHI 670 Developing Learning Communities in Educational Organizations EDHI 671 Education Law and Policy |
|
| Research Methods | 9 credits |
| EDHI 690 Research in Education Policy and Leadership (or equivalent) EDMS 645 Quantitative Research Methods (or equivalent) EDHI 700 Qualitative Research Methods in Education (or equivalent) |
|
| Issue-focused Seminars | 9 credits |
| EDHI 642 Management of Change in Educational Organization EDHI 645 Managing Instructional Improvement EDHI 676 School Finance and Business Administration |
|
| Field Experience | 1 - 4 credits |
| EDHI 689 Field Experiences in Education (Permission of department required) | |
| Seminar Paper | 3 credits |
| EDHI 679 Master's Seminar |
Post Master's Administrator I Certification
For teachers who have a master’s degree from an accredited institution and a minimum of three (3) years of satisfactory teaching, it is possible to obtain MSDE Administrator I Certification by taking the six (6) courses listed below. All students should consult with their local school district certification office or MSDE, Division of Certification, before pursuing this option for Administrator I Certification:
EDHI 640 Introduction to Educational Leadership (3 credits)Formerly EDPA 640
The focus of this course is the analysis of the role of education administrators/leaders in the social, political, and legal contexts of schools. Also examines the role of leadership in school improvement.
EDHI 645 Managing Instructional Improvement (3 credits)
Formerly EDPA 645
Development of knowledge and skills in the use of databases, research finding and models of supervision, to improve instruction in schools.
EDHI 646 Leading Instructional Excellence (3 credits)
Formerly EDPL646.
Leader's role in fostering high quality teaching and learning. Exploration of the relationship between curriculum instruction assessment and the organizational structure of K-12 public schooling. Development and assessment of frameworks for understanding instructional quality. Analysis of strategies for supporting teachers as they engage in curricular and professional development. Consideration of factors involved in creating and sustaining instructionally centered schools.
EDHI 670 Learning Communities (3 credits)
Formerly EDPA 670
Reviews contemporary research on student and teacher learning and schools as learning organizations. It aims to build students understanding of opportunities and challenges to implementing learning environments in various educational organizations. Readings, cases and assignments emphasize students' understanding of learning theories and their application to various organizational settings.
EDHI 671 Education Law and Policy (3 credits)
An examination of the way judicial interpretation of common, statutory, and constitutional law shapes and constrains educational policy making. Special emphasis on topics framed under the headings of liberalism and legalism.
EDHI 689: Practicum in Educational Administration and Supervision (1-3 credits)
Promotes skill development in managerial, leadership and supervisory areas. Practicum is based on results of diagnostic instruments and an individual professional development plan.
Ed.D. with Superintendent Certification
The Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Policy Studies is designed to prepare educators for major leadership positions. The program is consistent with the standards of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Graduates of the program are eligible to apply for Superintendent Certification in the State of Maryland.
Please note: The Ed.D. with Superintendent Certification admits new students in pre-arranged cohorts on a 3-year cycle. Please contact Dr. Carol S. Parham, Professor of Practice and Outreach Coordinator at 301-405-3580 for further information
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