COUN559: Dynamics of Group Process

A laboratory-based course for the development of group skills and understandings. Focus is on experimental learning and personal growth. Readings in human interaction theory will be related to actual group participation. 1 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Matriculated in Educational Leadership (ELAD).

ELAD510: Effective Leadership in a Diverse Society (3 hours lecture)

This course focuses on concepts and techniques of leadership for student learning and systems change, the changing roles of leaders in a diverse society, and the use of strategic planning and data analysis in the implementation of a vision for school success and student achievement. Throughout the course, students develop the skills, knowledge and dispositions to lead effectively, guided by the literature on leadership style and its interconnectedness to the power of authority of leaders. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD).

ELAD521: Education Law (3 hours lecture)

This course immerses students in the practice of school law as it relates to legal theory, practical politics, the relationship of a school district's organization to other units of government, the appellate function of the state Commissioner of Education and the state Board of Education, New Jersey school laws (Title 18A of the revised statutes), and rules and regulations of the state Board of Education and their decisions. Students study New Jersey school legal structure and compare it to that of other states, while they work through authentic case studies. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 510, Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), Principal (PRIN), Supervisor (SUPR) or departmental approval.

ELAD527: School District Planning and Policy Making (3 hours lecture)

This course will focus on the rules and regulations of the local school districts, how they are developed, what forces are involved in their development, and what roles the educational administrator plays in this total process. The course will explore the planning and decision-making process which leads to the establishment of local school board policy as determined through local, state, and federal policy. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in ELAD, SBNA, ELET or ELAO.

ELAD540: Differentiated Supervision (3 hours lecture)

In this course, students examine the supervisory roles of school leaders in supporting effective teaching and student learning. They learn about the processes of clinical supervision, coaching, and mentoring, and develop the knowledge and skills to ensure effective instruction through collaboration, observation, analysis, feedback, and evaluation of instruction. All students engage in simulated and authentic supervision of classroom practice through a variety of techniques. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 510. Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), Principal (PRIN), Supervisor (SUPR).

ELAD543: Administrative Aspects of Management and Supervision. Starting Summer 2012: Leadership and the Learning Organization (3 hours lecture)

This course will focus on comprehensive principles and future perspectives of schools as learning organizations and the management of personnel and facilities toward implementing a vision for a learning framework for all students and staff. Topics will include the law, policy, guidelines, procedures and ethics of administrative decisions; management and leadership of human resources; distributive leadership within the learning community; recruitment, selection and termination; staffing patterns; schedule design; and planning and budgeting processes. Starting Summer 2012: In this course, students examine comprehensive principles for leadership to develop schools as learning organizations and for the management of personnel and facilities to implement a learning framework for all students and staff that results in student achievement. They explore policy, guidelines, procedures and ethics of administrative decisions; management and leadership of human resources; distributive leadership within the learning community; recruitment, selection and termination of staff; staffing patterns; schedule design; and planning and budgeting processes. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), Supervisor (SUPR), Principal (PRIN).

ELAD545: Leadership Skills in Communication for the Educator/Trainer. Starting Summer 2012: Leadership Skills in Communication (3 hours lecture)

This course provides experience in basic leadership skills for the educator/trainer: communication skills, report writing skills, listening skills, and presentation skills. Students will prepare actual reports, presentations, and reactions, verbal and/or written, to problem situations. Audio and video taping of individual skills presentation of simulated situations will be an important component of the course. Increasing training and supervisory effectiveness through the improvement of communication skills will be the major focus of this course. Starting Summer 2012: This course explores contemporary concepts about the meanings and functions of communication in organizational leadership. Students explore the skills of communication: listening, speaking, writing and presenting to increase leadership and supervisory effectiveness through improved communication. Students prepare reports and reactions, verbal and written, to problem situations. Audio and video taping of individual skills in simulated situations is a component of the course. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in ELAD, ELET or ELAO. Starting Summer 2012: Departmental approval only.

ELAD610: Theory and Research in Administration. Starting Summer 2012: Fieldwork in District Level Leadership (3 hours lecture)

Applies organization science to, and gives scholarly analysis of, individual problems in experiences in the internship or field. Starting Summer 2012: This course presents future leaders with an opportunity to become immersed in the practice and responsibilities exclusive to district-level administrative leadership. Students have opportunities to study effective leadership first-hand from the perspective of the central office, taking multiple perspectives, including approaches to fiscal responsibility, student achievement, data analysis, professional development, community relations, and advocacy. Upon the completion of the work, students develop a portfolio that includes artifacts as well as analysis and reflective commentary on the experience. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Department approval only.

ELAD611: Advanced Seminar on Educational Issues. Starting Summer 2012: Ethical Leadership and Decision Making (3 hours seminar)

Final integrating experience in the leadership program. Implications for educational administration of major contemporary issues and trends. Starting Summer 2012: This course explores the ethical dimensions of leadership behavior and practice, and organizational decision making. Students examine various ethical dilemmas that educational leaders confront and apply ethical frameworks to resolve those dilemmas. Students read, discuss, analyze, and apply these frameworks surrounding ethical leadership and decision making to have the knowledge and skills to create a culture of ethical integrity through leadership. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Department approval only.

ELAD612: Theories and Strategies in Educational Administration (3 hours lecture)

Processes and findings of organization science applied to educational problems. Frameworks for instruction, personnel, finance, facilities, service and public participation at the school district level. Emphasizes issues, trends and contemporary problems. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in ELAD, PRIN, ADSU or department approval.

ELAD614: Transformative Leadership Practices (3.0 credits lecture)

This course presents students with the opporunity to become immersed in leadership practive, and to appreciate the importance of instructional leadership in the creation of a learning environment supportive of student achievement. They study effective leadership first-hand, develop and practice instructional leadership skills, and enhance their knowledge for a career as a school leadership. Students develop a portofolio that includes artifacts as well as analysis and reflective commentary as the capstone project. 3 sh.

ELAD615: Supervised Field Experience in Administration and Supervision. Starting Summer 2012: Internship in School Leadership (3 hours lecture)

Starting Summer 2012: This internship is the culminating activity for students completing the Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. Through the internship, students have an opportunity to become immersed in leadership practice and to appreciate the importance of instructional leadership in the creation of a learning environment at their school sites. They study effective leadership first-hand, develop and practice instructional leadership skills, and are mentored for a career as a school principal. The internship requires a minimum of 300 hours of supervised standards-based fieldwork under the direction of a university professor and a school mentor. Upon the completion of the work, students develop a portfolio that includes artifacts as well as analysis and reflective commentary that is presented at a dialogue session. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Department approval only.

ELAD622: School Finance (3 hours lecture)

In this course, students examine the current economic environment and its impact on schools; state, local and federal taxation; state school aid theory and practice; school district indebtedness; statutory school budget and fiscal controls; various cost-quality instruments; and the role of the school leader in school fiscal structure and decision making in relation to local, state and federal requirements. They apply their developing knowledge of the budget process in creating a fiscally responsive budget for a content area department and school site. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 510; Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD) or departmental approval.

ELAD624: School Plant Maintenance and Operation (3 hours lecture)

Latest techniques in the maintenance and operation of the school plant. Various specialists in specific areas of study utilized in the instructional program. Determination of work loads, formulation of job descriptions, supply storage, care of mechanical and hand tools and equipment and care of the school site. (Not offered every year.) 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 510. Graduate students in ELAD, SBNA or department approval.

ELAD629: Accounting, Auditing, and Reporting for School Systems (3 hours lecture)

The course will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to initiate and maintain a school district's accounting, auditing, and reporting program. Emphasis is placed on the terminology and processes required to insure local school district financial accountability. New Jersey operational requirements will be stressed. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 526. Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), School Business Administrator (SBNA) or departmental approval.

ELAD635: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (3 hours lecture)

This course focuses on the knowledge and skills needed by building and district leaders to support student achievement through curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Students examine the role of vision, organization, and motivation in leading curriculum development and supporting teacher development of expertise in effective instruction and assessment. Through research and authentic experiences students gain a deeper understanding of how to design and promote professional development that serves to enhance instruction and assessment, and the many ways to involve all stakeholders in the work. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), Principal (PRIN), Supervisor (SUPR) or departmental approval.

ELAD643: Staff Personnel Administration and Supervision (3 hours lecture)

Personnel practices and problems in current school situations. Roles of policy-making bodies, the public, professionals, paraprofessionals and general staff in recruitment, selection, retention and evaluation of staff. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 521, ELAD 540. Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), School Business Administrator (SBNA) or departmental approval.

ELAD644: Collective Bargaining, Impasse and Grievance Resolution (3 hours lecture)

Analysis of New Jersey public relations law (Chapter 123, New Jersey public laws of 1974). Simulations and case studies to illustrate negotiations, grievance, and impasse procedures. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), School Business Administrator (SBNA) or departmental approval.

ELAD670: Selected Topics in Administration and Supervision

Emphasis on professional development issues and topics for prospective administrators and supervisors of educational programs and personnel in a variety of settings. Topics will vary depending on needs, concerns, or interests of individual student taking the course and the faculty member instructing the course. Current issues and concerns are given priority. Course is also available for practicing professionals and organizations. May be repeated twice for a maximum of 6.0 credits as long as the topic is different. 1 - 3 sh.

Prerequisites: Graduate students in ELAD, ELET, ELAO, PRIN, ADSU or department approval.

ELAD680: Leading Curriculum Change in Diverse Settings. Starting Summer 2012: Leading Curriculum Change for Student Achievement (3 hours lecture)

This course will help students make the transition from thinking of curriculum for a particular subject within a classroom setting to thinking of the philosophical frameworks that help shape curriculum and the curricular approaches and professional learning for school staff that will increase student achievement. Students will develop an understanding of the nature of the presented curriculum and learn how to effectively restructure that curriculum and create professional learning opportunities in response to staff and student emerging needs. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELAD 635; Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD), Principal (PRIN), Supervisor (SUPR) or departmental approval.

ELAD690: School and Community Relations (3 hours lecture)

This course will examine the political, social, and economic factors which influence the school's relationship with various community agencies and constituencies. Students will develop administrative sensitivity to the various communities. They will also develop skills in group dynamics to work with faculty and staff, build a school community where attention to social justice and equity is the norm, facilitate change and conflict resolution, communicate with parents and community, and involve stakeholders in developing schoolwide improvement plans. Starting Summer 2012: In this course, students examine the political, social, and economic factors that influence a school's relationship with various community agencies and constituencies. They also develop administrative sensitivity to the various communities. As part of the process, students develop skills in group dynamics they need to work with faculty and staff; build a school community where attention to social justice, equity, and student achievement is the norm; facilitate change and conflict resolution; communicate with parents and community; and involve stakeholders in developing school-wide improvement plans. 3 sh.

Prerequisites: ELRS 504. Graduate students in Educational Leadership (ELAD) and Principal (PRIN).

ELRS504: Action Research (3 hours lecture)

Principles and techniques of research applicable to classroom situations. Various kinds of classroom research are studied and analyzed. Practice provided in the planning and outlining a research project. The development of experimental designs, and evaluation of the structure and outcomes of classroom research. 3 sh.

ELRS578: Testing and Evaluation (3 hours lecture)

Principles and practices of educational and psychological testing and evaluation relevant to professionals in human services, communication sciences and disorders, education, and related fields. Historical/philosophical orientation; place of testing in instructional and remedial programs; statistical concepts underlying measurement; validity, reliability, response set; construction of tests and measurement instruments; evaluation and interpretation of testing data; use and misuse of testing data; reporting data to students, parents and colleagues; critical analyses of selected standardized intelligence, ability and personality tests; experimental tests and measurement instruments. Course project geared to individual student needs. 3 sh.

SPED579: Special Education for Students with Disabilities (3 hours lecture)

An overview of instruction for students with special needs; characteristics of special populations, federal and state legislation, educational implications of disabling conditions, principles for instruction and planning for inclusion are presented; community resources and special issues related to the education of students with disabilities are discussed. 3 sh.