The Division of Education will begin offering a sixth-year diploma in educational leadership in Summer 2008 to help meet the demand for school administrators in Connecticut.
"An increasing number of principals are retiring in Connecticut," said Gary Alger, director of educational leadership. "Supply is not meeting the number of vacancies. Challenges school leaders face, such as school safety and improving schools with limited budgets and fewer resources, deter teachers from moving into leadership positions. We're responding by offering a program that gives teachers confidence to meet those challenges. We want to inspire people to see these challenges as opportunities."
The sixth-year diploma is for certified teachers who have a master of arts or master of science degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of four years of elementary, middle or high school teaching experience.
Teachers take courses in leadership and management, education law and public school finance to attain the knowledge and skills to manage the challenges school leaders face and engage the school community in strategic planning for continued improvement.
"There are many job opportunities out there," Alger said. "Teachers in leadership roles can enhance their salary and benefits, but more importantly have an influence outside the four walls of the classroom and on the whole school. People become teachers because of the satisfaction of helping children learn. Sitting from the seat of the principal's office, teachers can experience that satisfaction on a broader scale."
The 30-credit sixth-year diploma is a part-time program on an accelerated schedule designed around the busy life of a full-time teacher. A series of three, six-credit core courses meet in the late afternoon and evening and include online learning assignments for more convenience. Other courses are scheduled during a condensed five-week summer session.
After completing the first 21 credits of the program, teachers can take the Connecticut Administrator Test to earn the Intermediate Administration or Supervision (092) certificate from the Connecticut State Department of Education. With this certificate, which can be earned in four semesters, and completion of the internship requirement, teachers are eligible to apply for school administrator positions. After completing the remaining nine credits of the program, teachers earn the sixth-year diploma. Teachers can complete all program requirements in six semesters.
The internship provides teachers with 216 hours of guided, hands-on professional experience as a school leader. To qualify for acceptance into the educational leadership program, applicants need signatures from both a school- and a district-level administrator indicating their agreement to cooperate with the applicant and the University to develop, implement and supervise the internship.
The Division of Education offers rolling admission for the Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Candidates must have a record of teaching excellence, earned a minimum graduate grade point average of 3.0 and completed at least 36 hours, equivalent to three credits, of a special education course.
For more information, contact Alger at 203-582-3289 or gary.alger@quinnipiac.edu.