What our graduates say about the CAGS Program

Marianne M. True, Ed.D.
Assistant Professor
Plymouth State University
Plymouth, NH

"The CAGS program at Plymouth allowed me the opportunity to interact with educational leaders who are passionate about their work. Camaraderie among professionals engaged in both research and reflection gave me new insights, perspectives and skills."

Special Education Administration
Professional Certification option

Program Coordinator: Dr. Dennise M. Maslakowski, e-mail: dmmaslakowski@plymouth.edu
Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies; Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award 2000
B.A., M.A., Incarnate Word College; Ed.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

The M.Ed. in Special Education Administration program was offered originally at Plymouth State through a collaborative agreement with Gallaudet University from 1991 through 1994. This innovative joint degree program developed from a needs assessment of special education administrators in the area. At that time, no state certification existed in this area.

In 2000, this M.Ed. degree program was developed as an option in the Educational Leadership program to address the new state certification in special education administration. The Center for Professional Educational Partnerships (CPEP) developed modules addressing the certification competencies to facilitate access to certification across the state for those educators who did not desire graduate credits. The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) program’s strand in special education was expanded to include special education certification courses for special education administrators who already had a master’s degree and wished to pursue a post-master’s program.

Candidates in the Special Education Administration strand must have a minimum of three years teaching experience and possess certification in General Special Education K–12.

Required Courses

CAGS Core Component
EP 7020 Collaborative Leadership - 3 credits
EP 7030 Transforming the Educational Agenda - 3 credits
EP 7040 Planning in Education and Human Services - 3 credits
EP 7050 Qualitative Methodology and Applied Research - 3 credits
EP 7060 Legal Issues in Policy Making - 3 credits
EP 7070 Contemporary Social Trends - 3 credits

Special Education Administration Component
AD 5020 Staff Development and Evaluation - 3 credits
AD 5300 School Finance and Negotiation - 3 credits
ED 5060 Theories of Learning and Cognitive Development - 3 credits
CO 5430 Assessment and Consultation - 3 credits
SE 5760 Collaboration, Consultation and Leadership in Special Education - 3 credits
SE 6040 Curriculum Development in Special Education - 3 credits

Capstone Experience
EP 7800 Educational Leadership Practicum - 3 credits

Total for CAGS in Educational Leadership, Special Education Administration Strand – K–12 Certification - 42 credits