In this course, students will explore major concepts related to developing partnerships and communities of learners. Course topics include the change process, forms of school and community governance, school culture, the concept of collaboration, and agencies and organizations involved in community programs and initiatives. Special attention is focused on planning and implementing system-wide and building-level networks. Students will develop and evaluate a framework for collaboration and demonstrate systems thinking. Typically the first course completed in the CAGS program.
Please note that all the February classes will be meeting in Lamson 124.
This course focuses on the development of a self-renewing capability inherent in professionals and organizations. Students will discuss the notion of transformation in the context of knowledge base, self-reflection, and the socio-professional processes in educational change. Students will explore the integration of ecological perspectives within a changing society and the demand for greater tolerance of human behavior in the context of learning. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the need to keep student learning and development as the central core of educational change. Prerequisites: EP 7020 and EP 7040.
The purpose of this course is to develop effective collaborative planners. This course presents the major stages in the process of developing a strategic plan, including forming a mission statement, crafting and implementing the plan, and evaluating plan performance. It provides a theoretical and practical overview of the skills, strategies, and resources required through each stage of the systemic planning process. (Prerequisite: EP 7020).
This course presents a discussion of ways institutions and their communities must deal with the legal and political environment in which they exist. Topics include current legal issues and how the stakeholders in society can use the law as a tool for social change. Institutions must advocate for positive change through the development of thoughtful legal policies and practices. Prerequisite: AD 5700 or SE 5300.
The role of the school administrator in planning school construction projects, maintaining school facilities, and overseeing the transportation of students is the focus of the course. Also emphasizes the relationship of facilities and transportation to the program needs of the students while complying with state and federal regulations.
A collaborative supervised field experience in one of several cooperating institutions or agencies. The purpose is to gain meaningful work experience as an administrator through applying knowledge learned in coursework to on-the-job situations. It is recommended that this course be taken near the end of the candidate's program.
Please contact instructor (pgmccormack@plymouth.edu) to arrange meeting dates and times.
The capstone experience is designed to provide an opportunity for CAGS level graduate candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of leadership and the arts by designing and implementing an art, leadership and learning project within an educational setting. Candidates are required to spend a minimum of 40 hours per credit hour devising and executing their planned project. At the conclusion of the capstone, candidates are expected to share their results in a public setting with faculty and others interested in arts and learning.
Please contact instructor (plindber@plymouth.edu) to arrange meeting dates and times.
This course focuses on ethical leadership and advocacy with an emphasis on personal and professional standards. Students apply ethical decision-making models to dilemmas drawn from professional contexts. The psychological and moral development needed to effectively advocate for social justice is considered. Students will demonstrate understanding of effective advocacy at the individual, community and socio-political levels. (Pre-requisite: Completion of EP 8000 and 8010 and member of the PSU EdD cohort).
The externship represents an important stage in the preparation of doctoral candidates. The externship provides an opportunity to explore and research topics of interest related to the dissertation at domestic and international locations outside the University. Externship placements allow candidates to gain new perspectives, sample different career paths, gather practical experience related to the dissertation and network with leaders in education and related fields. Candidates work with their instructor to establish the focus and site of the externship placement. Candidates develop and present their research project at the conclusion of the externship to faculty and peers. Students should be aware that a background check might be a requirement of certain externship sites. (Prerequisites: Successful completion of EP 8040, and permission of the instructor).
Please contact instructor (mrlebrun@plymouth.edu) to arrange meeting dates and times.