Department of Educational Administration

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Department of Educational Administration

(585) 395-2661

Chair and Professor: Sandra L. Graczyk, EdD, SUNY Buffalo. Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus: William C. Rock, EdD, Columbia University. Professor Emeritus: Donald F. Nelson Nasca, EdD, SUNY Buffalo. Associate Professor: Sharon M. Kehoe, JD, SUNY Brockport. Associate Professor Emeritus: Ronald J. Davis, EdD, St. John's University; Charles G. Jenkins, EdD, Northern Illinois University; Ann M. Schneider, EdD, SUNY Buffalo. Assistant Professor: Joseph Hoff, EdD, SUNY Buffalo.

• Requirements
• Courses

The objective of the program is to develop administrative leaders for the schools of New York state and the nation. The department is approved to offer the following programs in educational administration:

1. A 30-credit program leading to a Master of Science in Education, with a specialty area in Educational Administration.
2. A 60-credit program leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Educational Administration (Building Principal) and to New York State School Administrator and Supervisor Certification (SAS), providing the candidate meets the experience requirements and any other requirements, such as examinations or portfolios, which the New York State Education Department may require in the future. This program also qualifies graduates for the New York State School District Administrator certification (SDA), for which graduates can apply directly to the New York State Education Department.
3. A 66-credit program leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in School Business Administration (SBA) and to a New York State School Business Administrator Certificate (SBA), providing the candidate meets any other requirements, such as examinations or portfolios, which the New York State Education Department may require in the future.

The CAS programs may be designed to include a Master of Science at the completion of 30 credits in approved courses. Persons already holding a master's degree may complete the Certificate of Advanced Study with an additional 36-42 credits.

The School Administrator and Supervisor Certificate (SAS) is required in New York state for any person serving more than 25 percent of his/her time in administrative or supervisory positions. Illustrative titles requiring this certificate are principal, supervisor, director, coordinator, or assistant or vice principal. The School District Administrator (SDA) certificate is required for central office positions such as superintendent of schools, district superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, and any other person having responsibilities involving general district-wide administration. Candidates desiring SAS or SDA certification must have completed three years of teaching or pupil personnel services activities in an elementary or secondary school prior to obtaining administrative certification.

The School Business Administrator (SBA) certificate is required for positions of deputy superintendent for business, associate superintendent for business, assistant superintendent for business, and school business administrator. The three-year teaching requirement is not required for SBA certification.

Matriculation

Students interested in matriculation should apply as soon as possible. Matriculation is a prerequisite for EDA 885 Practicum in Educational Leadership. Courses taken before matriculation are not automatically accepted as part of the graduate program. EDA 600 Foundations of Educational Leadership is the prerequisite, entry-level course for the CAS in Educational Administration (Building Principal and Central Office) and credit for only one other EDA course taken prior to EDA 600 is ordinarily accepted into the program. Students should seek advisement before taking graduate courses to ensure maximum course acceptance. Advisors are assigned upon departmental recommendation for matriculation and serve as the student's general consultant throughout the program. The advisor and the student, with the approval of the chairperson, develop the student's Plan of Study, make any necessary changes in the approved plan, and assure fulfillment of all requirements for graduation.

To be recommended for matriculation in the department, the student must:

1. Send a completed Application for Admission to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Among the documents that must be included as part of the self-managed application are a letter of support from a school district, the appropriate fees and official college transcripts o-undergraduate and graduate work (with the exception of any work completed at SUNY Brockport);
2. Meet with an assigned faculty advisor to develop the formal Plan of Study;
3. Have the Plan of Study approved and filed in the department.

Admission Requirements

Prior to being considered for matriculation, an applicant must submit the completed application, including official transcripts showing all college work completed and the school district letter of support. To qualify for matriculation the applicant must meet the following entrance requirements:

For the Educational Administration Program (SAS certification):

1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is a minimum requirement for all applicants.
2. One year of satisfactory teaching or pupil personnel services experience is a minimum requirement for all applicants. This is defined as a full-time, probationary position or long term substitute experience; per diem subbing does not qualify.
3. Support of a school district. As part of the application packet, the applicant must submit a letter on school district stationery from a principal, assistant superintendent, or superintendent so verifying #2 and #3 by confirming that:
   1. The applicant has at least one year of satisfactory teaching or pupil personnel services experience;
   2. The applicant is an outstanding teacher or pupil personnel services worker;
   3. The applicant has leadership potential; and
   4. The district will provide the applicant with opportunities for increased responsibilities in leadership roles (e.g., chairing a committee, planning activities or events, making formal oral presentations).
4. Three years of successful teaching or pupil personnel services experience upon completion of the program is required if the applicant wishes to obtain New York state certification as a school administrator/supervisor (SAS) or school district administrator (SDA).
5. A master's degree
   OR
   A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.

For the School Business Administration Program (SBA certification):

1. A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is a minimum requirement for all applicants.
2. Prior to being considered for admission, an applicant must submit a completed application, including transcripts showing all college work completed.
3. A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 or higher during the last two years of study
   OR
   A graduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher with at least nine graduate credits.

Transfer Courses

Between 18 and 24 credits from an earned master's degree are applied toward a Certificate of Advanced Study for non-EDA courses as follows: 24 credits are applied toward the CAS in the SAS program and the SBA program. There is no limit on the age of these transfer courses.

For students without an earned master's degree, courses transferred in as part of an uncompleted degree may be used for non-EDA courses as follows: a maximum of 12 credits can be applied toward the master's degree and a maximum of 12 credits can be applied toward the CAS degree. No course may be transferred in which a grade of less than "B" was received. There is normally a five-year age limit on these transfer courses; however, individual courses older than five years may be accepted for non-EDA course credit if, in the opinion of the advisor, the course material is still valid.

Courses in educational administration (not to exceed 6 credit hours) transferred in from another institution prior to enrolling in EDA 600 can be substituted for required or elective EDA courses only after consultation with and approval from a SUNY Brockport professor in that content area. There is a five-year age limit on these transfer courses.

At least 30 credits of work toward the CAS should be completed at SUNY Brockport.

Age of EDA Courses

EDA courses older than five years taken at SUNY Brockport prior to matriculation in the department or re-matriculation, if the original period of matriculation has expired, cannot normally be accepted for required or elective EDA courses; however, these courses may be accepted for non-EDA elective credit if, in the opinion of the advisor, the course material is still valid.

Independent Studies

Independent study allows students to explore unique areas of interest not addressed by currently offered EDA courses or to explore in greater depth a topic covered in an existing course. Students undertaking independent studies should have a rigorous and well-defined research agenda to maximize learning opportunities. Therefore, the Department of Educational Administration has adopted the following policy.

1. The sponsor of the independent study must be a full-time faculty member.
2. A student is limited to one (1) independent study.
3. The independent study proposal must include:
   1. A completed Independent and Directed Study Application (available from the department office);
   2. A completed Independent Study Outline (available from the department office) which must include (the student will need to attach additional pages):
      1. Title of the study;
      2. Abstract of the study (summarizes the work);
      3. Purpose of the study (why the student wants to do this);
      4. Methodology of the study (what the student will do and how it will be done). The student must be very specific, outlining a plan of action and/or steps that will be followed;
      5. Resources for the study (what the student will use to complete the work). This must include books and journal articles.
      6. The role of the faculty sponsor, including number and length of meetings between the student and the professor;
      7. Intended outcomes or products of the study (what the study will produce);
      8. Deadline for submission of outcomes or products; and
      9. If a field-based project, the signature of an administrator at the level of principal or above.
4. The student must obtain approval of the above by the faculty sponsor and the department chair by:
   1. April 15 for summer session independent studies;
   2. August 1 for fall semester independent studies; and
   3. December 15 for spring semester independent studies.
5. Letter grades ("A," "B," "C," and "E") will be used for all independent studies; a grade of "S" (Satisfactory) or "U" (Unsatisfactory) cannot be awarded.
6. A student must be fully matriculated to undertake an Independent Study course.
7. Directed studies (home pursuit of an existing course) are eliminated.

Graduate Dismissal Policy

Students with a GPA below 3.0 will have one semester to bring the GPA to 3.0. Failure to bring the GPA to 3.0 will result in the student's dismissal from the program. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may not enroll in the practicum or the internship. Additional EDA course work may be required of those who have completed core courses and/or electives and maintain a GPA below 3.0.

Time Limit

Students without a master's degree have five years from the date of matriculation to complete the MS and an additional five years from the date of the master's degree to complete the CAS. Students seeking a CAS only, who already possess a master's degree, have five years from the date of matriculation to complete the CAS.

Student Requests for Exceptions

Department policies regarding student and curriculum issues are essential for program quality and integrity, but occasionally circumstances appear that warrant an exception or waiver for a particular student. However, wholesale granting of exceptions and waivers minimizes the impact of department policies and can lead to dilution of intended program outcomes. A mechanism of full department review, using the collective wisdom of the faculty, helps ensure that only the most urgent waivers and exceptions are granted. Therefore, the Department of Educational Administration has adopted the following policy:

1. The department as a whole will review and approve or disapprove all student requests for exceptions to or waivers from department policies.
2. To request an exception to or waiver from a department policy, the student must:
   1. Be fully matriculated in the department;
   2. Consult with his/her advisor for support of the request and guidance through the process; and
   3. Put the request in writing, addressed to the department chair, explaining in detail the exception or waiver sought and the rationale.
3. The department will consider the request at the next monthly department faculty meeting.
4. The department's decision will be final; however, the student may appeal the decision to the Dean of the School of Professions.

Program Requirements

Candidates for a degree are expected to demonstrate mastery of all competencies contained in the Rating Sheet: Mastery of Educational Administration Competencies by the end of the internship (EDA 888) to qualify for graduation with the CAS in Educational Administration degree. The rating sheet is available from the department upon matriculation.

CAS IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION (SAS OPTION)

CAS IN SCHOOL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Educational Administration Courses

EDA 600 Foundations of Educational Leadership. Prerequisite: Two years of satisfactory teaching or pupil personnel experience. This is defined as a full-time, probationary position or long-term substitute experience; per diem substitute teaching does not qualify. The student must so verify by submitting a letter on school district stationery from the superintendent of schools or the director of personnel/human resources. Provides an introduction to school administration, including organizational dynamics and the managerial skills of communication, decision making, leadership, planning, and small group dynamics. 6 Cr. Fall, Spring.

EDA 610 Institute in Educational Administration and Supervision. Seminar for practicing administrators and students matriculated in the Department of Educational Administration. Covers current issues and practices in the field of educational administration and supervision. Topics are researched and discussed in small seminar sessions by participants. May be repeated. 3-6 Cr.

EDA 653 Site Management. Defines site as a discrete unit with varying amounts of autonomy, accountability and responsibility, e.g., building or department. Focuses on management of personnel, students, resources, programs, and facilities within the unit, including policy implementation, assessment, and long-term planning. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

EDA 656 Personnel Administration. Covers personnel administration at the business office level, including the identification and determination of school policies; collective negotiations; recruitment, selection, and appointment of personnel; affirmative action; the formulation and administration of salary schedules and general working conditions; and the separation of personnel from service. 3 Cr.

EDA 675 Microcomputer Applications for School Administrators. Familiarizes students with technical concepts, vocabulary, and operation of microcomputer systems, with specific emphasis on DOS. Enables students to understand, design, and manage database, spreadsheet, graphing, and desktop publishing applications of Lotus 1-2-3 and design files and procedures to use these applications to analyze administrative needs and problems and to perform tasks to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. 3 Cr.

EDA 678 Clinical Supervision. For those preparing for principal, supervisor, team leader, coordinator or head of department in public or private schools. Provides for school supervision, including observation and conferencing skills, induction and professional growth of personnel, and performance appraisal. 3 Cr. Every semester.

EDA 691 Principles and Practices of Budgeting. Covers budgeting theories and practices used by the school business official, including estimating expenditures, personnel costs, and revenues. Provides an in-depth explanation of budget administration and function/object coding. Examines board, community, and staff support, including determining local needs and constraints, educating the public, conducting annual referenda, and contingent budgets. 3 Cr.

EDA 692 Design and Use of Microcomputer Systems for School Business Administrators. Focuses on the use of in-house computer systems and BOCES computing services for school business management applications. Presents a model for planning and implementing micro- and mini computer systems in school districts. Requires hands-on practice with DOS and spreadsheet, database management, and graphics applications through the use of IBM-compatible hardware and Lotus 1-2-3 s-e. Assumes no prior knowledge of or skill with microcomputers. 3 Cr.

EDA 693 Administration of Support Services. Covers services that support the instructional operations of the district: food service, for instructional program evaluation and development. Provides for experience in program design, implementation, and management with an emphasis on evaluation. 3 Cr.

EDA 840 Systems Theory and Management. Prerequisites: EDA 600 and 653. Emphasizes the gestalt of school district administration to facilitate the articulation and communication of system visions. Covers General Systems Theory, the role of politics and marketing, and change theories and practices. Includes the development of policy/regulations and implementation. 3 Cr.

EDA 841 Fiscal Management. Prerequisite: EDA 694. Provides future central office administrators with an understanding of the financing of school districts, school district financial planning, and the work of the business office. 3 Cr.

EDA 842 Advanced Legal Issues. Prerequisite: EDA 871. Covers legal issues that confront the superintendent in administration of schools, including the use of the school attorney, ethical issues, Family Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, school board procedures, elections, and open meetings law. 3 Cr.

EDA 843 Advanced Personnel Management. Provides future central office administrators with concepts and models to participate appropriately in contract negotiations and administration, to handle complex personnel problems, and to foster good relations between the central office and the school buildings. 3 Cr.

EDA 844 Instructional Management. Prerequisites: EDA 600, 653, 678, and 840. Prepares the student to analyze the instructional program from a district-wide perspective and to make sound decisions regarding curriculum development and implementation. 3 Cr.

EDA 860 Special Education Administration and Law I. Focuses on the administrative integration of services for educationally implementing the governing regulations. Includes lectures, guest speakers, group discussions, Committee on Special Education simulations, and field trips. 3 Cr.

EDA 861 Special Education Administration and Law II. Focuses on the due process rights of handicapped students. Emphasizes understanding and applying relevant regulations, statutes, Commissioner of Education decisions, and case law. Includes lectures, guest speakers, group discussions, impartial hearing simulations, and field trips. 3 Cr.

EDA 871 Legal Basis of Education. Covers laws, judicial decisions, and constitutional provisions relating to education; the legal responsibilities of teachers and school officials; and the role of the transportation, school store, supply management, purchasing and bidding, insurance, and records management. Also explores the question of in-house vs. contracted services. 3 Cr.

EDA 694 Resource Management. Provides students with concepts that aid understanding of the school district budget, practices that aid participation in the development and management of a building's budget, and tools that aid recruitment and selection of teachers and building support staff. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

EDA 699 Independent Study in Educational Administration. Designed individually through consultation between student and instructor to suit the student's needs and interests and the special competence of the instructor. Additional requirements may be established by the department. 3 Cr.

EDA 715 Managing the Middle School. Recognizes that middle-level education has become the focal point of major reform in promoting student identity, drop-out prevention, and career decisions. Explores organizational and instructional strategies uniquely adapted for the middle school. 3 Cr.

EDA 716 Strategic Planning. Recognizes mission statements and long-term goals as critical attributes of successful schools. Considers schools as open systems, which must effectively interact with a variety of environmental inputs to create viable long-term goals. Examines three major strategic planning guides and prepares students to serve as strategic planning facilitators in their own districts. 3 Cr.

EDA 720 Principals as Mentors. Matches practicing administrators with EDA students toward the goal of creating a beneficial relationship between someone who is older, wiser, and more experienced with younger or less experienced individuals in a complementary relationship within the professional context of educational administration, building upon both the student and mentor's needs. 3 Cr.

EDA 820 Staff Development. Focuses on creating a climate for professional growth and change, assessing staff needs, and analyzing instructional deficiencies. Develops skills in defining objectives for adult learners, preparing learning activities, and evaluating the degree to which change has occurred. Introduces experiences in developing a rationale for change, securing board support, and identifying sources of innovation. 3 Cr.

EDA 830 Program Management and Instructional Leadership. Designed for principals, vice principals, department leaders, lead teachers, and central office managers who have responsibility state as it relates to practical problems of public school administration. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

EDA 873 Readings in Educational Administration. Under guidance of a staff member, requires students to outline a program of reading on some administrative topic or problem, to confer with the instructor periodically, and to prepare a comprehensive critical report of findings. 3 Cr.

EDA 876 Seminar in Career Development. Prerequisite: EDA 885. Emphasizes career development. Covers skills acquisition assessment; targeted resume preparation; job search portfolio; advanced interview preparation and practice; networking; development of a career plan with emphasis on skills assessment and acquisition beyond formal preparation/certification. 3 Cr.

EDA 879 Advanced Clinical Supervision. Continuation of EDA 678. Emphasizes the conduct of instructional conferences that have both reinforcement and instructional objectives. For those preparing for principal, supervisor, team leader, coordinator, or head of department in public or private schools. 3 Cr.

EDA 885 Practicum in Educational Leadership. Prerequisites: EDA 600, 653, 678, 694, and 871 and matriculation. A field experience that allows students to demonstrate leadership, communication, and planning proficiency in a realistic school setting, under the supervision of a department member. Requires students to attend seminars and conferences. Also requires students to submit evidence of successful completion of practicum requirements. Successful completion is a prerequisite to internship application. 3 Cr. Every Semester.

EDA 888 Administrative Internship. Prerequisite: Restricted to students matriculated in the CAS program who have completed all of the course work listed on their official program of study. A field experience that further develops administrative competencies. Supervised by a department member in cooperation with an appropriate administrator. Requires students to attend seminars, conferences, and have personal conferences with their supervisors. Also requires students to submit evidence of successful completion of the internship requirements. 6 Cr. Every Semester.

EDA 890 Issues in Site Management for School Business Administrators. Helps the student gain a macroscopic perspective of the role of the business office in the total instructional mission of the school. Introduces building issues such as clinical supervision, staff development, curriculum development, communication concepts and practices, and special education. 3 Cr.

EDA 891 Facilities Planning and Management. Covers the administration and use of existing district buildings and grounds, new construction, and renovation, including capital fund management. Also covers health and safety issues that affect students, staff, and community. 3 Cr.

EDA 892 Legal Issues for School Business Administrators. Presents sections of law affecting school business operations. Includes sources of law such as: education law, general municipal law, local finance law, public officers law, court cases, and commissioner's decisions and regulations. Also discusses records management and ethics. 3 Cr.

EDA 893 School Finance and Revenue Management. Covers school district revenues sources, including taxation concepts and practices, theoretical models in state funding, state aid in New York, federal aid and special education, and public support for non-public schools. Also discusses revenue management in terms of forecasting and long-term financial planning, maximizing revenues, and cash management. 3 Cr.

EDA 894 Public School Accounting. Prerequisite: EDA 691 or instructor's permission. Examines in depth fund accounting in New York state for the general and other funds. Also covers the duties of the district treasurer and other accounting operations of the district in the areas of district census and pupil attendance and extracurricular fund management. Studies payroll development, administration, and reporting for both salaries and fringe benefits. 6 Cr.

E EDA 897 Practicum in School Business Administration. Prerequisites: Successful completion of at least two required courses in the SBA program; EEDA 897 must be completed prior to the start of the sixth course in the SBA program. A shadowing experience for the student to engage in a limited number of school business tasks at a school business office. Augmented by 37.5 class hours covering the role and function of the school business administrator and legal and procedural issues for the district clerk. 6 Cr.

ED EDA 898 Internship in School Business Administration. Prerequisites: Matriculation in the SBA program by the closing date for applications, an earned master's degree, and completion of all 10 required SBA courses, including the SBA practicum. A field experience enabling the student to gain direct experience in the role of school business administrator under the supervision of a practitioner. A department professor, in cooperation with the field administrator, supervises the student during this experience. 6 Cr.