If you want to get sent to the principal’s office (or any other school administrative office for that matter), enrolling in the Educational Administration Program at Ursuline College is a smart place to start.
Approximately 270 Ursuline graduates are putting their master’s degree in educational administration to work in various administrative capacities throughout the region—from Westlake to Ashtabula to Akron—and more are joining the ranks. Already this summer, 10 graduates have been hired to new administrative positions, joining 62 graduates that were hired over the past two summers. Graduates can be found serving in public, private, charter and Catholic schools across Northeast Ohio in a variety of high-profile roles, including principal, dean of students, athletic director, superintendent, curriculum coordinator and special education supervisor.
There are unique challenges facing the educational system today, and the Ursuline program takes a comprehensive, hands-on approach to prepare future administrators to face those challenges head-on.
“The Ursuline program is a people-oriented leadership program,” explains Marty Kane, assistant professor, educational administration. “We emphasize the need for effective administrators to communicate successfully, to promote a positive school climate and to act with integrity. The program prepares individuals to function as principle-centered leaders.”
Candidates learn to work with others through the development of positive relationships; to identify values and operate from a values-based system; to develop effective leadership skills; and to understand and integrate the knowledge required to lead an effective school. Throughout their course load, students will learn leadership and management; curriculum and instruction; personnel and resource management; contract and state law; funding and fundraising; and educational theories within the unique environment of private and non-public schools, as well as philosophy of public and private education.
Six other colleges in the region offer similar programs, but Kane says Ursuline’s distinguishes itself with its collaborative, hands-on approach.
“Students in the master’s program experience interactions with faculty, experienced school administrators as well as their colleagues in a variety of classes, seminars and field work opportunities,” he explains.
Among the benefits of Ursuline’s program:
- Class size. “With only 100-120 active students in the program at a time, our class sizes are small, which allows for more individual attention,” Kane says.
- Scheduling. Evening, Saturday and summer classes gives students flexibility. “Students can schedule their classes based on their individual needs and financial situation,” Kane explains.
- Educators as instructors. Ursuline instructors are experienced, effective teachers and school administrators. An academic advisor and the program administrative assistant provide daily support to program candidates.
- Field work. Candidates who earn their administrative license through Ursuline complete more than 400 hours of internship work with a cooperating principal and mentor principal, providing valuable real-life experiences.
- Tuition. A 40% discount is available to candidates currently working in education.
To learn more about the program, which is fully accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council, visit www.ursuline.edu or contact Kane at 440-646-8148.
