School District Business Leader (SDBL) - MSED

Program Overview:

The programs in Educational Leadership and Administration prepare students for careers in educational leadership in school building and school district environments at public, non-public, private, state and national agency levels. Educational leadership program options are available to meet a variety of student interests and career goals. Programs include a Master of Science in Education (concentration in School Building Leadership or School District Business Leadership), and advanced certificates leading to New York State certification as a School Building Leader (SBL), School District Leader (SDL), or School District Business Leader (SDBL).

The preparation programs combine school leadership theory with high engagement and relevant practice so program graduates are fully prepared to be successful school leaders. The combination of full-time faculty supported by adjunct field based faculty, ensures a student’s preparation is practical, and replicates the demanding expectations of school leadership. In most cases, students will be required to be matriculated into a program prior to being able to register for classes. Students are expected to work closely with the assigned college adviser to ensure that the program of study and experience are both appropriate and meaningful for meeting individuals’ personal and professional goals.

The School District Business Leader and MSED:

The Master of Science in Education, with a concentration in School District Business Leadership (SDBL), is a 36 credit on-line format that prepares students to assume school business and school financial district wide leadership roles including Business Administrator, Director of Finance or Business, or Assistant Superintendent for Finance or Business. This program provides students with the required master’s degree to meet New York State administrative certification for School District Business Leader (SDBL).

The program prepares students with a broad perspective on school leadership and improving student outcomes using resources efficiently and effectively. The on-line SDBL program is a combination of asynchronous (learn at your own rate and convenience) and synchronous learning (scheduled on-line live sessions). There is no on-campus in person requirement for the SDBL portion of study. Each cohort studies and progresses through coursework together. Cohorts take two courses per semester and a single course during the summer session. An administrative internship in a school district business or financial office over one to two semesters is the capstone activity. In meeting New York State internship requirements, the internship must include a minimum of 600 hours for this field based experience. The program may assist students in locating a school district business office internship placement. The 36 credit hour Master of Science in Education and SDBL program leads to New York State certification as a School District Business Leader (SDBL) after meeting other state certification requirements.

MBA/SDBL Combined Program:

This 60-credit program is designed for students who seek careers in a school business office but do not yet have a master’s degree. The profile of typical students includes an accounting background instead. For New York State to grant the SDBL certificate, students must have earned 60 graduate credits. This program is also fully online and begins with the MBA part of the program. Once this is completed, students will be placed into an SDBL cohort and will proceed forward with this program.

Program Contacts:

Dr. Deborah Shea

Coordinator, Educational Leadership and Administration programs

Email: shead@strose.edu

Program Webpage: https://www.strose.edu/educational-leadership-and-administration/

Program Requirements:

All students enrolled in the Master of Science in Education (concentration in School District Business Leadership) must take two research tools based courses. Students should register for EPY 500 in the first 12-15 credits and then either SED 590 Research Seminar in Special Education, or EDU 590 Integrative Research Seminar, or EPY 592 Integrative Seminar in Education. Students should consult with their advisor prior to selecting these courses.

The Master’s program is a combination of the 24 credit hour on-line program in School District Business Leadership (SDBL) and 12 additional credits, six credits in educational research tools and six credits in electives meeting student interest and linked to school leadership. The 12 credits may be taken on-line depending upon course availability and student course requirements and interests. For international students and those not seeking administrative certification, certain course requirements may be waived and course substitution approved after consultation with the College adviser.

Master’s degree students, in lieu of taking the EDA 999 Comprehensive Examination, may optionally take EDA 599, Master’s Thesis. A student must propose, develop, research, write and present a comprehensive Master’s Thesis research paper related to educational financial leadership. Prerequisites are: EDA 506; EDA 541; EDA 543; EDA 551; EDA 589, EDA 591; and EPY 500. If students elect this option, students are not required to take the research writing component (SED 590 Research Seminar in Special Education; EDU 590 Integrative Research Seminar; or EPY 592 Integrative Seminar in Education). Prior permission of the instructor is required and the adviser should be consulted prior to registration. (3-6 credits)

Students who wish to pursue administrative certification in New York State must take the internship, EDA 596 and EDA 597, a 600-hour in-district internship. Students who do not wish or do not qualify for New York State administrative certification will complete a 3-6 credit clinical field experience, EDA 586 Field Based Experience.

Prior to certification by New York State, candidates will need a Master’s degree, and accumulate a minimum of 60 graduate hours (36 hours in the master’s program plus an additional 24 graduate level hours) and pass the NYSTCE SDBL Assessment. Candidates will also need to document a minimum of three years of successful school or organizational leadership experience.

a. Required Core (18 Credits on-line)

EDA 506	Intro to Ed Lead & Adm - SDBL	3
EDA 541	Education Law for SDBL	3
EDA 543	Personnel Administration	3
EDA 551	SDBL School Finance	3
EDA 589	SDBL Finance & Practice	3
EDA 591	SDBL Sem:Crit Issues in SDB	3

b. Research Tools (6-9 Credits)

EPY 500	Educational Research	3
EDU 590	Integrative Research Seminar	3
	or
EPY 592	Integ Sem Ed Psyc	3
	or
SED 590	Res Seminar Sp Ed	3
EDA 599	Thesis	3 or 6
	or
EDA 999	Comp Exam	0

Note: EDA 599 is an alternative to EDA 595 (or equivalent) and EDA 999

c. Electives (3-6 Credits)

Students in the Master’s in Education program (concentration in School District Business Leader) are required to complete a total of 12 credits beyond the 24 credit SBL program. Students should take graduate level electives that align with the student’s career and program goals. Students should consult the graduate course listing at: http://www.strose.edu/academics/graduate-programs/courses/. Some electives are available on-line. All electives require prior consultation and approval from the College adviser. Students may also take the following on-campus electives to meet these elective requirements:

EDA 601	District Level Leadership & Mg	3
EDA 602	School Dis/Com Policy & Politi	3

d. Internship (6 Credits)

Students in the in the Master’s in Education program (concentration in School District Business Leader) must have completed a minimum of 18 credits at The College of Saint Rose before initiating the internship. Fingerprinting clearance from the New York State Department of Education is also required prior to initiating the internship. Fingerprinting information is available on the NYSED “TEACH” website: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/teach .

EDA 596	Sch Business Ldr Intern 1	3
EDA 597	Sch Business Ldr Intern 2	3

For those students not seeking certification in lieu of EDA 596 and EDA 597

EDA 586

Adv Fld Exp Ed Leadership

3-6

e. Required Workshops (0 Credits)

EDU 602	Violence Prevention	0
EDU 603	Child Abuse Prevention	0
EDU 611	Dignity For All Students	0

New York State Certification Test:

All students must successfully complete the written and performance components of the State assessment in School District Business Leadership in order to receive the New York State School District Business Leadership (SDBL) certificate.

Final Evaluation

The final evaluation of students is based on the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated competency in coursework;

2. Candidates are required to successfully complete the written and performance components of the State assessment in School District Business Leadership.

3. In accordance with New York State Education Law, the student will have completed a master’s degree and the student will have earned a total of 60 graduate hours inclusive of the master’s degree and the required program described above;

4. Demonstrated competency in research through satisfactory completion of the required research sequence;

5. Demonstrated competency in the internship placement;

6. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive examination or by writing a thesis, and

7. The student documents at least three years of approved teaching and/or administrative and/or pupil personnel experience in a school setting. (Note: Exceptions described below).

Professional Accreditation:

The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs are fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.

The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The specialized accrediting agencies noted below are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation: Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation.

Admissions and Financial Aid Information:

General Admission Information

Eligibility for admission to The College of Saint Rose graduate programs is typically based upon the following minimum requirements:

Submission of a completed application, a resume, and Statement of Purpose of approximately 300 words detailing the applicant’s goals for graduate study.
Evidence of the possession of a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution through submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary education.
Academic and professional qualifications for graduate study, as indicated by two letters of recommendation. The Communication Sciences & Disorders and School Psychology programs requirethree letters of recommendation.
A grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the undergraduate major.
Other admission criteria specified by academic programs such as submission writing samples, portfolios, test scores, and participation in interviews or admissions workshops.

Applicants to The College of Saint Rose are responsible for completing their applications by submitting all required components. Prospective students can access the online application and application instructions at www.strose.edu/gradapply.

See Graduate Admissions section for more information.

Financial Aid

The College of Saint Rose has long been committed to the premise that a quality education should be within the reach of qualified students. To this end, the College serves its student body through a comprehensive program of federal, state, and institutional financial aid. While the basic responsibility for financing education lies with the students and their families, scholarships, loans, and/or assistantships can supplement insufficient family resources. The amount of aid available through the College is limited and is awarded on the basis of academic merit. All financial assistance from the College is subject to adjustment if the recipients are later granted aid from other sources. Financial aid awards are contingent upon students’ maintaining good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress.

See Financial Aid section for more information.

Additional School District Business Leader Admission Information:

Candidates from teaching and non-teaching backgrounds may apply for admission to the School District Business Leader (SDBL) program. The following are admissions requirements for applicants.

Applicants from the teaching professions:

Submission of the completed graduate studies application packet from The College of Saint Rose;
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended;
Transcript review by program faculty for pre-requisite course work and experience (see below) for admission and/or for recommendation of certification upon program completion;
Verification of permanent or professional certification status, (Upon program faculty review, persons who have taught in private or parochial school settings for three or more years and are not certified to teach may still be accepted for admission if all other requirements are met.);
Verification of at least three years of approved teaching and/or administrative and/or pupil personnel experience in a school setting, (Exceptions to the three-year teaching requirement are made in special circumstances upon the recommendation of the educational leadership program faculty.);
At least two letters of recommendation, one from a school administrator which must attest to the individual’s good character and potential as a SDBL administrator, and one from a professional who is qualified to evaluate the applicant’s scholarship. It is expected that the school administrator who acts as a reference for the applicant will be willing to mentor the applicant throughout the applicant’s administrative program at The College of Saint Rose; and

Applicants from a non-teaching profession:

Submission of the completed graduate studies application packet from The College of Saint Rose;
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended;
Transcript review by program faculty for pre-requisite course work and experience (see below) for admission and/or for recommendation of certification upon program completion;
Verification, as judged by the program faculty, of three years of exemplary, relevant prior service in a leadership position of a high performing organization in a non-teaching field;
At least two letters of recommendation, one from their current organization’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or unit head, and one from their immediate supervisor; and

(Exceptions to the three-year teaching requirement are made in special circumstances upon the recommendation of the educational leadership program faculty.)

Review of applicants’ prior transcripts and application materials for both the certificate and master’s program will be conducted by Educational Leadership faculty. Deficiencies in pre-requisite course work and experience must be satisfied prior to the College’s recommending program completers for SDBL certification, and depending on the extent of deficiencies, may delay or preclude acceptance to the program. The competencies and course work to be assessed include:

Accounting course work (must be met for admission);
Finance and business course work (must be met for admission);
Finance and business experience (experience must be documented for admission);
Demonstrated knowledge through course work or experience of public education and educational issues (may be demonstrated within admissions essay and interview).

For more information regarding application and admission, please visit the web page: http://www.strose.edu/admissions/graduate-students/.