Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study & Master of Education in

Educational Leadership and Management

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study & Master of Education in Educational Leadership and ManagementFitchburg State University/National Institute for School Leadership (NISL)

THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMSince 2005 the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) executive development program has been implemented through cohort groups of Massachusetts public school educators and leaders as an administrative leadership program with a special focus on the principal. In fact, dozens of administrators across the state have been NISL trained in this program that is both supported and guided by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Fitchburg State University has a long and distinguished history in offering nationally recognized and accredited graduate programs in school leadership. Fitchburg State University offers a comprehensive program designed specifically for the NISL candidates who wish to pursue a graduate degree. The program has been developed in recognition of the rigorous coursework contained in the NISL program and its alignment with Fitchburg State University’s Educational Leadership and Management (EDLM) program objectives.

Candidates can apply for the MEd or CAGS degree and receive 16 EDLM graduate program credits for a reduced tuition.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSn Easy Access to graduate level courses

•NISLcoursesapplytoFitchburgStateUniversityMEdorCAGSprogramsinEducationalLeadership

•ThefourNISLcoursesofferedthroughFitchburgStateUniversityareclusteredandalignedtospecific NISL units.

•TheNISL/FitchburgStateUniversitycoursesprovideopportunitiestoapplylearningthroughrelevant school-based activities leading to graduate credit.

•TheOnlinecoursesofferedthroughFitchburgStateUniversityallowforflexibilityinscheduling

• NEW!

Graduates of the CAGS in Educational Leadership and Management can transfer 18 credits of their work into the Doctor of Arts in Leadership at Franklin Pierce University.

n Nationally recognized by the National Council on Teacher Accreditationn FitchburgStateseminarscomplementtheNISLprogramandfulfilldegreeand/orlicensurerequirements.n CompletionofthisinnovativedegreegrantinggraduateprogramguaranteesMassachusettsDOElicensure inPrincipalshiporSupervisor/Director.n Candidates who are accepted and enrolled in the M.Ed. or CAGS degree program may take the four NISL courses at a reduced cost as a portfolio option. n Reasonable Cost: Total tuition and fees for MEd or CAGS is $8,427.n Benefits of earning a CAGS or Master’s Degree

•Agraduatedegreeraisesthesalaryofmosteducatorsby$3000to$4000peryear.Usually,after2-21/2yearseducators will have paid for the degree through raises in salary.

•Professionalopportunitiesresultfromtheadvanceddegree.

•Theadministrativelicensurereceivedbytheeducatorisreciprocalwithmanyotherstates.n NISL courses count for 54% of the CAGS or MEd program at Fitchburg State University.

Plans of Study: Educational Leadership & Management Program

CAGS & MEd Licensure Options

NISL COURSESCourse1: NISL7000 World-ClassSchooling:VisionandGoals(PortfolioOption) 4credits

NISL9000 SeminarI(Supplementalcourserequiredfordegree)ONLINE 3credits

Course2: NISL7500 FocusonTeachingandLearning(PortfolioOption) 4credits

Course3: NISL8000 DevelopingCapacityandCommitment(PortfolioOption) 4credits

NISL9500 SeminarII(Supplementalcourserequiredfordegree)ONLINE 2 credits

Course4: NISL8500 DrivingforResults(PortfolioOption) 4credits

Subtotal: 21 credits

EDLM COURSES* (ADDITIONAL FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY COURSES REQUIRED FOR DEGREE)

EDLM8010 HumanResourcesandPersonnelAdministration 3credits

EDLM8020 LawfortheEducator 3credits

EDLM8030 PublicSchoolFinance 3credits

EDLM9020 CollegialSupervision 3credits

EDLM9101/9110 Practicum/Internship(SchoolPrincipalorSupervisor/Director) 6credits

Comprehensive Exam 0 credits

Subtotal: 18 credits Total for Degree: 39 credits

CAGS & MEd Non-licensure Options

NISL COURSESCourse1: NISL7000 World-ClassSchooling:VisionandGoals(PortfolioOption) 4credits

NISL9000 SeminarI(Supplementalcourserequiredfordegree)ONLINE 3credits

Course2: NISL7500 FocusonTeachingandLearning(PortfolioOption) 4credits

Course3: NISL8000 DevelopingCapacityandCommitment(PortfolioOption) 4credits

NISL9500 SeminarII(Supplementalcourserequiredfordegree)ONLINE 2 credits

Course4: NISL8500 DrivingforResults(PortfolioOption) 4credits

Subtotal: 21 credits

EDLM COURSES* (ADDITIONAL FITCHBURG STATE UNIVERSITY COURSES REQUIRED FOR DEGREE)

EDLM8010 HumanResourcesandPersonnelAdministration 3credits

EDLM8020 LawfortheEducator 3credits

EDLM8030 PublicSchoolFinance 3credits

EDLM9020 CollegialSupervision 3credits

Electives 6 credits

Subtotal: 18 credits Total for the degree: 39 credits

Non-Degree Option (not eligible for portfolio option)

NISL COURSES ONLY

Course 1: NISL 7000 World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals ONLINE ................................................................. 4 credits

Course 2: NISL 7500 Focus on Teaching and Learning ONLINE.............................................................................. 4 credits

Course3: NISL8000 DevelopingCapacityandCommitmentONLINE ................................................................... 4 credits

Course 4: NISL 8500 Driving for Results ONLINE .................................................................................................... 4 credits Total: 16 credits

Program Costs: FitchburgStateUniversity/NISLPartnershipProgram

Degree Non-degree

PHASE ONE candidates candidates

Course 1: World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals (NISL 7000), 4 credits ........................... $460 ....................$750

Seminar I (NISL 9000),3credits(for students pursuing CAGS or MEd) ......................................$867

During NISL course 1, students pursuing a degree through the Fitchburg State University EDLM program register for both NISL 7000—World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals, and NISL 9000—Seminar I.

Course 2: Focus on Teaching and Learning (NISL 7500), 4 credits ......................................... $460 ....................$750

PHASE TWOCourse3: Developing Capacity and Commitment (NISL 8000), 4 credits .............................. $460 ....................$750

Seminar II (NISL 9500), 2 credits (for students pursuing CAGS or MEd) .....................................$578

AtthebeginningofPhaseTwo,Course3,studentspursuingadegreethrough the Fitchburg State University EDLM program register for both NISL 8000— Developing Capacity and Commitment, and NISL 9500—Seminar II.

Course 4: Driving for Results (NISL 8500), 4 credits ................................................................. $460 ....................$750

Total cost for 21 credits earned through NISL Partnership ................................................................$3,285

Total cost for 18 credits earned for additional courses through Fitchburg State University ...........$5,202

TotalcostforDegree(39credits) .......................................................................................................$8,427

Total cost for 16 credits earned through NISL courses ..................................................................................................$3,000

PRE-REQUISITESFitchburg State University Course Prerequisite NISL Course/Unit

Course 1 NISL 7000 Completion of Unit 4 Foundations of Effective Learning

Course 2 NISL 7500 Completion of Unit 8 Promoting Professional Learning

Course3NISL8000 CompletionofUnit10 PrincipalasEthicalLeader

Course 4 NISL 8500 Completion of Unit 12 Leading for Results

Tuition and fees subject to change.

Admission Application Requirements

To apply for the CAGS or MEd in Educational Leadership & Management Programs applicants are required to submit:

n Graduate application for admission.

n Non-refundable application fee of $25 for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Do not send cash. Please print your first and last name on the check or money order.

n Officialtranscriptfromyourbaccalaureatedegreegrantingcollege/university.Thetranscriptmustindicatedegreereceivedanddateofgraduation.ThetranscriptmustbesentdirectlyfromtheinstitutiontotheAdmissionsOffice.ApplicantstotheCAGSprogramarenotrequiredtosubmitatranscriptfromthebaccalaureatedegreegrantingcollege/universitybutmustsubmitatranscriptfromthemaster’sdegreegrantinginstitution.

n Officialtranscriptsfromallgraduateprogramsfromwhichyouarerequestingtransfercreditand,ifapplicable,allinstitutions from which you have received graduate degrees. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution totheAdmissionsOffice.

n StandardizedTestScores.TheMEdinEducationalLeadership&ManagementProgramrequirestheofficialresultsfrom either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller’s Analogies Test (MAT). Test scores are not requiredforthoseseekingasecondmaster’sdegree.

n TestscoresarenotrequiredforapplicantstotheCAGSinEducationalLeadershipandManagement.

n Three letters of recommendation from individuals under whom the applicant has studied or under whose supervision they have worked in a professional capacity. Please use the Letter of Recommendation forms provided in the Graduate Application booklet. Submit the narrative portion of the recommendation on institutional letterhead. All lettersofrecommendationmustbemailedbytheauthordirectlytotheAdmissionsOffice.

n A professional resume.

n Anessay,nomorethanonepageinlength,inresponsetooneofthefollowingquestions:

b Tell us about a positive situation in which you helped a person and made a significant difference in that person’s life.

b What are the most important factors in establishing a long-term working relationship with students, friends, etc.?

b Tell us about a significant event that involved you in a teaching or helping mode. • Describethesituationasitoccurredatthetime. • Whatdidyoudointhatparticularsituation? • Howdidyoufeelaboutthesituationatthetimeyouwereexperiencingit? • Howdoyoufeelaboutthesituationnow? • Whatwouldyouchange,ifanything?

IMPORTANT:IfyouareapplyingtothelicensuretrackoftheCAGSorMEdinEducationalLeadershipDegreeProgramsthatleadstoaMassachusettsTeachingLicenseyouarerequiredtosubmitthefollowingdocument:

n Passing scores for the Communications and Literacy subtests of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL)arerequiredforallapplicantstograduateandcertificateprogramsleadingtoinitiallicensuretoteachinthestateofMassachusetts.MTELCommunicationsandLiteracyresultsarealsorequiredofallapplicantstotheCAGSEducationalLeadershipandManagement:SchoolPrincipalorSupervisor/Director.Note: Subject area MTEL test(s) must be completed prior to student teaching.

The application, fee and other requested materials should be sent to: OfficeofAdmissions,FitchburgStateUniversity,160PearlStreet,Fitchburg,MA01420-2697

Admissions Office Hours and Contact Information MondaythroughThursday8a.m.to6:30p.m.,andFriday8a.m.to5p.m.

Ifyouhavequestionsandwouldliketospeaktoarepresentative,pleasecontact(978)665-3144 or e-mail, gceadmissions@fitchburgstate.edu.

Financial Aid Information Students enrolled in a minimum of five graduate credits per semester and who have been formally admitted to

theUniversitybytheOfficeofAdmissionsareeligibletoapplyforfederalstudentloans.Federalstudentloansprovidealowinterestfinancingoptionforthosewhoqualify.InterestedstudentsshouldcompletetheFAFSAat www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information, please visit the Financial Aid webpage at www.fitchburgstate.edu/finaid orcontacttheofficedirectlyat(978)665-3156orfinaid@fitchburgstate.edu .

Course Enrollment

NISL participants interested in earning credit through Fitchburg State University will be provided information regarding registeringforcourses.PleasecompletetheNISL/FitchburgStateUniversityPotentialStudentInformationSheettoindicate your interest in enrolling for graduate credit and you will be contacted by a NISL advisor regarding registration. Courseswillbeofferedthreetimeseachyeargivingstudentsmaximumflexibility.Studentswillnotberequiredtoregisterfor all courses during the same enrollment period.

ForyourconvenienceallFitchburgStateUniversitysupplementalNISLcoursesareofferedonline.Onceyouhaveofficiallyregisteredforyourfirstcourse,youwillbeeligibletoaccessyouronlinecourse.AllstudentsarerequiredtoobtainaFitchburg State University e-mail account and password for access to their online course. To obtain your email account and password,contacttheInformationTechnologyServiceCenterDeskat978-665-4500.Staffisavailable24/7toassistyou.Onceyouareregisteredandhaveobtainedyourcourseaccesspassword,youcanfindyourcoursebygoingto http://blackboard.fitchburgstate.edu.

Students are encouraged to visit our demonstration course at www.fitchburgstate.edu/demo/. This course will help you become familiar with using Blackboard, the online learning management system that hosts all of the universities online courses.Completedetailsregardinggettingreadytotakeanonlinecourseincludinghardwareandsoftwarerequirementscan be found at www.fitchburgstate.edu/distance. We strongly encourage you to review this web page before beginning your courses.

Foradditionalinformationregardingregistrationforcourses,pleasecontacttheRegistrar’sOfficeat978-665-4196.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I transfer graduate credit I received beyond my MEd degree towards the CAGS? Yes, you may transfer up to 12 credits into a graduate program at Fitchburg State University. Six of these credits can

be from another accredited institution or you may transfer as many as 12 credits taken at Fitchburg State University. It is important to note that a graduate program must be completed within a six year period, so courses that will extend your degree period beyond the six year limit cannot apply. Transfer courses must be approved by the program chair. Anofficialtranscriptandcoursesyllabusisrequiredtoascertainthatthecoursemeetstheprogramstandards.

2. I am currently enrolled in a traditional EDLM CAGS program at the university. Can I transfer my NISL credit towards this CAGS program?

Yes, you may transfer to the NISL CAGS only with the approval of the Chair of the Educational Leadership program. Those EDLM degree candidates who wish to transfer to the NISL EDLM degree program should fill out the Student Petition Form, which can be found on the university website (www.fitchburgstate.edu/uploads/files/Registrar/studentpetitionfsu.pdf) stating “I wish to change my status in the Educational Leadership program to the NISL Educational Leadership program” and return it to the Chair at Fitchburg State University. Similarly, if currently enrolled in a Master’s Educational Leadership and Management (EDLM) program at Fitchburg State University, you may apply NISL credits towards the that degree with approval of the program Chair.

3. How many hours (time commitment) outside of the NISL cohort work are required for each NISL course? How many hours for each seminar?

For the online NISL courses (Courses 1-4) each course takes approximately 6-12 hours of work. The time needed depends on the amount of time which has lapsed between the face-to-face NISL work and the Fitchburg State University online work. If the courses are done concurrently with the cohort work, each Fitchburg State University NISL course should not requiremorethan6-8hoursofadditionalworktoreceivethefourcredits.Iftimehaslapsedandparticipantsneedtoreacquaintthemselveswiththecontent,itwilltakecloserto12hours.Someadministratorsmaybealreadydoingworkintheirschoolsthatwillfulfilltherequirementsand,therefore,reducetheadditionaltime.

Seminar1:(3credits)andSeminar2:(2credits)areclosertothenumberofhoursonewouldexpectfroma2or3creditgraduatecourse.ThetwoseminarcoursesincludeEDLMpre-practicumrequirementsandexperiencesforcurriculum,community relations, and action research (25 hours each).

4. How long will it take to complete the Master’s or CAGS degree program at Fitchburg State? The online NISL courses are scheduled to be offered in trimesters. Seminar I and II are usually taken in conjunction with

NISLCourse1andNISLCourse3respectively.Thetwoseminarswouldbeofferedineitherthefallorspringsemesters.So,attainingthefirst21creditstowardstherequired39creditsforthedegreecouldbecompletedinasfewasthreesemesters. The other online EDLM degree courses that are scheduled to be offered at least once per year should enable the completion of the remaining 18 credits in five semesters, which includes a 6 credit practicum (or alternative course electives for those who already hold an administrator’s license). Therefore, it is possible to complete a degree program in three and a half years. Enrolling in summer courses could allow for completion of the degree in less time. Participants who wish to take courses in the summer may take courses with one of our Extended Campus Partners (www.fitchburgstate.edu/extended) upon approval of the Program Chair.

5. I am not a school principal and do not have easy access to faculty, classrooms, and students. Will this prevent me from completing any of the NISL requirements?

TheFitchburgStateUniversityfacultyrecommendsthatwhenonlineNISLcourserequirementsfocusonschool-basedactivities, non-building leaders partner with a school principal, whenever possible. The Fitchburg State adjunct faculty for the NISL MEd and CAGS are familiar with these circumstances and will allow alternative activities suitable to the leadership role to be arranged on an individual basis. However, all activities must stay within the NISL content which is designed as a program for the executive development of school principals.

6. If candidates need a Masters in their content area, would enrollment in the ELDM masters have any benefit? CandidateswhoarerequiredtoobtainaMaster’sdegreeorwhoarepursuinganalternaterouteforprofessionalstatus

in their content area may refer to the university website www.fitchburgstate.edu/edunit or consult with Ann Hogan at Fitchburg State University ahogan@fitchburgstate.edu.

7. I am almost finished in my NISL cohort. Which course should I register for first? NISL courses are based on applied leadership activities. Therefore, in deciding which course to register for, the

individual should consider the work most essential to or currently underway in one’s district, school, or program. Otherwise,candidatesnearingtheendoftheircohortworkmayenrollinanyoftheNISLcourses.Candidatesatthebeginningoftheircohortworkmustcompletetheprerequisiteslistedinthisbrochure.

8. How do I enroll in a NISL online EDLM degree program? Candidates who wish to enroll in a degree program can access the application forms online at

www.fitchburgstate.edu/admissions/applying/graduate.

9. I do not wish to enroll in a degree program at this time, but I am interested in taking online courses for graduate credit in Educational Leadership courses. How do I enroll in the online courses?

Educators wishing to enroll in a course may access the course registration form at www.fitchburgstate.edu/uploads/files/Registrar/RegistrationGCEFSU.pdf. Prior to the start of the course, the university will notify you regarding instructions to access your online courses.

Contact

For more information regarding the CAGS or the MEd in Educational Leadership and Management Fitchburg State University/NISLPartnershipProgram,contacttheGCEAdvisorat(978)665-3660ore-mailgceadvisor@fitchburgstate.edu.