DOCTOR OF EDUCATION IN INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership

Marcia A. B. Delcourt, Graduate Coordinator, WH 317C	Phone: (203) 837-9121
	delcourtm@wcsu.edu
Therese Richardson, Department Secretary, WH 321	Phone: (203) 837-8510
	richardsont@wcsu.edu
Website	EdD Leadership

Faculty:

Marcia A. B. Delcourt, Coordinator, Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership and Co-Coordinator, Certificate in Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092); Tricia J. Stewart; Patricia Cosentino, Co-Coordinator, Certificate in Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092)

Accreditation

All university and associated programs are accredited through the New England commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Additionally, WCSU’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Instructional Leadership program is approved by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). The program to obtain a Certificate in Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement 092), available to students admitted to the Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership program, is accredited at the state level by the CSDE and nationally through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Both programs are aligned with the standards from the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) through the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) of the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA).

Program Overview: EdD in Instructional Leadership

The Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership at WCSU:

• Focuses on enriching the leadership practices of practitioners from a range of occupations through a commitment to individual and organizational growth.
• Prepares individuals from diverse backgrounds to acquire new knowledge, skills, and opportunities for administrative, policy, instructional, and research roles.
• Facilitates a collaborative learning environment focused on instructional leadership, assessment, policy, interpersonal skills and group processes, administrative management processes, ethics, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and social change, all while engaging in meaningful learning opportunities.
• Offers a 60-credit program that can be completed in 3 years.
• Provides an optional K-12 Certificate for Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092) in Connecticut. This certificate program, sponsored by WCSU, is a collaboration between WCSU and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), and requires a valid teaching certification and teaching experience.

Program Overview: Certificate in Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092)

The Certification in Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092) is available to current or former Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership candidates. This program is offered to candidates who have fulfilled the requirements of a planned program leading to administrative positions in a school district up to and including assistant/associate superintendent in the State of Connecticut. Graduates are eligible for roles such as department chair, curriculum coach or director, assistant principal, and principal. To receive the endorsement, all candidates must complete a planned program approved by the CSDE and receive a passing grade on the Connecticut Administrator’s Test (CAT).

WCSU’s state and nationally approved program is offered in collaboration with CCSU and is ONLY available for graduate students enrolled in WCSU’s Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership program. Please note: the terms “Certificate in Intermediate Administration and Supervision” and “092 Certificate” shall be used interchangeably.

Goals and Learning Outcomes: EdD in Instructional Leadership Program and 092 Certificate

Alignment of Learning Goals, Outcomes, and Courses

Learning Goals	Outcomes	Related Course:
Instructional Leadership	Institutional vision statement, a leadership plan, a policy analysis, culminating project/dissertation	ED 800 ED 803 ED 821
1. Understand and apply best practices in instruction, curriculum, assessment, and leadership (WCSU Learning Outcome- Curiosity and Intellectual Engagement)
Psychological Contexts of Education and Instructional Leadership	Curricula designed to address diversity across strengths, ability levels, and cultural backgrounds that also fosters creative growth, culminating project/dissertation	ED 804 ED 823
2. Implement instructional leadership as it relates to an individual’s cognitive and affective domains (WCSU Learning Outcome- Creative Thinking)
Social Contexts of Education and Instructional Leadership	Culminating project/dissertation Higher Order Thinking (HOT) investigation	ED 801 ED 805 ED 824
3. Serve as change agents and instructional leaders in a diverse, evolving society (WCSU Learning Outcome- Global Learning)
Collaboration and Communication	School/district improvement strategies and a professional development plan designed to address one or more aspects of an institution’s strategic plan, culminating project/dissertation, program evaluation stakeholder project	ED 820 ED 803
4. Demonstrate effective communication and facilitate collaboration with those they lead (WCSU Learning Outcome- Communication)
Inquiry/Research	Inquiry into the development of a culminating project/dissertation	ED 805 ED 806 ED 860 ED 861 ED 865 ED 866 ED 867 ED 882 ED 884
5. Base decisions on research and data as a basis of decision-making and organizational learning (WCSU Learning Outcome- Integrative Learning)
Technology	Culminating project/dissertation	ED 802
6. Utilize technology for leadership and learning

Note: Key assessment courses are underlined.

WCSU’s Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership program is founded on the belief that instructional leaders are found within all organizations to advance institutional learning and growth. Technology, training and educational growth organizational management, and assessment succeed only if they are supported, embraced, internalized, and actualized by members of the community. This program supports the talent, energy, and experience of individuals who are focused on being change agents for organizational advancement and a focus on the future including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Admission Requirements: EdD in Instructional Leadership Program

Application Checklist:

For additional information, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at (203) 837-8243.

Program information is available at our website: EdD Leadership

Applicants will be asked to submit:

__ 1. a completed application form 

__ 2. a one- to two-page résumé

__ 3. official transcripts from all colleges and universities you have attended; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all previous graduate course is required

__ 4. an essay

__ 5. two recommendations attesting to your professional educational qualifications and ability to complete a doctoral program. The official WCSU form must be used for the completion of all recommendations. (For those intending to complete the Certification in Intermediate Administration and Supervision, at least one of these recommendations should be completed by someone from the central administrative office in your school district.)

Please complete this recommendation form for each recommender.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all international students.

Upon acceptance, please submit, a completed immunization form (required before course registration): Health Form

Please note:

1. Admission to the program will be determined after a satisfactory interview with designated WCSU representatives from the Ed.D. admissions committee.
2. Please do not send any additional materials.
3. Admission to the Ed.D. Program in Instructional Leadership is competitive and based on being a well-rounded individual with leadership potential and a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
4. Cohorts consist of approximately 15 candidates.
5. Review of application materials is ongoing.
6. This program is based on a cohort model that accepts students annually each semester.

Admission Requirements: Certificate for Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092)

Marcia A. B. Delcourt, Ph.D., Co-Coordinator; Patricia Cosentino, Ed.D., Co-Coordinator

Admission to the #092 Endorsement occurs every two years. Application can only be made by consent of the coordinator for the Ed.D. in Instructional Leadership program and the Coordinator of the Educational Leadership certificate program.

The following requirements were set forth by the CSDE for completion of a program for a Certificate for Intermediate Administration and Supervision in Connecticut. These criteria must be met by all applicants:

1. a master’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited institution
2. evidence of five years of full-time educational experience in a PK-12 setting, upon application for the certification
3. completion of at least 36 semester hours (three credits) of a special education course
4. a state-approved planned program specific to school administration

 

For WCSU’s program, the entrance materials include the following information:

1. two recommendations, using a form with specific criteria and questions developed in conjunction with faculty at WCSU, CCSU, and local administrators. One recommendation needs to be completed by the candidate’s district superintendent or someone at the executive level of the school district (central office), and the second should be submitted by a supervisor of the applicant.
2. an application and leadership mini-portfolio needs to be completed by each applicant. The application will be assessed using a scoring rubric that incorporates knowledge, skills, and dispositions.
3. an interview, including an accompanying 4-point rating of target criteria, will be completed by all interviewers.

An admissions committee will minimally consist of the educational administration program coordinator, at least one other faculty member from the Ed.D. program, and a present or former local school administrator. All candidate materials will be reviewed by the admissions committee before entry to the program will be granted.

Admissions Policies

Graduate students in the Ed.D. program must complete the requirements for the degree within the six-year period immediately preceding the awarding of the degree. However, students may submit a Request for Extension to Complete a Graduate Program to extend the program completion time beyond the six-year limit.

Transfer of Credit

There are two opportunities to transfer credits to the EdD in Instructional Leadership program. Students who wish to use transfer credits upon entry to the program must make this request at the time of initial application to the university. Transfer of courses completed after a student is admitted to the graduate program must be approved in advance of registering for a course outside of WCSU by completing the transfer credit form.

The amount of graduate credit transferable into the doctoral degree program from other accredited institutions is limited to 25% of the total credits. Students must complete half the program (50% of the total credits) at WCSU (including, seminars, internships, culminating projects and/or comprehensive examination).

All transfer credits must represent satisfactory work (a grade of B or better) at the institution where the work was completed and must be in accordance with a planned program of study. Transfer credits older than 10 years are not accepted toward any graduate program at WCSU. Courses used to earn a degree are not transferrable to any graduate program at WCSU. Transfer credits are not included in a determination of cumulative GPA’s for graduate students at WCSU.

Academic Grading Policies

Students obtaining a grade of B- or lower will be required to retake the course to continue in the program.

Academic Planning

Each candidate must meet with the Ed.D. program coordinator to discuss the academic program and the doctoral advisement process. Course sequencing is predetermined, and all students participate in a cohort model to complete the program.

Data Management System License Requirement

All candidates who enter degree or certificate programs in Education and Educational Psychology at Western Connecticut State University are required to purchase a LiveText license before or during the first week of class. This data management system is part of WCSU’s assessment process and essential for continuous accreditation. All key assessments for courses must be uploaded to LiveText for a student to receive a grade for the designated courses. Information about purchasing the license will be included in an admissions letter. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Katherine Roe (roek@wcsu.edu), Department of Education and Educational Psychology Chair.

Course Sequence: Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership

A minimum of 60 semester hours is required for the Ed.D. degree, including the requirement for a culminating project. Course Descriptions

Year	Semester	Cr Hr	Activity/Course
1	August		Orientation
1	Fall	3	ED 800: Foundations of Instructional Leadership*
1	Fall	3	ED 865: Introduction to Research
1	Winter	3	ED 821: Leadership Theory, Assessment, and Development
1	Spring	3	ED 820: Topics in Curriculum and Instruction*
1	Spring	3	ED 804: Leadership in Learning and Cognition*
1	Summer Session II	3	ED 805: Program Evaluation*
2	Fall	3	ED 860: Quantitative Methods Applied to Educational Research
2	Fall	3	ED 806: Advanced Program Evaluation
2	Winter	3	ED 824: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Educational Organizations
2	Spring	3	ED 803: Educational Policy and Practice
2	Spring	3	ED 861: Qualitative Methods Applied to Educational Research
2	Summer Session I	3	ED 802: Leadership in Instructional Technology for Equity
2	Summer Session II	3	ED 801: Leadership in Collaborative Processes
3	Fall	3	ED 866: Applied Educational Research
3	Fall	3	ED 867 Readings and Research
3	Winter	3	ED 823: Models of Creative Thinking and Innovation
3	Spring	3	ED 991: Culminating Project /Dissertation 1
3	Spring	3	ED 992: Culminating Project/Dissertation 2
3	Summer	3	ED 993: Culminating Project/Dissertation 3
3	Summer	3	ED 994: Culminating Project/Dissertation 4
	Total	60

Note. *These courses also apply to the Certificate for Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement #092)

Course Sequence: Certificate for Intermediate Administration and Supervision (Endorsement 092) Course Sequence

The planned program for this certificate is a total of 24 semester hours. The recommending institution, WCSU, will offer 18 of these credits, including the internship. The remaining six credits will be offered through CCSU. The program is offered every other year.

Institution	Cr Hr	Courses
WCSU	3	ED 800: Foundations of Instructional Leadership*
WCSU	3	ED 804: Learning, Cognition, and Teaching*
WCSU	3	ED 820: Topics in Curriculum and Instruction*
WCSU	3	ED 805: Research and Evaluation in Education*
CCSU	3	EDL 618: Understanding the Political and Ethical Environment of School Leadership
CCSU	3	EDL 656: Leadership and Supervision in Teaching and Learning
WCSU	3	ED 660: Internship and Seminar in Educational Leadership: Theory, Research, and Practice I
WCSU	3	ED 665: Internship and Seminar in Educational Leadership: Theory, Research, and Practice II

Note: These courses are offered according to the EdD in Instructional Leadership course sequence.

Applicants must complete all courses in the certificate program with a grade of B or higher, submit all key assessments into the data management system, and pass the Connecticut Administrators Test (CAT). After completing the state paperwork, students are responsible for forwarding all materials to the 092 Coordinator and the WCSU Certification Officer. The Certification Officer will review these materials and, if satisfactory, will send them to the CSDE.