Nov 21, 2024  
2023-2024 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
2023-2024 SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Charter School Leadership Certificate


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Program Description

This program focuses on the unique leadership and instructional needs of aspiring and current directors, heads of schools, principals, and other professionals responsible for the management and leadership of successful charter schools. Learners in this program develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to create and manage learning and working environments that value diversity, instructional leadership, ethical decision-making, responsible stewardship of resources, and reflective practice aligned with the mission and context of charter schools. Learners also acquire skills needed to work with and be held accountable to a charter school authorizers.

Program Outcomes

  1. Equip candidates with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions necessary to serve as educational leaders with emphasis on the special needs of a charter school environment.
  2. Demonstrate professional, reflective, ethical, collaborative, and intentional leadership practices.
  3. Articulate a charter school vision and mission that identifies unique program features and appeals to a diverse, heterogenous student population and school community, and uses it to drive decision making.
  4. Develop a course of action regarding the financial, human/material resource, and operational aspects of charter school leadership.
  5. Apply leadership skills around fundamental aspects of charter school operations through creation and implementation of necessary policies and procedures.
  6. Create assessment and accountability measures that critically evaluate school structures, systems, and curriculum ensuring alignment with school vision and mission and demonstrate program success to all stakeholders, including MDE and school authorizers.
  7. Exhibit practical moral wisdom, necessary character traits, and ethical behavior consistently to multiple leadership contexts.

Program Structure and Delivery

The Charter School Leadership Certificate is delivered in remote delivery model.

Certificate Requirements


Options for Certificate to be used for Degree Completion


For those students seeking to use this certificate toward a full master’s degree, see the following options:

  • M.A. in Education  – up to 15 credits.
    • CHSL 615 Teaching and Learning: Curriculum, Assessment and School Culture would be acceptable as transfer for EDMA620 Curriculum Design.
  • At the discretion of the EDS program administration, students who complete the Charter School Leadership courses may be considered for credit transfer into the EDS program.

Faculty


The faculty members for this program have earned doctorate or master’s degrees. Faculty are selected for their combination of educational and professional experience and expertise.

Admission Requirements


Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree programs at any time during the year. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants must demonstrate the language proficiency necessary for successful graduate coursework. Applicants may complete an interview with a program administrator as part of the admission process.

Application Process


Applicants must submit the following:

  1. Completed application form with the nonrefundable application fee (fee not required for alumni or students seeking readmission or veterans and active military personnel), and
  2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution. Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, or One Earth International Credential Evaluators and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards).  Evaluations from an approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) will also be accepted.
  3. A reflective essay which includes the following:
    1. brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience; and
    2. statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and their reasons for seeking admission to the program; and
    3. description of the areas the applicant considers to be their strengths and areas in which the applicant wishes to develop greater strengths and abilities; and
    4. personal information the applicant wishes to share.
  4. Letter(s) of recommendation that verify professional and/or volunteer experience and academic ability; and
  5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.
  6. Applicants with international transcripts may require an English language proficiency exam (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or MELAB accepted.)

Please Note: Application materials should be sent to the attention of the Office of Admission on the Twin Cities Campus.
 

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Office of Admission
2500 Park Ave S
Minneapolis, MN  55404

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