CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAMS
(C.A.G.S.)

FACULTY
Dean of Education.	James Martin-Rehrmann, Ph.D.
Department Coordinator:	Marcia Horne, Ed.D.
Department Office:	333 Western Avenue
Department Telephone:	(413) 572-5315
Graduate Advisor:
	Gerald Corradino, M.Ed.
Graduate Faculty:
	Leonard Basile, C.A.G.S.	Trudy Knowles, Ed.D.
	Sandra Berkowitz, Ph.D.	Sue Liebowitz, Ph.D.
	Sheila Conroy, C.A.G.S.	Gregory Little, Ed.D.
	Gerald Corradino, C.A.G.S.	James Martin-Rehrmann, Ph.D.
	George Counter, M.Ed.	Peter Mazza, J.D.
	Mary Curro, M.Ed.	Thomas Y. McDowell, Ed.D.
	Joseph Dupelle, Ed.D.	Jane Nagle, Ed.D.
	Howard Eberwein, Ed.D.	Joseph Nowicki, Ed.D.
	Marilyn Ettman, C.A.G.S.	Lynn Palmer, M.A.
	Joseph Flahive, M.A.	David Raker, Ed.D.
	Jillayne Flanders, Ed.D.	Gary Roberts, C.A.G.S.
	Richard Frank, Ed.D.	James Shiminski, Ed.D.
	Bruce Gordon, Ed.D.	Cheryl Stanley, Ed.D.
	Martin Henley, Ph.D.	James Stucenski, M.Ed.
	Joan Heywood, Ph.D.	Marion Templeton, Ed.D.
	Nitza Hidalgo, Ed.D.	Signia Warner, Ed.D.
	Donna Hogan, Ed.D.	John J. Welch, Ed.D.
	Marcia Horne, Ed.D.	Irene Zielinski, Ed.D.

 

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

Programs leading to the Certificate of Advance Graduate Study (C.A.G.S.) are available to educators seeking an opportunity to qualify for leadership positions in Special Education, Curriculum, and Administrative career fields. The program is designed for both full-time and part-time study. It is structured to meet the needs of working professionals, as well as to prepare the qualified full-time student for a leadership position.

Admission

Admission procedures for the Certificate of Advance Graduate Study are the same as those of the Master's Degree with the exception of the standardized examination requirement. The Miller Analogies Test or the Graduate Records Examination is not required for application into a C.A.G.S. program.

Academic Policies

The C.A.G.S. program consists of a program of thirty-three (33) semester hours of approved graduate study beyond the completion of the Master's degree. All courses in the C.A.G.S. must be at the "600" level. Courses previously completed for a master's degree may not be repeated for C.A.G.S. credit. Transfer of credit-courses taken beyond the Master's degree at accredited colleges and universities (maximum of six (6) semester hours) may be included in the C.A.G.S. program of study, if approved by the advisor. Advanced Standing Graduate courses (600 level) taken beyond the Master's Degree at Westfield State College may be submitted for evaluation.

The Research Based Field Experience which carries six (6) semester hours of credit is intended as the culminating activity which provides an opportunity to demonstrate expertise in analyzing and solving a significant project in the student's field. The Research Based Field Experience (description follows) is the culminating experience of a student's Certificate of Advanced Study program and replaces the Comprehensive Examination.

Academic Advising

Upon admission into a C.A.G.S. program, each student is required to prepare a program of study with his/her advisor. The study program will include:

1. Prerequisites which the area of concentration may require;
2. Required core courses;
3. A planned program of courses necessary for competency in the field of concentration;
4. Elective courses.

The program of study must have student and advisor signatures. The Coordinator of Graduate Records will circulate the program of study for the signature of the department chair and graduate dean. The original will then be placed in your file, a copy sent to your advisor and the third copy sent to you.

The signed Program of Study form must be on file within your first semester of study after acceptance. Advance approval from your advisor is required for any and all changes to the Program of Study and must be in writing. These approved changes must then be filed with the Graduate Office. Advisors are not responsible for their advisees meeting Graduate School regulations and deadlines. You are personally responsible for knowing all college rules and regulations, as well as your program requirements.

RESEARCH BASED FIELD EXPERIENCE
(or Research Based Internship)

This culminating experience is intended for experienced educators who have completed at least l8 semester hours of the C.A.G.S. Program. With the approval of the advisor, the student develops a significant problem for research and study. The student makes a careful study of the problem and prepares a two-part paper on the problem. Part one of the paper is a discussion of the problem with emphasis on probable causes and effective approaches for control or solution. Part two is a proposal for applying the recommended methods in an actual school setting.

Thus, the field experience is chosen to provide a testing ground for the research on the problem. The field experience takes place in a real school situation where the problem exists. Of course, the full cooperation of the school administration and faculty is essential. To be successful, the field experience must be perceived as beneficial to all concerned -- the school, the faculty, the administration as well as the C.A.G.S. student.

The student is expected to consult the advisor while engaged in the field experience. The student will prepare a written report and is required to provide bound copies of the preliminary study and field experience for each of the following: Westfield State College Department of Education, Office of the Graduate Dean, Westfield State College Library, and the school where the field experience took place.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Completion of at least 18 s.h. of coursework for the concentration prior to beginning the study;
2. Submission and approval of the proposed experience on the “Application and Approval” form available in the Graduate Studies Office;
3. Completion of the experience in not more than two semesters.

C.A.G.S. SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

INITIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE

This program is designed to assist professional educators in the acquisition of Massachusetts Administrator Competencies in the leadership, school management, professional development and equity standards required by the Regulations for the Licensure of Educational Personnel.

Prerequisites:

1. Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. Possession of at least an initial license in another educational role;
3. Completion of three years of school-based employment in a role in which the candidate holds a certificate
                                                  or
   three years of equivalent employment in an alternative instructional setting;
4. An introductory course in Special Education;
5. An introductory course in Educational Measurement or Computer Applications;
6. Passing score on the MTEL Communication and Literacy skills test is required for those seeking Licensure as a School Principal at any level.

Core Requirements: (21 s.h.)

EDUC 0604 The School Principal (10 hrs. of field based experience) EDUC 0608 Educational Finance EDUC 0621 Supervision in the Schools (20 hrs. of field based experience) EDUC 0630 School-Community Relations (15 hrs. of field based experience) EDUC 0633 Social Cultural Theories: Foundations of Education EDUC 0635 Laboratory in Program Assessment and Design EDUC 0636 School Legal Theories and Practices Specific Requirements: (6 s.h.)

1. Option: Elementary School Principal (PreK-6)
   1. EDUC 0612 Organization & Administration of Elementary Schools (15 hrs. of F.B.E.)
   2. EDUC 0629 Experiential Curriculum Development Workshop: Elementary (15 hrs. of F.B.E.)
2. Option: Middle School Principal (5-8)
   1. EDUC 0611 Organization & Administration of Middle Schools (15 hrs. of F.B.E.)
   2. EDUC 0681 Experiential Curriculum Development Workshop: Middle School (15 hrs. of F.B.E.)
3. Option: Secondary School Principal (9-12)
   1. EDUC 0613 Organization & Administration of Secondary Schools (15 hrs. of F.B.E.)
   2. EDUC 0682 Experiential Curriculum Development Workshop: Secondary (15 hrs. of F.B.E.)

Practica or internship at the appropriate level for the licensure sought: (6 s.h.)
EDUC 0637 Practicum or EDUC 0616 Internship: Elementary School Principal (PreK-6)
EDUC 0638 Practicum or EDUC 0617 Internship: Middle School Principal (5-8)
EDUC 0639 Practicum or EDUC 0609 Internship: Secondary School Principal (9-12)
*Approval required for placement in Practicum
Deadline to apply: Fall semester - April 1
Spring semester - November 1

Requirements for C.A.G.S. and Initial Certification: 33 s.h.

 

C.A.G.S.
CONCENTRATION IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

The demands of the typical public school system and its administration require competencies in management of personnel, fiscal affairs, and other resources as well as leadership and interpersonal relations skills in a variety of areas. Knowledge to support the manager's competence must be current in the rapidly changing school world. This program is designed to offer the administrator courses and other experiences that will equip her/him with the skills and competencies necessary for an effective educational administrator. This certificate does not lead to licensure and is only appropriate for those holding a certification in Educational Administration under the Massachusetts Regulations for Professional Licensure which became effective October 1, 1994, or a full certification from another state. A program of study must be designed with an advisor upon matriculation.

Prerequisites:

1. Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
2. A certification in Educational Administration.

Requirements:

1. Core requirement: EDUC 0663 Introduction to Educational Administration
2. At least 18 semester hours in Educational Administration
3. Six (6) semester hours in an area to support the major (all courses must be at the 600-level)
4. EDUC 0695 Research Based Field Experience (6 s.h.)

Requirements for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study: 33 s.h.

C.A.G.S.
CONCENTRATION IN OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION

Offered only in Administration
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Occupational Education provides a selection of courses and experiences for students who are interested in advanced knowledge and skills, and other competencies needed to function effectively in educational leadership positions. The courses focus on the needs, backgrounds, and interests of participants with an opportunity for specialization in educational administration.

Requirements:

1. Twenty-one hours in Educational Administration
   All courses must be at the 600-level
                                    Plus
2. Six semester hours in support of the major (Occupational/vocational concentration)
                                    Plus
   
3. EDUC 0695 Research Based Field Experience (6 semester hours)

Requirements for C.A.G.S. Degree: 33 s.h.

This program does not necessarily lead to certification.