Program Overview

The Department of Educational Leadership in the School of Education produced generations of educational leaders for American schools and school districts. The department embraces the mission and core goals of the University and the School of Education, seeking to prepare leaders for diverse schools and communities, with special emphasis on urban centers. The department offers a comprehensive focus on leadership theories validated through a performance-based curriculum, with special emphasis on problem identification through use of various tools of research; on information and data analysis; on generating alternative strategies for addressing the strategic problems identified through this process; and on application of those strategies in the field through supervised performance-based practica or residency. The ultimate goal is to improve the academic performance of P-12 students at all levels within the school structure to meet contemporary standards. The department employs faculty with a blend of educational training and experience necessary to meet the high standards of the School of Education and the department.

The department offers graduate degrees in educational leadership and supervision, principally for P-12 schools, at the master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels. The master’s degree program requires 30 semester hours; the specialist degree program requires 30 hours of coursework at the 600 level; and the doctoral program requires 60 semester hours beyond the master’s degree level.  Each of these programs is comprised of a planned program driven by strong content and focuses on developing and refining critical skills, and on identifying and enhancing dispositions that are imbedded in national and state standards, especially CAEP, ELCC, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC). Students must satisfy all requirements and standards, including course work with no grade lower than B; field experience or residency requirements; and written comprehensive examinations. Doctoral students must prepare and present a dissertation prospectus to faculty approval, and finally, must develop and defend a scholarly dissertation.

Applicants must meet the basic admissions standards set by the University as well as those that might be unique to the School of Education and/or the Department of Educational Leadership.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Educational Leadership is to prepare candidates with knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to serve as transformative leaders to improve academic outcomes of students in diverse schools and communities locally, nationally, and internationally.

Vision

The Department of Educational Leadership will prepare candidates for leadership, research, and consultative service to school districts at the building and district levels and to other educational institutions in accord with standards and guidelines approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).


Revised and Approved by the Strategic Planning Oversight Committee 3.10.11
 

Programs in Educational Leadership

The Educational Leadership program at Clark Atlanta University enjoys a highly regarded tradition of preparing leaders for urban educational systems, and, in recent years, has been recognized as one of the leading institutions for awarding doctorates in education to African Americans. Its programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Additionally, its programs are approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GAPSC).

NOTE: Graduates of this program are eligible to pursue Tier I educational leadership certification in the state of Georgia and principal’s licensure in the state of Indiana.   Program Advisors will meet with students each semester to review processes and options for earning professional licenses in the state in which they reside. Additionally, our designated CAU SOE Certification Officer will conduct workshops each semester related to state certification/licensure procedures and protocols.