ANSWERS TO FAQS ABOUT THE PATHWAY PROGRAM TO

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION

WHAT:

MDE certifies individuals who have completed an approved certification program, not by credit accumulation. The Program does not accept prior degree credits or transfer credits. An MA degree in an education field is required to be eligible for enrollment.

Educators without an MA degree may earn certification through completion of the MA in K-12 Educational Administration degree.

PROGRAM

The Pathway Program involves the following courses. To see the schedule of courses listed, see http://schedule.msu.edu/

EAD 806
3-credits / The Evolving Practice of School Leaders
EAD 811
3-credits / Inquiry and Analysis of Teaching and Learning
EAD 812
3-credits / Inquiry and Analysis of School Organizations
EAD 822
3 credits / Engaging Diverse Students & Families
EAD 853
3 credits / Educational Finance and Resource Allocation
EAD 852
3 credits / Principalship
EAD 820
3 credits / School Leadership Internship (register Fall, stretches across Fall and Spring)
*The School Leadership Internship is waived for students with 1 or more years of full time school administrator experience.

HOW, WHERE

The Program is delivered through a hybrid format that brings students to campus one or two times per month. It is offered in 3 central and southeast Michigan locations: East Lansing, Birmingham and Detroit. We do not offer an all online option.

WHEN

We enroll most students summer (=May) and fall (=late August). Winter (January) admissions occur but do not always present the most efficient schedule for applicants. To see the schedule of Certification Program Courses listed on the Certification web link above, see http://schedule.msu.edu/

TO APPLY

Candidates who wish to apply to the program should contact .

Application materials include: a professional resume, official transcripts of all earned degrees, an academic statement, a personal statement and letters of recommendation.

COSTS

To calculate costs visit the Student Account’s Tuition and Fees Calculator at http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/COStudentAccounts/TuitionCalculatorFall.aspx.

FINANCIAL AID

Currently, federal laws restrict access to financial aid for non-degree certification coursework. We hope this will change.

TRANSFER OF PATHWAY CREDITS TO FUTURE DEGREES

Credits from the Pathway program are not transferable to our Ed.D or Ph.D program. Educators who are considering a doctoral degree in the near future should speak with a program advisor before beginning the Pathway Program

If you have further questions, please send them along to Professor BetsAnn Smith at

Take care,

BetsAnn Smith Associate Professor
Educational Administration
409 Erickson Hall
Michigan State University
E. Lansing MI 48824
517-353-8646