Leadership, Ethics, and Change

The Leadership, Ethics & Change Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study is a 15-credit online program for professional educators who are pursuing school administrator positions. The certificate program includes one 15-week internship experience and one 8-week internship experience. Both internships are field-based experiences.

The Leadership, Ethics & Change certificate program focuses on providing a thorough foundation in educational leadership theory, principles, and practices. Participants address the current state of the educational system and progress into educational change, and school reform. The responsibilities and ethics involved with educational leadership are explored. The relationship between school, administrators, and the community is examined. Special focus is paid to the skills needed to instruct, inspire and lead fellow teachers and administrators. Team building, decision-making, and motivational techniques are also discussed. These skills are acquired through coursework and two separate field-based experiences.

The goals of the CAGS program are to prepare students to:

• Administer schools in a humanistic, caring manner.
• Instill a sense of responsibility and ethical decision-making.
• Meet the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium Standards (ISLLC) to enable school educators to obtain administrative certification nationwide. The six ISLLC standards state that a school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by:

1. Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
2. Advocating, nurturing and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
3. Ensuring management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
4. Collaborating with faculty, families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs and mobilizing community resources.
5. Acting with integrity and in an ethical manner.
6. Understanding, responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.

The CAGS program is approved by the Maine State Board of Education. All programs at the University of New England are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). 

Requirements for admission  

·         A Master's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent.

·         Have a minimum of three years' teaching experience in an accredited public or private school.

·         Current employment in an educational setting where you have regular access to an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.

·         Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web.

^·          Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection, with the hardware and software requirements described on the CAGS website^. 

Additional prerequisites to participate in the Educational Leadership Program include:

·         A sincere interest in continuing professional development as an educational leader.

·         The potential to improve practice through application of new knowledge and skills.

·         The ability to pursue challenging online graduate study.

·         Ability to be a positive change agent, maintaining professional ethics and supportive management strategies.

·         Experience in a leadership capacity (i.e. team leader, committee chair, department leader, subject-matter coordinator or other relevant leadership role in an educational setting).

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through UNE’s online application only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Applications are reviewed by the Program Admissions Committee using the following criteria for evaluating your personal goal statement and letters of recommendation:
  • Indications of leadership potential
  • Indications of a desire for professional improvement and growth
  • Writing conveys excitement of learning and leading
  • Evidence of compatibility with the distance-learning format
  • Writing is organized, cohesive, and cogent
  • Evidence that the applicant is willing to apply new ideas and techniques
• Official transcripts for all colleges and universities attended, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the Office of Online Worldwide Learning, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Students are admitted to the CAGS program six (6) times a year: Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See International Admissions.
• All applicants to UNE must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  UNE accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions.  English Proficiency requirement must be completed at the time of application
• Re-admission
  • Students who have withdrawn from the CAGS program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply
  • Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the CAGS program.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the CAGS website

advanced standing/transfer credit/experiential credit

No transfer credit, advanced standing status, or credit for experiential learning is accepted into the on-line CAGS programs since the programs have been developed holistically to meet the six ISLLC standards.

Policy exceptions

The Certificate for Advanced Graduate Studies program and the CAGS Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

·         FINANCIAL AID

Transfer credit is not accepted by the CAGS program, since the program has been developed holistically to meet the six ISLLC standards.

MINIMAL GRADE STANDARD AND ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (“B”). Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Students receiving a grade of “F” in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. A student receiving an “F” must register and pass the failed course with a grade of “C” or better before registering for any additional credits.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Leadership, Ethics & Change curriculum consists of four 3-credit online courses and a 3-credit internship within your local area. Each on-line course is ordinarily scheduled for 8 weeks, so a student has the ability to enroll in two courses each semester, one in term A and one in term B. A minimum of 15 credits must be taken to be awarded the certificate.

The University of New England's Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Leadership, Ethics & Change curriculum is designed to apply as broadly as possible to requirements throughout the country, meeting basic ISLLC (Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium) standards. However, it is the responsibility of the candidate to confirm what course content is needed in the state in which certification is sought and to discuss with your advisor if alternative courses need to be accommodated.

After completing a CAGS program, students should be able to

• apply research results to leadership decisions
• describe the requirements of the ISLLC standards
• demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about school administration
• exhibit leadership skills in an actual school administrative settings 

Course Withdrawal Policy

The last date to withdraw from a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course.  Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal.  Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program will occur when the Graduate Coordinator and Chair of the Education Department become aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)
• Serious reservations identified on the Professional Performance Student Self-Assessment and Review instrument.
• Academic failure (see “Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress”.)

Timeline for Completion/Leave of Absence

A student who has not completed the MSEd Program within three (3) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission. Students are required to take a course every term, otherwise they must request a Leave of Absence, or be withdrawn from the program.  Students may take a slightly reduced course load in any term if necessary. These arrangements are the responsibility of the student and must be communicated in writing to the graduate program coordinator.

Students may “stop out” for one term, if necessary, and take an additional term to complete the program. The required Request for Leave of Absence form must be filed with the MSEd office and the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences if this will be occurring.  Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned; however, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Policy on leave of absence tuition credit is found in respective Financial Information sections of this catalog. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the Dean's Office and  the Education Department to indicate change of plans.

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the  program.

Academic Honesty Policy

The University of New England regards academic integrity as an essential component to the educational process. Charges of academic dishonesty will be handled through the dean of the appropriate college. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

• Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
• Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
• Action that destroys or alters the work of another student.
• Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
• Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

It is expected that students will accurately and correctly document all academic resources. APA format is the required style for citing sources and establishing a bibliography.

Documented instances of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by UNE administrators. Violation of the academic honesty policy will result in a grade of "F" being issued for the course involved. A student who has violated the academic honesty policy may also be dismissed from the program and the university.

To complete the program and receive a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Leadership, Ethics and Change, you must:

• Complete 15 credits which is composed of three 3-credit on-line courses and two field-based internships which include one 8-week field based internship and one 15-week field-based internship within your local area.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Pay all tuition and fees when due.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.