EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION (EDAD)
EDAD 552 - SCHOOL LAW AND ETHICS
Prerequisite: None
A course in basic school law related to teaching and school administration. Legal and ethical principles originating in constitutional statutory, judicial and common law relevant to curriculum, contracts, personnel administration, liability, pupil and employee rights, and finance are included.
Credit: 3
EDAD 559 - BUILDING, GROUNDS, AND FACILITIES
Prerequisite: None
The course explores present and future facility planning and equipment needs of schools. The course examines the efficiency of facilities, operations, and maintenance programs. It also reviews the planning process for school construction programs. Plans for financing construction are discussed. The role of educational facilities in the teaching/learning process is a central theme throughout the course.
Credit: 3
EDAD 682 - EDUCATIONAL POLITICS, POLICIES, AND SCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Prerequisite: None
Policy, politics, and school community relations are the unifying elements in this course. An understanding of different philosophical and cultural values is developed. Political leadership is explored to ensure that educational goals are realized in the larger community. Model school policies and procedures are developed. Effective school community relations programs are analyzed.
Credit: 3
EDAD 683 - EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Prerequisite: None
Organizations and leadership and their inter-relationship are examined in this course. Various facets of educational leadership are emphasized, specifically the history of leadership thought; intellectual, political, and social forces that have influenced the evolving understanding of leadership in educational institutions; and the importance of human behavior within the context of the school organization. Leadership theories and findings are applied by considering both the skills and the underlying meaning of one’s leadership agenda. Attention is given to the traditional school bureaucratic design and the ongoing influence and integration of human resources leadership in these educational bureaucracies. In addition, educational institutions are examined in light of the consistency between their inherent design and their subsequent aims and effects in delivering what these institutions espouse. The integration of theory and research with actual practice is at the heart of both the curriculum for this course as well as the means of evaluating student performance.
Credit: 3
EDAD 690 - ADMINISTRATION OF STAFF PERSONNEL SERVICES
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed as an advanced course for the graduate student seeking licensure as a school superintendent. The student obtains an overview of recruitment, selection, assignment, induction, mentorship, staff development, staff evaluation, collective bargaining, contract management, employee/employer relations, employment practices, personnel problems, and standards for school personnel administration. In addition, the role of school administration, board of education members, and other professionals who carry out those managerial functions and personnel services is considered.
Credit: 3
EDAD 691 - THE SUPERINTENDENCY
Prerequisite: Admission into the Educational Leadership Graduate Program
This course provides a comprehensive study of the roles, responsibilities, and skills required for effective superintendents. Topics will include leadership in educational organizations, policy development, district management, stakeholder engagement, fiscal oversight, and strategic planning. Through case studies, readings, and practical application, students will examine the complexities of the superintendency and develop the leadership competencies needed to lead in the K-12 educational environment. The course also emphasizes the application of the Ohio Standards for Superintendents and national standards for educational leadership. The course is designed to engage students with both theoretical and practical aspects of the superintendency, preparing them for leadership roles in K-12 education through a comprehensive study of the field. The course aligns with both Ohio and national leadership standards to ensure that students are well-equipped for the challenges of modern district leadership.
Credit: 3
EDAD 693 - SCHOOL FINANCE & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Prerequisite: Admission into the Educational Leadership Graduate Program
This course is designed to provide graduate students with an in-depth understanding of school finance, budgeting, and resource management within the context of K-12 education. Students will analyze financial decision-making processes, funding formulas, budget management, resource allocation, and the impact of fiscal decisions on student outcomes. This course ensures that students are prepared to make informed, strategic decisions in managing school finances and resources, with a clear understanding of the legal, ethical, and equity-based implications.
Credit: 3
EDAD 694 - ORGANIZATIONAL MANAGEMENT SEMINAR & INTERNSHIP FOR SUPERINTENDENTS
Prerequisite: This course should be the final course taken in the program
The course is structured to provide superintendent candidates with an understanding of the school system by defining processes and strategies for collecting, analyzing, and using data for decision making at the district leadership level. Opportunities through assignments, activities, and field experiences will be made available to students in order to frame and solve problems, collaborate with other stakeholders in the district and community, and engage in new leadership areas with the site mentorship guidance. The superintendent-board relationships, superintendent-administrative team work, superintendent-community partnerships, student learning and improvement, fiscal leadership topics, and superintendent-employee relations will be studied.
The course provides an internship experience for the superintendent candidates. Under the supervision of the Ashland University faculty member and the superintendent site mentor, the superintendent candidate participates in district level leadership activities and demonstrates the ability to lead, facilitate, and make decisions typical of those made by the district school leader.
Credit: 3
EDAD 698 - PERSONNEL, FACILITIES, AND BOARD RELATIONS
Prerequisite: Admission into the Educational Leadership Graduate Program
This course addresses the critical aspects of district-level leadership related to personnel management, facilities oversight, and effective board relations. Emphasizing the Ohio Standards for Superintendents, National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) standards, and CAEP advanced standards, students will explore best practices and leadership strategies for managing human resources, ensuring facility maintenance and safety, and maintaining strong, transparent relationships with the school board. The course will provide students with the necessary tools to develop, implement, and evaluate personnel policies, oversee facility-related issues, and engage with the school board to achieve district goals and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. It is designed to equip students with the leadership skills necessary to manage key aspects of a school district's operations, ensuring that you can contribute to the achievement of educational goals while maintaining strong professional relationships with all stakeholders.
Credit: 3
EDAD 699 - SPECIAL TOPICS AND PROJECTS: EMERGING ISSUES IN EDUCATION
Prerequisite: None
This course is set up to provide knowledge, skill sets, and dispositions for a specialized educational leadership topical area. This topical area should emerge from contemporary issues faced by practicing superintendents in today's school districts. The topical area should, also, be aligned with the Ohio Standards for Superintendents and the ELCC Standards. Through the course's activities and projects, students will gain a better understanding of the district-wide leadership role and responsibilities needed to address the topical area, along with participating in field experiences working with a superintendent. Proposed topical areas are working with key stakeholders in the district and community regarding opioids and substance abuse or working with community and district leader concerning safety plans.
Credit: 1
EDAD 700 - CAPSTONE: SUPERINTENDENT INTERNSHIP
Prerequisite: None
This course provides practical, hands-on internship experience for students seeking to fulfill the requirements for the Ohio Superintendent Licensure. The course focuses on the application of educational leadership theories and practices in real-world settings, emphasizing the development of skills necessary for effective superintendent leadership. Through mentored field experiences, interns will engage with key issues in educational leadership, strategic management, and policy implementation. Interns will document and reflect on their experiences to demonstrate mastery of leadership competencies.
Credit: 3