Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Central Office Administration

Department of Educational Leadership 480D Pawley Hall  (map) (248) 370-3070 • Fax (248) 370-4605 www.oakland.edu/edleadership  Coordinator: C. Suzanne Klein 480C Pawley Hall (248) 370-3142 csklein@oakland.edu

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Program description 

The Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Central Office Administration is designed to be a 24-credit non-degree program meeting the standards for state school administrator certification. It may also serve as part of the course sequence for the Education Specialist Program and a cognate for the Ph.D. program.

This standards-based program reflects the best of what we know about preparing superintendents and other central office administrators to meet the educational challenges of the 21st century. Based on a strong theoretical foundation, it is a program designed for practitioners by practitioners, and it   a valuable  complement to the  other graduate programs that prepare teacher leaders, principals, and central office administrators.

Program delivery

Using the design model of an executive school leadership academy, candidates   proceed through the  12-month, 24-credit program as a cohort. To accommodate busy practitioners, courses   follow a hybrid format with monthly Saturday classes and weekly online discussion. The required internship experience, designed as a complement to formal coursework,  begins the first semester and continues throughout the program. Using state and national leadership standards as a guide, Oakland University’s Central Office program of study   balances the explanatory power of theory with the relevance of practice.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

Current Deadlines

• July 15 for fall semester
• November 15 for winter semester
• International applicants  

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:

1. Graduate Application Requirements
      
    
2. Additional department application requirements

Evidence of a master’s degree in education or related field from a regionally accredited institution Requirements for recommendations The two Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms, listed above under University graduate application requirements, must be from supervisors familiar with the candidate’s current position and their professional effectiveness A statement indicating willingness to make a two-year commitment to the program and a statement of personal goals after completing the Central Office Administration program. Curriculum vitae or resumé Applicants may be interviewed by the program coordinator, who will make admission recommendations to Graduate Admissions.

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate and graduate records, goal statement, recommendation forms, curriculum vitae or resume, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements or procedures.