College of Education - Graduate

Basic Administrator Certificate

Program Highlights:

  1. Program may be completed in two years
  2. Some courses offered in weekend formats
  3. Instructional emphasis based on lab sessions, hands-on activities, and group processes
  4. Academy faculty include practicing administrators or those with recent field experience

Classes offered at the GVSU Eberhard Center or the DeVos Center on the Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.  Overnight accommodations are conveniently located in the area, several within walking distance of the campus.  

Three-credit courses meet one weekend a month for three months.  Students who elect to take two weekend classes meet two alternate weekends each month for three months.  One-credit modules meet for one weekend.

Practical Application:

All students who complete an administrative concentration undertake a practicum on the job which enables them to apply leadership theory to practice.  Practicum students are assisted by a mentor and an academy faculty member.  Students typically do not take time off from their current jobs to complete the practicum.Academy Admission: 

The Administrator's Academy is designed for both degree-seeking and nondegree-seeking individuals who currently work in an administrative capacity or who have been identified by their school districts as having administrative potential. Applicants for admission to the Academy must be sponsored by a mentor from the area of interest, i.e, principal, superintendent, special education administration.
 

The School Administrator Academy is a performance-oriented program that leads to a Master of Education degree with an emphasis in Educational Leadership or Special Education Administration.  Concentrations are also available for Elementary or Secondary School Principal, Central Office Administration, and Special Education Supervisor and Director.

The Academy emphasizes learning by doing. Although the program involves conventional instruction, the greatest emphasis is placed on lab sessions, problem solving, and field experience.

Page last modified August 7, 2012