Superintendent (093) Certification Program
David Title, EdD
Chair, Department of Educational & Literacy Leadership
Office phone: 203 365-4810
E-mail: titled@sacredheart.edu
The goal of this program is to ensure that every candidate acquires the skills and knowledge necessary to become a highly successful superintendent of schools.
While the content of each course will vary, the following themes will run throughout the program:
Legal and Policy considerations,
Effective internal and external communication,
Equity, Diversity, Social Justice,
Political and symbolic frames of reference, and
Moral and Ethical Issues.
All courses in the program utilize a case study approach to learning. Case studies allow candidates to put themselves into the role of a superintendent of schools and to apply the principles of leadership to practical situations. Cases illustrate key concepts in the course but do not necessarily reflect effective leadership practices.
Required Courses
This is a one-year, 15 credit program. Courses are offered in an on-campus cohort model consisting of approximately 15 students. Candidates complete four academic courses over two semesters. Courses meet on alternating Saturdays on the Fairfield campus. The cohort meets on a Friday and Saturday to start, followed by three additional meetings occurring every other Saturday.
All instructors are experienced superintendents of schools with a track record of sustained excellence. Each cohort will have four adjunct professors who are practicing superintendents in Connecticut.
Students will also complete a one-year internship to serve as an immersion experience with an experienced and successful superintendent of schools. For most of the internship, candidates work in a district other than their own, although the final project for the internship is a Capstone that seeks to solve a critical district-wide instructional issue in the candidate's home district.
Academic courses cover all aspects of leading a school system:
- Politics
- Policy
- Governance
- Core Operations
- Leading district-level improvement
- Human and financial resources
One Year - 15 credits
- Fall - EDL 930, EDL 931, EDL 935
- Spring - EDL 932, EDL 933, EDL 936
| EDL 930 | Leading School Systems | 3 |
| EDL 931 | Utilization of the Human and Financial Resources | 3 |
| EDL 935 | Superintendent Internship I | 1.5 |
| EDL 932 | Leading Core Operations of a School System | 3 |
| EDL 933 | Policy, Governance and Community Involvement | 3 |
| EDL 936 | Superintendent Internship II | 1.5 |