Leadership in Teaching FAQ's

What is the Leadership in Teaching Graduate Program?

The Action Research Based Master’s Program, Leadership in Teaching, is designed for certified teachers who are currently working in the P-12 classroom. The 36 credit hour, 18-month program is delivered in a cohort format with an online component.  Courses examine the research findings on effective schools, instruction, leadership, and professional development while building competence in the use of applied research methodologies. There are three major strands to the curriculum:  research, teaching, and leadership.  This field-based program is designed to work in conjunction with an individual teacher’s professional growth plan in order to establish a relationship between educational research and practice to effect academic achievement.

What is the relationship of the Program to Teacher Licensing?

The major goal of the Program is to enhance a professional educator’s effective practices by providing a structured opportunity to reflect critically on current educational theory and research and apply that reflection to actual classroom experience. That is the purpose of action research. In that very process, a program participant has the opportunity to meet licensing renewal requirements for the State of Indiana by completing graduate coursework as well as by completing a Professional Growth Plan as constituted by the Indiana Professional Standards Board as part of Rules 2002. Dr. Joi Patterson, Licensing Advisor for Calumet College of St. Joseph, always stands ready to assist in clarifying all renewal questions. For further information regarding license renewal, you may also wish to consult the IPSB at http://gov/psb/faq/renewal.html.

Is there a Thesis requirement to the Program?

There is no thesis requirement for the Program.  However, students in the program must complete a capstone action research project. 

What is the delivery structure and when will classes meet?

The Leadership in Teaching Graduate Program is delivered within a cohort model. The cohort model has the benefit of providing a logical and coherent sequence of course delivery to participants. It also affords the participants an opportunity to establish and maintain a supportive and collaborative community of professional educators. The delivery system includes courses offered on Saturdays with each course meeting from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm  for  four  consecutive Saturdays.

What is the duration of the Program?

The Leadership in Teaching Program lasts for approximately 18 months, depending upon satisfactory completion of the final course of the Program, a “Capstone” of one’s chosen action research project to be presented within the College community.

What research projects will be undertaken in the Program?

The Program participants, in consultation with course instructors, will identify the nature and scope of their research projects. This will ensure that the action research undertaken will be meaningful and valuable to each participant.

Who will the instructors be?

The professors of the Department of Education at Calumet College of St. Joseph will serve the Program as primary instructors. All professors come to the Program with not only academic expertise but also significant experience as practitioners in the field of both public and non-public education. Also, periodically and when appropriate, leading educators from the field will be asked to serve as course professors.

What are the requirements and steps for Admission into the Program?

The requirements for admission into the Program are as follows:

• The applicant must be currently licensed/accredited by an appropriate state licensing/certification agency and be employed in a P-12 educational setting, teaching in a classroom consonant with the applicant’s license/certificate (in terms of content area and developmental level).
• The applicant must have a Bachelor degree from an accredited college/university with an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate coursework (or 2.5 on a 4.0 scale with at least one year of teaching experience).
• Submit three letters of recommendation (one of which must be from the applicant’s building administrator).
• Submit a written statement of purpose indicating interest in the graduate program.
• Complete the application process.

Those interested in participating in the Program should thus do the following in order to complete the application process:

• Secure an application packet from Ms. Mary Severa, Coordinator of Graduate Student Services, at (219) 473-4295.
• Complete the Application Form and submit it with the $25.00 application fee and appropriate accompanying documents to Ms. Severa two months prior to the cohort start date.
• Accompanying documents would include: a written statement of purpose indicating interest in the Program, three letters of recommendation (one of which must be from the applicant’s building administrator), and official transcripts reflecting all undergraduate coursework completed.

May one enroll for courses in the Leadership in Teaching Program as a non-degree seeking student?

We at Calumet College of St. Joseph realize that some educational practitioners may wish to enroll in a limited number of courses offered through the Leadership in Teaching Program either for the purpose of renewing State licenses/certificates or with a view towards seeking a Leadership in Teaching degree at some future time. Therefore, interested educational practitioners may enroll in courses on an ad hoc basis with non-degree seeking status according to the following criteria/limitations:

• The applicant must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• The applicant must successfully complete the application process for admission to the College.
• Enrollment in Leadership in Teaching Program courses must adhere to the following “Twelve Credit Rule” in relation to future possible admission into the Leadership in Teaching Program as a degree seeking student. No more than twelve hours of credit earned as a non-degree seeking student in the Program can be applied to the Leadership in Teaching degree if an applicant is later admitted to the Program with degree seeking status.

May one transfer graduate credits from another educational institution into the Leadership in Teaching Program?

A maximum of six (6) graduate credits earned at another accredited educational institution may be considered for possible transfer into the Leadership in Teaching Program. The Graduate Program Director will consider requests for transfer of graduate credits on a case by case basis. Only course work that correlates highly with the course requirements for the Leadership in Teaching Program will be considered for possible transfer. Furthermore, coursework must obtain a minimal grade of “B” to secure consideration for transfer to the Leadership in Teaching Program (either from an external educational institution or from non-degree seeking enrollment).

What is the cost of the Program?

The Graduate Program in Education, Leadership in Teaching, presentlycarries a total tuition cost of $21,600 for 2008-2009 academic year which includes the cost of books.  However, there is an institutional grant that is available.  Additionally, there is a $80.00 technology fee per semester and a one time $50.00 graduation fee.  The Office of Financial Aid at Calumet College of St. Joseph always stands ready to be of assistance and guidance to students in the matter of securing financial aid in the form of possible student loans. Contact the Office at (219) 473–4296.

Are there financial benefits to participating and completing the Leadership in Teaching Graduate Program?

In many school corporations/districts, completion of certain number of courses can lead to a salary lane change. Since each corporation/district established the exact course credits and degree requirements for salary lane changes, please consult your corporation/district about those requirements and thus how completion of courses with the Program can be of benefit to you financially. Also there are tax advantages to pursuing professional development. Applicants should consult their tax advisors to determine if they qualify for tax deductions.

Who might I contact for further assistance?

Please feel free to contact Ms. Mary Severa, Coordinator of Graduate Student Services, at (219) 473–4295.

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