Curriculum
The following course sequence represents the single year Preliminary Administrative Services Credential classes for the fall, spring and summer semesters. The emphasis within each course reflects the various program strands including the academic “theory & practices” courses (EDL 5460, 5470 & 5480), the practical “learning to lead” courses (EDL 5490 & 5500) and the “learn by doing” courses that reflect Cal Poly’s polytechnic heritage (EDL 5510, 5520 & 5530). Candidates start the program sequence with the fall semester. Questions regarding course equivalencies from either the former preliminary credential program at Cal Poly or similar course offerings at other institutions of higher learning should be directed to the program coordinator or credential analyst. Please note that any coursework older than seven years will not be considered for credit pursuant to department and college guidelines.
EDL 5460 – Theory & Practice I; Visionary & Instructional Leadership: a problem-based seminar integrating salient concepts and theories in administrative leadership with 'problems of practice' experienced in K-12 schools. Candidates study leadership behaviors and strategies that promote effective instruction, facilitative school climates, appropriate human & system behaviors and school management (three units).
EDL 5490 – Learning to Lead Content Module I; Professional Learning & Growth: seminar designed to address key school law competencies via problem-based learning and other instructional strategies with an emphasis on students and staff with topics such as student rights, personnel administration and the curricula/programmatic needs of ELL students (three units).
EDL 5510 – Fieldwork I: fieldwork learning activities integrating the competencies and performance domains (CAPEs) for preliminary credential candidates involving the candidate, a district-employed site supervisor and the university supervisor. The two-semester course sequence also integrates four embedded program capstone assignments (three units).
EDL 5470 – Theory & Practice II; School Improvement Leadership: a problem-based seminar integrating salient concepts and theories in administrative leadership with 'problems of practice' experienced in K-12 schools. Candidates study 'best practice' strategies focusing on the effective use of data, personnel and fiscal resources that promote student growth (three units).
EDL 5500 – Learning to Lead Content Module II; Organizational & Systems Leadership: seminar designed to address key administrative school law competencies via problem-based learning and other instructional strategies with an emphasis on finance, personnel alternatives, site management and technology with topics such as SPSA budget administration, capital improvements, alternative delivery systems, etc.
EDL 5520 – Fieldwork II: fieldwork learning activities integrating the competencies and performance domains (CAPEs) for preliminary credential candidates involving the candidate, a district-employed site supervisor and the university supervisor. The two-semester course sequence also integrates four embedded program capstone assignments (three units).
EDL 5480 – Theory & Practice III; Community Leadership: an intensive seminar studying selected issues, problems, or areas within public education focusing on various elements of the greater school community including politics, media, parents, etc. Problem-based assignments include promoting school/student achievements and enlisting the community to achieve school goals (three units).
EDL 5530 – SWCI & Candidate Assessment: an experiential learning practicum, the Schoolwide Change Initiative project develops an individualized, supervised, and planned project as an outgrowth of fieldwork and academic coursework; it is a major program capstone. Other program/candidate assessments comprise the remainder of this course which must be taken during each candidate’s last semester of enrollment (three units).
As previously mentioned, a hallmark of the administrative credential program at Cal Poly Pomona is the “learn by doing” strand that includes two quarters of fieldwork (EDL 5510 & EDL 5520) along with the schoolwide change initiative (EDL 5530) This part of the program includes five capstones; four are expansions of the fieldwork learning activities chosen as “most helpful in preparing me for an administrative career” over the past ten years by program graduates and the fifth is the School-Wide Change Initiative project itself (SWCI). Please use the following two links for more specific information about this aspect of the program:
- the Fieldwork Manual includes not only the 36 distinct Learning Activities but also copies of the CAPE & CPSEL credential standards along with a Capstone Pamphlet that informs candidates on the preparation of the first four capstones complete with rubrics (PDF)
- the SWCI Manual for the fifth and last capstone details instructions, checkpoints and the rubric for this significant culminating project (PDF)