Students apply academic experiences in professional and/or research settings; reflect and critically and constructively analyze experiences from multiple perspectives; and view the work as connecting course content authentic contexts. Students work as professionals with site supervisors and instructors to complete related assignments and relevant background research on the professional and academic resources available.

Content for this course includes the purposes and nature of theory in educational administration and the application of organization theory to education. Theories of leadership, organizations, decision-making, communication, climate, conflict, change process, and motivation are included.

This course examines and promotes prospective administrators, intrapersonal understanding, interpersonal ability, and potential for effectiveness as leaders. Theory and practice relative to the staffing of schools for effective realization of educational goals and objectives will be explored. Current challenges influencing the optimization of human capital in schools will be studied and students will apply the concepts to their own settings.

This course is designed to prepare individuals for positions of education leadership by exposing them to hands-on administrators. Students will be engaged in a significant number of administrative activities at the elementary, middle, and high schools levels as well as at central office and at community out-reach sites. Students will be mentored on site by licensed school administrators during their 320-hour internship.

This course provides students with the necessary blend of theory, best practice, and authentic problems of practice in leadership. The course provides a bridge between their thought in other courses and the practicalities involved as they prepare for the administrative leadership selection process and their first leadership assignment. Students learn how to use personal assessment tools and feedback to construct Individual Development Plans.