Programs in Catholic Educational Leadership

Overview

The courses offered by the Catholic Educational Leadership Program (CEL), in collaboration with the Institute for Catholic Educational Leadership (ICEL), seek to meet the specific needs of students who are preparing to serve the Catholic educational community, K-graduate school, as teachers, administrators, or auxiliary personnel. Course content includes the dimension of "call, covenant, and mission."

For more information about the Catholic Educational Leadership program, please visit: www.soe.usfca.edu/departments/cel

Please see Catholic Educational Leadership Course Descriptions.

Master's Programs for Teachers

The program leading to the Master of Arts in Catholic School Teaching requires the successful completion of 30 units of coursework, including eight core courses:

• CEL - 640 Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education
• CEL - 642 Moral Development
• CEL - 646 Methods and Materials in Teaching Religion in Catholic Schools
• CEL - 644 Curriculum and Instruction Leadership in Schools
• CEL - 648 Spirituality of the Educator
• CEL - 649 Theory and Application of Developmental Psychology
• CEL - 690 M.A. Culminating Project

and one of the following Teacher Education courses:

• TEC - 612 Multiple Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Reading & Language Arts in the Intermediate Grades
• TEC - 613 Multiple Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Math & Science
• TEC - 614 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction: English & Social Studies
• TEC - 615 Single Subject Curriculum and Instruction: Math & Science

Each student's schedule of coursework is planned jointly by the candidate and the faculty adviser on the basis of the student's academic and professional background and career interests. To enhance their programs, students may select, as electives, courses from other programs in the School of Education, as well as in Theology and Religious Education. A culminating project, required of all master's students, is designed to stimulate students to synthesize knowledge and skills gained from the program's core areas, as well as from the elective program.

The program leading to the Master of Arts in Catholic School Teaching with an emphasis in Religious Education requires the successful completion of 40 units of course work. This program was collaboratively designed with the San Francisco Archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools. After 40 units of specified course work, participants will receive a Certificate in Religious Education, recognized by dioceses throughout California as an equivalent to the California Teaching Credential. The M.A. degree requires the successful completion of a culminating project.

The following are required courses that must be successfully completed to earn the Master of Arts in Catholic School Teaching with an emphasis in Religious Education:

• CEL - 662 Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Religious Education
• CEL - 648 Spirituality of the Educator
• CEL - 642 Moral Development
• CEL - 640 Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education
• CEL - 643 Religious Educational Leadership
• CEL - 690 M.A. Culminating Project
• CEL - 780 Seminar in Religious Education

In addition to the above, students are required to complete Teacher Mentorship I, II, and III, Scriptural Catechesis, Catholic Sacraments and Liturgy, Educational Learning Theory, and Catholic Moral Theology and Social Teachings.

Master's and Credential Programs for Administrators

The program leading to the Master of Arts in Catholic School Leadership requires the completion of 30 units of course work, including seven core courses:

• CEL - 640 Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education
• CEL - 641 School Law and Private Education
• CEL - 642 Moral Development
• CEL - 644 Curriculum and Instruction Leadership in Schools
• CEL - 650 Leadership and Educational Administration
• CEL - 653 Personnel Leadership in Schools
• CEL - 690 M.A. Culminating Project

The remaining units are earned in elective courses selected from among those in Catholic School Leadership or those offered by other master's degree programs in the School of Education, as well as Theology and Religious Education. The program is offered three semesters during the academic year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. The SummerWest program includes a wide variety of course offerings; the summer faculty are from many parts of the country and bring expertise in theory and practice in elementary and secondary Catholic schools. Some of the core courses in this program fulfill requirements for the Preliminary Administrative Services Credential in California: see ICEL Handbook.

Doctoral Program

The program leading to the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Catholic Educational Leadership prepares its students for effective leadership in Catholic education. The curriculum is designed to allow students the opportunity to explore additional areas of interest, such as Learning and Instruction, International and Multicultural Education, Organization and Leadership, Religious Education, Theology, and Technology.

The doctoral program consists of 60 units: 12 in the general education core; 18 of major specialization in Catholic School Leadership; 18 in electives; and 12 in dissertation development, research, and writing. The dissertation, which is undertaken after the completion of coursework, is a demonstration of the candidate's ability to bring theoretical and practical knowledge to the solution of a significant educational problem, which will contribute to Catholic education.

The 18 units of major specialization in Catholic Educational Leadership include the following core courses:

• CEL - 740 Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education
• CEL - 741 School Law and Private Education
• CEL - 742 Moral Development
• CEL - 744 Curriculum and Instruction Leadership in Schools
• CEL - 750 Leadership and Educational Administration
• CEL - 753 Personnel Leadership in Schools

Students who have completed the Master of Arts degree through the Catholic Educational Leadership Program may pursue a minor in Theology or another program within the School of Education.

The 12 units associated with the development, research, and writing of a doctoral dissertation are:

• CEL - 700 Introduction to Doctoral Research: Catholic School Education
• CEL - 709 Dissertation Proposal Seminar
• CEL - 790 Dissertation Proposal Development
• CEL - 791 Dissertation Research and Writing

Supplementary Admission Requirements for Catholic School Leadership Students

In addition to the admission prerequisites to the School of Education, CEL applicants (M.A. or Ed.D.) are required to submit the following:

• Evidence of three years minimum Catholic school teaching experience at the elementary, secondary, or collegiate level, or permission by the CEL faculty to waive this prerequisite
• In addition to the two School of Education form letters of recommendation, two letters testifying to commitment to ministry in catholic education

To learn more:

• Request Information
• Apply Online