Catholic Educational Leadership Course Descriptions

CEL - 640. Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education (3)

This course will cover a historical, philosophical, sociological, and political study of American Catholic education in the context of the original common school and today's public school.

CEL - 641. School Law and Private Education (3)

Analysis of principal legal and constitutional issues in federal and state law affecting educators, including liability, contract law, and major church-state rulings.

CEL - 642. Moral Development (3)

Study of the cognitive developmental theory of moral development, comparing and contrasting it with other major theories. Review of the materials, research, and methods related to moral education. Practicum relating research and educational practice required.

CEL - 643. Religious Educational Leadership (1-2)

Analysis and discussion of effective ways to organize, evaluate, and improve religious education in church-related schools. Specific questions of staff development are addressed.

CEL - 644. Curriculum and Instruction Leadership in Schools (3)

This course presents curriculum and instruction from a leadership perspective within the contemporary context of the Catholic schools. It integrates models, research, and practical applications of design and evaluation of curriculum and instruction. Development of a curriculum model for a particular school will be required as a final project.

CEL - 645. Justice in the School Curriculum (1-2)

Study of the social teachings of the Scriptures and the Catholic Church with applications to curriculum design. Educational theory and sociological perspectives are integrated.

CEL - 646. Methods and Materials in Teaching Religion in Catholic Schools (2-3)

A study of the current context of Religious Education: qualities and competencies of religious educators, review of the Basic Teachings of the Church and Church History, the incorporation of these into a graduated catechesis based on child development, liturgy, ethnic influences, along with prayer, community building, and service.

CEL - 647. Counseling Techniques for Educators (1-2)

An introduction to theory and skills to be an effective counselor. It will include (a) understanding the range of normal to abnormal development problems, (b) applying principles of counseling to the classroom, and (c) designing behavioral modification strategies for children.

CEL - 648. Spirituality of the Educator (2-3)

A study of spirituality of leadership for the administrator and/or teacher in Catholic schools will be drawn from the history of both spirituality and Catholic education. The main themes of the course will be drawn from the Four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.

CEL - 649. Theory and Application of Developmental Psychology (1-2)

The examination of (a) methods of research and theories of child development, (b) aspects of child development such as physical, emotional and affective, cognitive and intellectual, religious, (c) influences on development (family, school, culture), (d) implications for teaching and learning strategies, (c) abnormal development, and (f) pastoral perspectives.

CEL - 650. Leadership and Educational Administration (3)

Examination of significant theories and research in the management of educational organizations, leadership, planning, change, administrative styles, decision-making, and informal organization, particularly within the Catholic school community.

CEL - 651. Business and Financial Administration for Catholic Schools (2-3)

Study of business management, school plant management, budgeting, accounting, fiscal planning, and fund-raising tasks facing Catholic school administrators.

CEL - 652. Applications in Finances of Catholic Schools (2)

This course examines historical and current practice of Catholic school business and finances. The course allows the student to develop policies and procedures that could be used in Catholic schools. The course covers topics relating to accounting procedures, budget development, financial record keeping and reporting, fund raising, purchasing and expense planning and monitoring procedures.

CEL - 653. Personnel Leadership in Schools (3)

This course will address current issues facing Catholic school administrators in the areas of leadership theory. The course will further cover in-depth topics of communication styles, problem-solving, hiring and dismissal, supervision, teacher evaluation, retention, mentoring, stress, conflict resolution, teacher induction, in-service, and staff development.

CEL - 654. Communication and Group Dynamics Skills (1-2)

Practice in a variety of communication and group dynamics skills as applied to problems of private educational administration.

CEL - 655. Issues in Catholic Education (1-3)

Scholarly practitioners review and develop issues pertinent to the Catholic school community.

CEL - 656. Applications in Catholic School Law and Legal Issues (2)

The course allows the student to have an in-depth understanding of Catholic school law and related legal issues. The course is designed to assist the student in further understanding Catholic school legal issues, for example, the development of handbooks, contracts, various policies and procedures of child protection and individual rights that are applicable in Catholic Education.

CEL - 657. Catholic School Research (1-2)

The study of major research findings in effective Catholic school research and the implications for the school. This course introduces the use of research methodology for the practioner.

CEL - 658. Grant Writing for Catholic Schools (2)

This course will focus on the science and art of grant writing along with special emphasis on identifying foundations that offer funding for Catholic Schools. The course is designed for elementary and secondary school personnel.

CEL - 661. Secondary Religious Education: To Teach As Jesus Did (1)

A reflective overview of the themes, issues, and methods which pertain to Catholic education. This seminar will focus on the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' vision for Catholic schools (comprised of Word, Community, Service and Worship). Orientation will address the M.A. with an Emphasis in Religious Education program goals: pedagogical training, doctrinal instruction, spiritual formation, and professional networking. Paticipants will explore the nature of their vocation as Catholic high school teachers, as well as the qualities and competencies of effective religious educators.

CEL - 662. Secondary Curriculum and Instruction for Religious Education (3)

Study of scope and sequence, pedagogical approaches, methods, materials, and media appropriate for teaching Religious Education within the high school curriculum. Course will survey the qualities and competencies of effective high school religion teachers. Participants will explore various methods for developing learning outcomes, assessment tools, instructional design and delivery, integration of educational technology, and strategies for classroom management. Program director and school site mentors will collaborate in the observation and coaching of participants' teaching.

CEL - 679. History and Philosophy of Catholic Education (2-3)

Readings and discussions related to the history, philosophy, and theology of church-related education with special emphasis on the American experience.

CEL - 690. M.A. Culminating Project (2-3)

A project to stimulate the integration of knowledge and skills gained from the M.A. program, which is submitted as a formal report in partial fulfillment of the master's degree.

CEL - 697. Directed Study (1-3)

Independent, in-depth study of a specific educational topic.

CEL - 698. Special Topics (1-3)

Topics of interest to Catholic school educators.

CEL - 700. Introduction to Doctoral Research: Catholic School Education (3)

This mentorship engages the student and faculty member in research of a topic of interest to the student, and stimulates student exploration of topic selection for doctoral research. It is required of all CEL doctoral students, and should be taken early in doctoral studies.

CEL - 709. Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3)

Prerequisites: GEDU - 706, GEDU - 708 and one General Education Foundations course. The essentials of developing a model proposal for the research project leading to a dissertation. Specific components of a good proposal, analysis of research proposals, and student research projects.

CEL - 729. Proposal Development (Continuation)

Further work on the specific components of a proposal, analysis of research proposals, and student research projects.

CEL - 740. Ecclesial Principles of Catholic Education (3)

This course will cover a historical, philosophical, sociological, and political study of American Catholic education in the context of the original common school and today's public school.

CEL - 741. School Law and Private Education (3)

Analysis of principal legal and constitutional issues in federal and state law affecting educators, including liability, contract law, and major church-state rulings.

CEL - 742. Moral Development (3)

Study of the cognitive developmental theory of moral development, comparing and contrasting it with other major theories. Review of the materials, research, and methods related to moral education. Practicum relating research and educational practice required.

CEL - 743. Religious Educational Leadership (1-2)

Analysis and discussion of effective ways to organize, evaluate, and improve religious education in church-related schools. Specific questions of staff development are addressed.

CEL - 744. Curriculum and Instruction Leadership in Schools (3)

This course presents curriculum and instruction from a leadership perspective within the contemporary context of the Catholic schools. It integrates models, research, and practical applications of design and evaluation of curriculum and instruction. Development of a curriculum model for a particular school will be required as a final project.

CEL - 745. Justice in the School Curriculum (1-2)

Study of the social teachings of the Scriptures and the Catholic Church with applications to curriculum design. Educational theory and sociological perspectives are integrated.

CEL - 746. Methods and Materials in Teaching Religion in Catholic Schools (2-3)

A study of the current context of Religious Education: qualities and competencies of religious educators, review of the Basic Teachings of the Church and Church History, the incorporation of these into a graduated catechesis based on child development, liturgy, ethnic influences, along with prayer, community building, and service.

CEL - 747. Counseling Techniques for Educators (1-2)

An introduction to theory and skills to be an effective counselor. It will include (a) understanding the range of normal to abnormal development problems, (b) applying principles of counseling to the classroom, and (c) designing behavioral modification strategies for children.

CEL - 748. Spirituality of the Educator (2-3)

A study of spirituality of leadership for the administrator and/or teacher in Catholic schools will be drawn from the history of both spirituality and Catholic education. The main themes of the course will be drawn from the Four Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.

CEL - 749. Theory and Application of Developmental Psychology (1-2)

The examination of (a) methods of research and theories of child development, (b) aspects of child development such as physical, emotional and affective, cognitive and intellectual, religious, (c) influences on development (family, school, culture), (d) implications for teaching and learning strategies, (e) abnormal development, and (f) pastoral perspectives.

CEL - 750. Leadership and Educational Administration (3)

Examination of significant theories and research in the management of educational organizations, leadership, planning, change, administrative styles, decision-making, and informal organization, particularly within the Catholic school community.

CEL - 751. Business and Financial Administration for Catholic Schools (2-3)

Study of business management, school plant management, budgeting, accounting, fiscal planning, and fund-raising tasks facing Catholic school administrators.

CEL - 752. Applications in Finances of Catholic Schools (2)

This course examines historical and current practice of Catholic school business and finances. The course allows the student to develop policies and procedures that could be used in Catholic schools. The course covers topics relating to accounting procedures, budget development, financial record keeping and reporting, fund raising, purchasing and expense planning and monitoring procedures.

CEL - 753. Personnel Leadership in Schools (3)

This course will address current issues facing Catholic school administrators in the areas of leadership theory. The course will further cover in-depth topics of communication styles, problem-solving, hiring and dismissal, supervision, teacher evaluation, retention, mentoring, stress, conflict resolution, teacher induction, in-service, and staff development.

CEL - 754. Communication and Group Dynamics Skills (1-2)

Practice in a variety of communication and group dynamics skills as applied to problems of private educational administration.

CEL - 755. Issues in Catholic Education (1-3)

Scholarly practitioners review and develop issues pertinent to the Catholic school community.

CEL - 756. Applications in Catholic School Law and Legal Issues (2)

This course allows the student to have an in-depth understanding of Catholic school law and related legal issues. The course is designed to assist the student in further understanding Catholic school legal issues, for example, the development of handbooks, contracts, various policies and procedures of child protection and individual rights that are applicable in Catholic Education.

CEL - 757. Catholic School Research (1-2)

The study of major research findings in effective Catholic school research and the implications for the school. This course introduces the use of research methodology for the practioner.

CEL - 758. Grant Writing for Catholic Schools (2)

This course will focus on the science and art of grant writing along with special emphasis on identifying foundations that offer funding for Catholic Schools. The course is designed for elementary and secondary school personnel.

CEL - 779. History and Philosophy of Catholic Education (2-3)

Readings and discussions related to the history, philosophy, and theology of Church-related education with special emphasis on the American experience.

CEL - 780. Seminar in Religious Education (1-2)

Study and discussion of selected topics in religious education.

CEL - 781. Seminar in Moral Development (1-2)

Prerequisite: CEL - 642 or 742. Study and discussion of selected topics in moral education.

CEL - 782. Business and Financial Management in Catholic Education (2-3)

Analysis of major fiscal management issues relating to Catholic schools.

CEL - 783. Curriculum and Instruction in Catholic Education (2-3)

Prerequisite: CEL - 644 or 744. Advanced seminar in special issues related to curriculum and instruction leadership in Catholic education.

CEL - 784. Leadership and Management Issues in Catholic Education (2-3)

Prerequisite: CEL - 650 or 750. Advanced seminar in special issues related to management and administration in Catholic education.

CEL - 785. Personnel Leadership in Catholic Education (2-3)

Prerequisite: CEL - 653 or 753. Advanced seminar in staff development and personnel topics.

CEL - 786. Practicum in Curriculum Leadership in Catholic Schools (2-3)

Prerequisite: CEL - 644 or 744. Processes are developed to implement curriculum theory, writing a school curriculum, and evaluating textbooks and curriculum.

CEL - 790. Dissertation Proposal Development (1-3)

Directed proposal development in consultation with dissertation committee.

CEL - 791. Dissertation Research and Writing (1-3)

The design, preparation, and writing of the dissertation research study in consultation with the dissertation committee. Advancement to candidacy required.

CEL - 797. Directed Study (1-3)

Independent, in-depth study of a specific educational topic.

CEL - 798. Special Topic Seminar (1-3)

In-depth study by a group of students, facilitated by an instructor or team of instructors with expertise in a selected area of Catholic school leadership. Open to all graduate students.