SWAG��Ƶ

The goals of the CAGS program are to prepare students to:

• Administer schools in a humanistic, caring manner.
• Instill a sense of responsibility and ethical decision-making.
• Meet the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium Standards (ISLLC) to enable school educators to obtain administrative certification nationwide. The six ISLLC standards state that a school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by:
• Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
• Advocating, nurturing and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
• Ensuring management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.
• Collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs and mobilizing community resources.
• Acting with integrity and in an ethical manner.
• Understanding, responding to and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study - Administrator Track 

For educators interested in pursuing an administrative certification, the SWAG��Ƶ offers a program track to equip teachers with the foundational knowledge and curriculum required and approved by the State of Maine.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Advanced Educational Leadership is a post-master's program of study leading to an educational administrative credential and has been designed to offer high-quality, cost-effective, and innovative curricula delivered through an online format. This program requires completion of ten post-master's courses (30 credits). Emphasis is on developing the knowledge and skills needed by school administrators and other educators who wish to assume significant leadership roles in their schools, educational institutions, and communities. The program meets the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards.

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study · Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach Track 

*ADDENDUM* Post-Masters Graduate Certificate - Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach Track 

For educators interested in pursuing a Reading Specialist/Literacy Coach certification, The SWAG��Ƶ offers a program track to equip teachers with the foundational knowledge and curriculum required by the State of Maine.

Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study

*ADDENDUM* Post-Masters Graduate Certificate

The SWAG��Ƶ offers 15 and 30 credit certificate programs that allow students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as career/technical, curriculum, literacy, educational leadership, and inclusion for teachers looking to advance their education career. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

15 Credit Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study

*ADDENDUM* Post-Masters Graduate Certificate- Choose any five (5) of the electives listed below. You also have to option to add EDU 791/792 Internship I & II to your curriculum. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

30 Credit Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study - Choose any ten (10) of the electives listed below. You also have to option to add EDU 791/792 Internship I & II to your curriculum. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Electives:

• EDU701 Educational Leadership
• EDU702 School Law
• EDU703 Educational Change/ School Reform
• EDU704 Supervision and Evaluation of Instructional Personnel
• EDU705 Leadership, Professional Responsibilities, & Ethics
• EDU706 School-Community Relations & Communications
• EDU707 Instructional Leadership
• EDU709 School Finance
• EDU715 Organizational Theory and Strategic Planning
• EDU720 Special Education Law for the Classroom
• EDU721 Using Technology within Inclusion Education
• EDU722 Special Education Assessment in Inclusion Settings
• EDU723 Teaching and Learning in Inclusion Settings
• EDU724 Collaboration in Inclusion Settings
• EDU740 Supporting Literacy Development for All Learners
• EDU741 Literacy Assessments as Teaching Tools
• EDU742 Study Skills & Content Literacy Instruction for All
• EDU743 Connecting Reading with Writing for Success
• EDU744 Meeting Student Literacy Challenges
• EDU746 Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership
• EDU747 Literacy for English Language Learners
• EDU748 Literacy for Inclusion Settings
• EDU749 Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I
• EDU750 Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II
• EDU751 The Application Model of Learning – Curriculum Development
• EDU753 Working with Special Needs Students
• EDU755 Utilizing Literacy Strategies in CTE Learning Environments
• EDU757 Health and Safety Implementation for CTE
• EDU759 Preparing Students for College, Careers, & Citizenship 

Course Drop and Withdrawal Policy

The last date to drop a course with no record is the first day of course. Students who withdraw from a course must do so in writing (e-mail is acceptable) by the end of the fourth week of the course.  Students will receive a “W” on their transcripts indicating withdrawal.  Beyond the fourth week, at the faculty’s discretion, a “WP” or “WF” may be assigned if extenuating circumstances do not allow the student to complete his/her work. Be aware that no portion of the tuition will be refunded after the second week of the course.

Minimal Grade Standard and Academic Progress

Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (“B”). Failure to do so may result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Students receiving a grade of “F” in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Manager becomes aware of one of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (Note this also includes course on-line postings and email communications with faculty and staff. Students are advised that their behavior while participating in the Program should exemplify the ethical behavior of a professional educator with respect to all communications.)

Graduation Requirements

To complete the program and receive a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, a student must:

• Complete all program requirements.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Pay all tuition and fees.

Timeline for Completion/Leave of Absence

A student who has not completed the CAGS Program within three (3) years will be administratively withdrawn from the program and be required to apply for readmission. Students are required to take a course every term, otherwise they must request a Leave of Absence, or be withdrawn from the program. These arrangements are the responsibility of the student and must be communicated to the Student Support Specialist along with a completed Leave of Absence Form.

The required Request for Leave of Absence form must be filed with the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.  Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned; however, the student who does not return at the specified time will be administratively withdrawn and may be subject to readmission procedures. Note: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies to indicate change of plans.

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program for a period of one year, either self-initiated or administrative withdrawal, must reapply to the program if they wish to continue their studies. The application procedures, academic policies, and program requirements that are in effect at the time of readmission will apply.

Students who re-enroll following withdrawal will have their previous coursework evaluated for applicability to the existing academic requirements. Coursework that is more than five years old will not be accepted for credit in the program.

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After completing a CAGS program, students should be able to

• Apply research results to leadership decisions
• Describe the requirements of the ISLLC standards
• Demonstrate a high degree of specialized knowledge and skills about school administration
• Exhibit leadership skills in an actual school administrative settings

ADVANCED STANDING/TRANSFER CREDIT/ EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Transfer credit is not accepted by the CAGS program, since the program has been developed holistically to meet the six ISLLC standards.

Requirements for admission for the CAGS

• A Master's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or its equivalent.
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies
• Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web.
• Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection, with the hardware and software requirements described on the .

Application Process

All online programs require the following:

• Completed online application: 
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral or prior degree from a regionally accredited institution.  All transcripts are to be submitted from the original institutions.

Note: Transcripts for any coursework appearing as transfer credit on the transcript of the conferred degree can be waived if the coursework is unrelated to the degree being sought.  The program admissions committee defines all coursework not eligible for waiver.

PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

• Applications for admission are accepted through SWAG��Ƶ’s  only. Detailed instructions are included in the online application.
• Official transcripts, as well as other documents to support the application, must be submitted to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies, 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
• Applications received and completed by the respective deadlines will be given full consideration.  Applications submitted and/or completed after the deadline will be reviewed for the next available term.
• Admissions are rolling and decisions are made by the program admissions committee throughout the cycle.
• International applicants and applicants with international degrees must have their transcripts evaluated for degree and grade equivalency to that of a regionally accredited US institution.  See .
• All applicants to SWAG��Ƶ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  SWAG��Ƶ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see  English Proficiency requirement must be completed at the time of application.

The Certificate for Advanced Graduate Studies program and the CAGS Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions reserve the right to make exceptions to the admissions criteria and to make changes or exceptions to policies and procedures, on a case by case basis, when it deems such a decision is necessary and appropriate.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Financial Aid

Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.