SWAG��Ƶ

The goals of the Post-Masters Certificate and CAGS programs are to prepare students to:

• Lead schools, programs, and classrooms in a humanistic, caring manner.
• Demonstrate professional responsibility and ethical decision-making.
• Meet the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) :
  • Standard 1. Mission, Vision, and Core Values
  • Standard 2. Ethics and Professional Norms
  • Standard 3. Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
  • Standard 4. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
  • Standard 5. Community of Care and Support for Students
  • Standard 6. Professional Capacity of School Personnel
  • Standard 7. Professional Community for Teachers and Staff
  • Standard 8. Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community
  • Standard 9. Operations and Management
  • Standard 10. School Improvement

All programs at the SWAG��Ƶ are accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study — Advanced Educational Leadership

For educators interested in pursuing an administrative certification, the SWAG��Ƶ offers a program 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 in Maine 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 is aligned with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).

Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study

The SWAG��Ƶ offers 30 credit certificate programs that allow students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as curriculum, literacy, educational leadership, and inclusion for teachers looking to advance their education careers. 

30 Credit Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study: Education
Choose any ten (10) of the electives listed below. You also have the option to add EDU 791/792 Internship I and II to your curriculum. Note that this CAGS is not an approved program for administrative certification in Maine. For SWAG��Ƶ's approved administrator preparation program see CAGS: Advanced Educational Leadership. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Electives

• EDU 701 Educational Leadership
• EDU 702 School Law
• EDU 703 Educational Change/ School Reform
• EDU 704 Supervision and Evaluation of Instructional Personnel
• EDU 706 School-Community Relations and Communications
• EDU 707 Instructional Leadership
• EDU 709 School Finance
• EDU 715 Organizational Theory and Strategic Planning
• EDU 720 Special Education Law 
• EDU 721 Using Technology within Inclusion Education
• EDU 722 Special Education Assessment in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 723 Teaching and Learning in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 724 Collaboration in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 725 Behaviors Considerations/Inclusion
• EDU 726 Telling Your School's Story through Data Analysis
• EDU 727 Understanding the Whole Child
• EDU 740 Supporting Literacy Development for All Learners
• EDU 741 Literacy Assessments as Teaching Tools
• EDU 742 Study Skills & Content Literacy Instruction for All
• EDU 743 Connecting Reading with Writing for Success
• EDU 744 Meeting Student Literacy Challenges
• EDU 746 Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership
• EDU 747 Literacy for English Language Learners
• EDU 748 Literacy for Inclusion Settings
• EDU 749 Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I
• EDU 750 Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II
• EDU 751 The Application Model of Learning – Curriculum Development

Post-Masters Graduate Certificate

The SWAG��Ƶ offers a 15 credit certificate program that allow students to customize their program by choosing electives from different topic areas in education such as 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.

Post-Masters Certificate — Reading Specialist

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

Post-Masters Certificate: Choose any five (5) of the electives listed below. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements

Electives:

• EDU 701 Educational Leadership & Ethics
• EDU 702 School Law
• EDU 703 Educational Change/ School Reform
• EDU 704 Supervision and Evaluation of Instructional Personnel
• EDU 706 School-Community Relations & Communications
• EDU 707 Instructional Leadership
• EDU 709 School Finance
• EDU 715 Organizational Theory and Strategic Planning
• EDU 720 Special Education Law for the Classroom
• EDU 721 Using Technology within Inclusion Education
• EDU 722 Special Education Assessment in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 723 Teaching and Learning in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 724 Collaboration in Inclusion Settings
• EDU 725 Behaviors Considerations/Inclusion
• EDU 726 Telling Your School's Story through Data Analysis
• EDU 727 Understanding the Whole Child
• EDU 740 Supporting Literacy Development for All Learners
• EDU 741 Literacy Assessments as Teaching Tools
• EDU 742 Study Skills & Content Literacy Instruction for All
• EDU 743 Connecting Reading with Writing for Success
• EDU 744 Meeting Student Literacy Challenges
• EDU 746 Professional Learning and Literacy Leadership
• EDU 747 Literacy for English Language Learners
• EDU 748 Literacy for Inclusion Settings
• EDU 749 Reading Diagnosis: Clinical Practice I
• EDU 750 Instruction Intervention: Clinical Practice II

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 Point Average

Matriculated graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B) or better. Failure to do so will result in academic probation and possible termination from the program. Any student receiving a grade below B- on any individual course has failed that course and must re-enroll and repeat the course to achieve a grade of B- or better. Students receiving a grade of F in any course will be immediately placed on academic probation. Any student who receives a grade of F in two courses is dismissed from the program.

Dismissal from the Program

Termination from the Program may occur when the Education Program Director 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 Post-Masters Certificate or Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, a student must:

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

LEAVE OF ABSENCE (ACADEMIC STOP OUT)

Students may stop out of their program for up to two semesters. Students need to coordinate stop outs in advance with their assigned student support specialist, and stop out time is considered part of the time allotted to complete the academic program. Application for readmission is not necessary if the student returns as planned. However, the student who does not return at the specified time or who exceeds two semesters of stop out will be administratively withdrawn and will be subject to readmission procedures. Readmitted students are subject to the re-admittance term’s catalog (this may mean that policies and/or program requirements have been changed or updated since previous admission, and should be reviewed for potential impact on degree requirements, time to complete the degree, and degree planning).

Re-admission

Students who have withdrawn from the program, either self-initiated or by 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.

Financial Aid

After completing a CAGS program, students should be able to:

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

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three, 3-credit courses (maximum of nine credits) into the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study. Transfer credit is not accepted into the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study — Advanced Educational Leadership program.

To request consideration for transfer credit, a student must provide an official transcript and a course syllabus for each course. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies based on specific program details listed below. Requests for approval of transfer credit should be submitted to, and will be granted at the discretion of, the Program Director.

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Be taken at a regionally accredited institution
• Be worth 3 credits.
• Have been taken within five years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of “B” or better.
• Be equivalent to one of the required program courses or an elective course that meets the goals of the student’s education.

Transfer credit cannot be accepted into the Post Master's Certificate or Certificate of Advanced Study — Advanced Educational Leadership programs or any other program leading to State of Maine certification.

CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY (CAGS) AND CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDY — ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP (CAGS - AEL)

Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Computer with internet connection, including the hardware and software requirements described in our . Must also possess sufficient computer skills to navigate the internet as all classes are accessed 100% online.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Supervisor Endorsement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master’s 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 online application 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
• Students are admitted to the CAGS program six (6) times a year: Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
• 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 International Admissions.
• 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 International Admissions. If applicable, the  requirement must be completed and score received by the application deadline.

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please view the  website.

Policy Exceptions
The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program and the CAGS Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies 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.

POST-MASTERS GRADUATE CERTIFICATE (PMC)

Admission Requirements

• A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or its equivalent. See International Admissions for details regarding evaluation of international degrees for grade and degree equivalency.
• Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment in which you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Sufficient computer skills to navigate the worldwide web and effectively participate in an on-line program.
• Own or have regular access to a computer with internet connection and with appropriate hardware and software requirements.

Application Process

• Completed online application:
• Submission of the non-refundable application fee
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master’s 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 online application 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
• Students are admitted to the PMC program six (6) times a year:  Summer A & B, Fall A & B, Spring A & B.
• 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 International Admissions
• 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 International Admissions.  
• If an applicant cannot prove English Proficiency in another way, scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language () are required and must be submitted as a part of the completed application. 

For additional information on the admissions process and requirements, please access the Post Masters Certificate program website.

Policy Exceptions
The Post-Masters Graduate Certificate program and the PMC Admissions Committee in collaboration with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies 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.