Courses
ELPS 203. Urban Education in American Society (3)
Introductory foundation course. Designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of the understanding of the American educational enterprise, especially problems in urban multicultural schools. Concepts and methods from the fields of sociology, philosophy and the politics of education are used to gain knowledge of, understand and analyze the current conditions of American schools, and to evaluate selected proposals/ models for reform. The California Standards for the Teaching Profession, the Teaching Performance Expectations and the K-12 subject matter content standards are introduced. A minimum of 20 hours of observation and participation in a multicultural school and community setting is required.
ELPS 417. Equity and Diversity in Schools (3)
Prepares teacher candidates to examine principles of educational equity, diversity and the implementation of curriculum content and school practices for elementary/secondary students. Focuses on the history and culture of a specific ethnic experience, and a comparative analysis is made with other ethnic groups in California. Engages students to examine, critique and reflect on their personal biases regarding children of color. Not available for credit in addition to AAS 417, AFRS 417, ARMN 417 or CHS 417. Available for graduate credit.
ELPS 541A. Getting Started–Introduction to Teaching in Urban Schools (1)
Restricted to candidates admitted to the Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program. Prerequisite: Admission to the ACT Program. Corequisites:
Multiple Subject Credential Candidates: EED 500/EPC 500; EED 515, EED 520, EED 565ACT, EED 565M, EED 577; ELPS 541A.
Single Subject Credential Candidates: ELPS 541A; EPC 420; SED 511, SED 514, SED 525, SED 554.
Special Education Credential Candidates: EED 515 (optional), EED 520, EED 565M, EED 577; ELPS 541A with SPED 541B; SPED 504ACT, SPED 577ACT, SPED 579ACT.
The first of two core courses in the ACT Program for elementary, secondary and special education teacher candidates is taught collaboratively by a team of University and school faculty. The course is an introduction to teaching and learning in the context of P-12 urban schools with an emphasis on educational equity, diversity and special populations. Topics include an introduction to the roles and responsibilities of a professional educator; teachers’ and students’ backgrounds and how they impact teaching and learning in urban schools; knowledge of relevant federal and state legislation for students with special needs; classroom practices that include planning, assessment and management in urban schools; and collaboration with school professionals and parents. Teacher candidates are provided activities and discussion that emphasize the link between theory and practice. (Offered Fall semester.)
ELPS 542A. Meeting the Needs of All Students in Urban Schools (2)
Restricted to candidates admitted to the Accelerated Collaborative Teacher (ACT) Preparation Program. Prerequisites: Successful completion of all Fall semester coursework. Corequisites:
Multiple Subject Credential Candidates: EED 565S, EED 568ACT, EED 575; HSCI 465ELM; ELPS 542A; KIN 595PE.
Single Subject Credential Candidates: ELPS 542A; HSCI 466ADO; SED 521, SED 555.
Special Education Credential Candidates: ELPS 542A; SPED 402A, SPED 505MM, SPED 509MM, SPED 580ACT.
The second of two core courses in the ACT Program, this course is designed for elementary, secondary and special education teacher candidates and taught collaboratively by a team of University and school faculty. Building on the content introduced in the first core course related to educational equity, diversity and special populations, topics include developing as a reflective educator who considers the learning needs of all students; creating and managing effective and healthy classroom environments in urban schools; problem solving strategies to facilitate teaching and learning; instructional modifications and accommodations for students with disabilities in general education settings; issues related to diversity and multicultural education; and models of collaboration/consultation. Teacher candidates are provided activities and discussion that emphasize the link between theory and practice. (Offered Spring semester only.)
ELPS 600. Research in Educational Leadership (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. This course introduces students to education research concepts, methods and contributions to K12 and higher education practice, with an emphasis on how administrators can use research to inform decision making. It is designed to provide students with the foundations of educational research so that they will be able to understand basic research reports, evaluate practice in light of research and develop action research projects.
ELPS 600HE. Research Design in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course introduces students to education research concepts, methods and contributions to higher education practice, with an emphasis on how higher education leaders can use research to systematically investigate problems in college and university settings and inform decision making in institutional contexts. The course is designed to provide students with the foundations of educational research to support the development of knowledge and skills to understand research reports and evaluate practice in light of research.
ELPS 601HE. American Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course is designed for students to understand the nature, scope and function of higher education in the U.S., with an emphasis given to contemporary issues and problems. This seminar-designed class is structured to engage students in meaningful exploration of the continued evolution of American higher education and the major controversies that will shape the future of these institutions.
ELPS 641. Comparative Education (3)
Educational systems of selected developed and developing countries studied in cross-cultural perspective. Emphasis on problems in educational borrowing and educational change.
ELPS 650. Contemporary Administrative Leadership (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Designed to assist in the development of administrative leadership skills. Focus on the knowledge and application of leadership skills necessary in effective organizations, with special emphasis on schools. Topics of study include situational leadership, organizational climate and culture, individual and group motivation and transforming leadership as applied through school-based management, shared decision making, strategic planning, team building and total quality management. Includes discussion of current educational reform efforts and trends.
ELPS 650HE. Contemporary Administrative Leadership in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course is designed to assist in the development of administrative leadership skills. Focus is on the knowledge and application of leadership skills necessary in effective organizations with special emphasis on higher education. Topics of study include situational leadership, organizational climate and culture, individual and group motivation, and transformational leadership as applied through shared decision making, strategic planning, team building, and total quality management. This course will also include discussion of current educational reform efforts and trends. This course requires students to complete 2-4 hours of field-based experience.
ELPS 656HE. Diversity and Student Success in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course deals with current issues and challenges of diversity and student success in higher education. Emphasis is placed on understanding the overall educational experiences of diverse college student populations across various institutional settings. This course will require students to complete 2-4 hours of field-base experience.
ELPS 663. Legal Aspects of Educational Administration (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. General principles of American school law, with particular emphasis on California statutes. Consideration of the legal basis of federal, state and local administrative levels. Review of the salient legal provisions of the Education Code respecting administration of schools, the rights of patrons and employees, torts, contracts, certification, tenure, school plant planning, and the rights and obligations of pupils. Analysis and significance of major court decisions having implications for public education.
ELPS 663HE. Policy and Law in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course explores key topics in higher education public policy and law at the federal and state levels in their historical and contemporary contexts. It emphasizes topics that are relevant to California, including governance, access, equity, higher education and state economic development, K-16 planning and articulation, and accountability.
ELPS 664. The Business and Financial Aspects of Educational Administration (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Problems and principles of educational finance, with emphasis upon the California situation. Formulation and financing of the school budget. Legal provisions concerning school finance and business management. Basis and computation of state and local school support. Standard school business practices. General aspects of the planning, financing and construction of school buildings. Business management problems of individual schools.
ELPS 667HE. Organization and Administration of Community College Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course is designed for students to study the organization and administration of community colleges. The course focuses on the application of organizational theory to institutional practice in community colleges, the application of administrative policies and procedures in community college settings, and the study of historical patterns and emerging trends in the areas of faculty and staff, curriculum and instruction, facilities management, and community and government relationships.
ELPS 672. Management of Human Resources (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Seminar in the philosophy, scope, function and evaluation of public school personnel administration. Emphasis on the development of a practical program.
ELPS 673HE. Leadership for Managing Reform in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course is designed to support the development of knowledge and skills to plan for and manage institutional change in colleges and universities. The class includes focuses of historical and contemporary problems in postsecondary educational environments, strategies for managing change efforts in institutional settings in higher education, and emerging approaches to support and finance new programs intended to resolve pressing issues and persistent challenges in higher education. The class emphasizes the development of project proposals designed to address solutions to meet the needs of diverse constituent groups in higher educational settings.
ELPS 674HE. Higher Education Operations: Finance and Human Resources in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course is designed to help students understand the philosophy, scope, function and evaluation of postsecondary operations related to financial and human resources. The course covers general principles of American higher education finance and human resource administration with particular emphasis upon California law and practice. The course focuses on problems and principles of higher education finance and human resource administration with an emphasis on California. Further, the course examines public funding of community college and public universities in California. This course requires students to complete 2-4 hours of field-based experience.
ELPS 675. Decision Making Simulation (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Designed to provide experienced school administrators and graduate students in administration and supervision the opportunity to simulate the position of a school administrator and assume the leadership of a typical public school. Content is developed around the use of simulated materials and focuses on the individual students and their approach to realistic problems and situations faced by a school administrator. These responses are the basis for the students’ self-examination of their administrative behavior and enables them to capitalize upon strengths and ameliorate weaknesses.
ELPS 676. School Community Relations (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. The seminar is devoted to a study of the knowledge, dispositions and skills needed by educational administrators in order to understand and respond to diverse community interests and needs, collaborate effectively with families and community members, mobilize community resources to benefit students and families, and interpret the school to the public through a variety of media and modes.
ELPS 681. Organization and Administration of Elementary, Secondary and Special Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Organizational structure of elementary and secondary education in the schools, with a focus on site leadership. Particular emphasis given to the organization, administration and supervision of various types of special education programs as well as the internal organization, structure, cultural context and the administration of the school, and the role of the school principal. Emphasizing and encouraging personal responsibility for developing, articulating and refining the values, beliefs and assumptions that guide professional practice to maximize student learning.
ELPS 682. Supervision of Curriculum and Instruction (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program. Foundations and philosophies of curriculum and instructional supervision. Curriculum formation, organization and assessment. Principles of professional development for staff members. The role of various school personnel in improving teaching and learning. Elementary and secondary school levels included.
ELPS 684. Field Based Leadership (3)
This course is designed to support and coach students who have initiated their careers in school leadership positions and hold the Preliminary Credential in Educational Administration. Units of study include the knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective leader in strategic, instructional, organizational, political and community domains. Students receive instruction and coaching in the awareness and development of skills and knowledge needed for planning a collaborative vision and culture for learning; for organizational management; for work with families and community agencies; to model a code of ethics; for professional development; and to work within the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context. An induction plan is developed in conjunction with an on-site mentor and University advisor.
ELPS 685. Induction Plan (1)
A plan for the candidate’s induction. Individually designed by each student in consultation with a local school/district mentor and a faculty member from Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department. The plan provides, among other things, a description of the district support services available to the student, a plan for the completion of required academic coursework, identification of the local school/district mentor, and related professional growth activities.
ELPS 686. Assessment of Candidate Competency (1)
Assessment of Candidate Competence accomplished through a formal departmental evaluation process that includes four separate phases: (1) Faculty assessment of the candidate’s performance in all of the activities identified in the Induction Plan; (2) Consultation will take place with school/district mentoring partners; (3) Faculty review of the candidate’s portfolio compiled throughout their program of study; and (4) Exit interview at the conclusion of the candidate’s course of study.
ELPS 687A-Z. Selected Topics Courses (1-5)
Individually designed experiences by student in collaboration with faculty member and designated mentor. These elective credits may be satisfied by non-University based activities and/or electives from this or other departments.
ELPS 688. Fieldwork in Educational Administration (3)
Prerequisites: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Educational Administration and/or the CA Preliminary Administrative Services Credential program; completion of ELPS 600; teaching experience; 6 hours or less of coursework remaining in the program; and approval of the administrator of the school where the fieldwork is to be performed. Admission is by fieldwork application only, which may be obtained in the department office or online at www.csun.edu/education/elps. Application must be received by June 15 for consideration for the Fall semester and by December 15 for consideration for the Spring semester. The experience in this program is at the building site level and reflects, as much as possible, those functions, assignments and responsibilities characteristic of the principal’s office. Students assume a leadership role in implementing the Action Research Project designed in ELPS 600.
ELPS 688HE. Fieldwork in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course is designed to facilitate fieldwork in higher education administration with a focus on leadership through field research and professional experiences. Following ELPS 600HE where students develop skills to design and execute an action research project, the course focuses on both administrative and research fieldwork, with the use of data collection procedures typically utilized in both quantitative and qualitative research. The research fieldwork supports the development of knowledge and skills to gather information to support a systematic approach to problem solving in postsecondary educational environments. In addition, the administrative field experiences are in higher education settings, with a focus on leadership shadowing and participant observations in administrative settings. The course emphasizes applications of research design and procedures in institutional contexts in colleges and universities and focuses on systematic approaches to gathering information in the field and the development of leadership skills in real-life educational settings.
ELPS 689. Practicum Administration (1)
Prerequisites: Valid administrative credential; Administrative position; Approval of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Admission is by preliminary application only. These may be obtained in the department office. Applications must be received by April 1 for consideration for the Fall semester and by November 1 for consideration for the Spring semester. Individualized program jointly developed for each student by the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in consultation with the student and the student’s employing school district. Provides opportunities to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the 8 competency domains in Educational Administration.
ELPS 690HE. Research Analysis in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisite: This course is restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership program. This course prepares students to understand the nature, assumptions, and logic of quantitative and qualitative research design and analysis. The course will build on concepts learned in ELPS 600HE and ELPS 688HE by extending on issues of design, conceptualization, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative research procedures. The aim of this course is to help students acquire skills and gain experience in using a variety of research techniques for the purposes of understanding and making sense of educational issues.
ELPS 695A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses in Educational Administration (1-6)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Experimental topics courses in educational administration will be offered as the availability of staff and extent of student background allow.
ELPS 697. Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
Preparatory: Restricted to and required of M.A. degree candidates in the semester in which they take the comprehensive examination for the degree.
ELPS 697HE. Directed Comprehensive Studies (3)
Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Arts degree program in Higher Education Leadership; All coursework must be completed prior to or during the semester in which the candidate will take Directed Comprehensive Studies. This course is the culminating experience for candidates in the Master of Arts degree program in Higher Education Leadership. Directed Comprehensive Studies is an assessment of the candidate’s understanding and mastery of the organization, governance structures, funding resources, change and reform, student access, and research issues in higher education administration. Directed Comprehensive Studies is comprised of two parts: (1) Response to a case scenario, (2) Analysis of a research study. (Credit/No Credit only)
ELPS 698CHE. Culminating Experience in Higher Education (3)
Prerequisites: Successful completion of ELPS 690HE. The option and courses are restricted to candidates who have been admitted to the Master’s in Educational Administration in the Higher Education program. This course prepares students for the culminating experience in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies M.A. Program in Higher Education. This course follows ELPS 690 (Research Analysis in Higher Education) and focuses on the significant revision, completion, and dissemination of students’ Graduate Project proposed in ELPS 600 and developed in ELPS 688 and ELPS 690. Students will also practice the tools and skills of research dissemination in professional educational settings. Students will develop a data communication and dissemination plan to engage appropriate stakeholders on the findings and implications of their Graduate Projects.
ELPS 699X-Z. Independent Study (1-3)
Independent Study
ELPS 700. The Art of Collaborative Leadership (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course provides educational leaders with the tools to establish and enhance their own leadership skills in P12 school/district- or community-college settings. Students study and apply the literature of collaborative leadership, including team building, visioning, inspiring, and empowering constituents and stakeholders connected to the learning organization.
ELPS 705. Organizational Complexity and Change (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course focuses on school/district or community colleges as complex and dynamic organizations. It emphasizes the ways in which educational leaders use knowledge of organizational theory to improve management decisions, facilitate organizational change and achieve positive outcomes for students.
ELPS 710. Curricular and Instructional Leadership for Systemic Reform (6)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course focuses on leadership for effective teaching and learning in contemporary P12 schools or community colleges. It includes advanced-level study of the nature of students, the nature of the curriculum to be taught and the fostering of instructional practices that improve learning for all students.
ELPS 715. Leading Change Through Cultural Competence (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course assists in the development of culturally competent leaders in diverse educational settings. Students develop knowledge, skills and dispositions necessary to promote policies and practices that value difference and ensure equity in effective organizations. Special emphasis is given to culturally and linguistically diverse populations in P12 schools or community colleges.
ELPS 720. Postsecondary Finance and Enrollment Management (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. (Community College cohort only.) This course provides an overview of postsecondary finance and fiscal management. It is a study of basic principles of business management, finance and budgeting practices in community colleges. It addresses issues, challenges and policy implications of revenue and enrollment trends.
ELPS 725. Instructional Assessment and Program Evaluation (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course includes study of instructional assessment and program evaluation for effective educational leadership. Emphasis is given to an examination of measures of student achievement and accountability systems.
ELPS 730. Public Policy in Education (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. (P12 cohort only.) This course examines the context for policy making and the process of policy development and implementation. It includes the study of organizational structures for educational decision making at the federal, state, county and local levels, with emphasis on how and where influence can be exerted.
ELPS 735. Law and Policy in Postsecondary Education (3)
Prerequisites: Admission to doctoral program in Educational Leadership (Community College cohort only.) This course covers general principles of American school law with particular emphasis on California statutes and community-college regulations. It includes review of the major federal, state and local laws and regulations, and an analysis of significant court decisions having implications for public postsecondary education.
ELPS 740. Entrepreneurship in Public Education (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course examines developments and promising practices in educational entrepreneurship and community partnerships. Students learn professional skills, such as grant writing, collaborative planning, presentation delivery and marketing. An emphasis is placed on working effectively with a variety of stakeholders across the public and private sectors to improve public P14 schools.
ELPS 745. The Science of Administration (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course focuses on school/district or community college management strategies and issues. It is designed to help the administrator work within the organization to translate a shared vision into strategic and operational plans and to effectively manage people and resources at advanced levels of leadership.
ELPS 750. The Ethical Dimensions of Leadership (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course provides educational administrators an ethical and moral foundation that will both ground and inform their practice. Through examining moral contexts, exploring case studies involving ethical dilemmas and applying ethical principles and decision-making formats, students develop an understanding of the importance of shared ethical norms in public schooling and clarify their personal beliefs regarding a variety of ethical issues in leadership.
ELPS 755. Human Relations in Educational Organizations (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course enhances the effective management of human relations in collaborative organizational contexts. As the capstone course in the Doctoral Program, it addresses both self-awareness and increased understanding of others.
ELPS 760. Field Based Inquiry I (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. Doctoral students are guided in designing and conducting an intensive, field-based inquiry related to organizational change efforts to improve student achievement in P12 schools or community colleges. Students develop or enhance hands-on administrative skills in action research, collaborative problem solving, program planning and professional presentation.
ELPS 765. Field Based Inquiry II (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership; Successful completion of Field Based Inquiry I. (P12 cohort only.) Doctoral students complete their field-based inquiry related to organizational change efforts to improve student achievement, and present their findings in a seminar session.
ELPS 770. Applied Quantitative Inquiry I (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course provides an introduction to concepts, principles and methods of quantitative research in education. Problem identification, research design, data collection techniques and interpretation of research findings are addressed. Critical analysis of relevant research literature is emphasized.
ELPS 775. Applied Quantitative Inquiry II (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership; Successful completion of Applied Quantitative Inquiry I. This course is an advanced seminar for students who plan to use mainly quantitative research methods for their dissertation. It guides them through the process of designing a meaningful, manageable quantitative study, as well as advanced techniques in data collection, analysis and reporting.
ELPS 780. Applied Qualitative Inquiry I (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. This course is an overview of qualitative approaches to educational research that can be applied to educational leadership for school improvement. Students learn to be critical consumers of the qualitative research literature and to use basic qualitative research methods. Action research and qualitative approaches to the dissertation process are also discussed.
ELPS 785. Applied Qualitative Inquiry II (3)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership; Successful completion of Applied Qualitative Inquiry I. This course is an advanced seminar for students who plan to use mainly qualitative research methods for their dissertation. It guides them through the process of designing a meaningful, manageable qualitative study, as well as advanced techniques in qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting.
ELPS 789. Dissertation Seminar (2)
Prerequisite: Admission to the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership; Advancement to Candidacy. Students work under the guidance of their advisor to complete requirements for the dissertation. Includes independent work as well as dissertation seminars. Minimum of 12 dissertation seminar units are required in the program. May be repeated for credit. Students must be enrolled every semester after admission to Candidacy until they successfully defend their dissertation.