The Certificate in Urban Educational Leadership (CUEL) is designed to prepare candidates to serve as high-performing transformative leaders within urban schools and districts. Created for candidates pursuing the principalship and supervisory positions, this certification is based on best practices, aligned to the national Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) as well as the Michigan Standards for the Preparation of Central Office and Building Administrators. The CUEL program will provide an invigorating learning experience that synergistically combines rigorous academic work with on-going practiced-based learning experiences. A significant emphasis is placed on real-world case studies and simulations that help candidates develop the skills, competencies, and mindsets necessary for successful educational leadership in an urban environment. Candidates will leverage their lived experience while exploring current research and best practices in the areas of leadership, curriculum, instruction and assessment, entrepreneurship, school law, human capital management, educational policy and related areas of study.
Principal Certification is available through the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA).
Admission Checklist:
In order to qualify:
• Fill out the Davenport Application for Admission.
• Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or above with a 3.0 GPA.
• Two (2) signed professional recommendation forms and one personal recommendation form are required.
• A current resume/CV must be submitted and it should include prior employment experience, educational background, and any organizational affiliations.
• Statement of purpose (refer to the statement of purpose form in the admission packet).
• Participate in an interview with the College of Urban Education (CUE) Admission Committee – to be scheduled by Davenport upon sub-mission of the completed application.
This course introduces candidates to contemporary and classic theories of leadership. Additionally, this course examines the replacement of trait-based leadership theories by research-based practices in the educational context. The topics explored in this course are drawn from multidisciplinary perspectives, including psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program
This course will give candidates the strategies necessary to develop and sustain inclusive, equity-focused schools and systems. Candidates will gain understanding of how the intersection of race, identity, power, and privilege in our society impacts urban schools. Methods to identify inequitable structures and practices reflecting the legacy of racism and other forms of exclusion will be introduced. Candidates will learn strategies for building school culture, curriculum, and programs that include strengths-based instruction, cultural competency and effective communication with all stakeholders resulting in family and community engagement. Candidates will develop the capabilities to do this critical work within schools and urban educational systems. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program
Candidates in this course will examine effective methods of school leadership based on data that impacts instruction, school culture and managing leadership teams. This course also examines the political and cultural context of educational reform and innovation efforts in urban districts and charter management organizations over the past decade. Candidates will compare the perspectives of several school and district leaders who helped lead the reform efforts in large and diverse urban districts and those of critics of the reform movement. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program
3
Business Essentials for Urban Schools and District Administrators
This course is designed to introduce candidates to the whole spectrum of traditional human resources’ responsibilities and major functions and to grapple with the organizational challenges that have emerged in urban school districts due to poorly functioning HR systems, and challenges with labor and reactionary management. Topics will include intentional recruitment of a diverse workforce, effective candidate screening and selection processes, onboarding, performance management and evaluation, compensation, career progression and employee and labor relations. Additionally, candidates will learn how to transform an urban school or district’s human resource management function into a more strategic and integrated component of a district’s overall approach to improving student achievement. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program
In this course, candidates will be introduced to successful reform strategies and best practices that address how time, resources, and responsibilities can be allocated in urban schools and districts. Candidates will determine how each of these strategies can be managed politically and communicated to stakeholders. Exploration of strategic frameworks including strategic decision making and analysis of complex systems, structures and problems from multiple stakeholder perspectives will take place from a socio-economic and a socio-political context. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program
Contact the Urban Education Program Department Chair at least one semester prior to enrolling to begin the internship placement process.
The internship is the collection of the 100-hour minimum supervised leadership experience hours through the key assessments designed to provide students with opportunities to make connections between the theory and practice of academic study and the practical application of that study in a professional work environment. The fieldwork and internship hours are provided in each course for the Certificate of Urban Educational Leadership. The department chair shall receive the internship hours and confirm for submission of completion. This course is graded as pass/fail. A criminal background check and drug screening may be required by the Internship site. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): UEDU622, UEDU710, UEDU735, UEDU744, UEDU753, UEDU796
Candidates in this course will explore the need for schools to establish their own internal systems and professional cultures to improve student outcomes and develop their own systems for leading the instructional core in context. Candidates will learn how to evaluate the learning experience of students in classrooms and the implications of these experiences for the instructional core. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program