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Vocational Administrative Director

Program Description:

This graduate certification program is based on vocational program standards established by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. It requires study and experience in (a) the history and foundations of career and technical education; (b) administration and management of secondary and adult career and technical education programs; (c) business and finance, physical facilities, and school law; (d) curriculum development and instructional leadership; (e) personnel development and supervision of personnel; (f) communications and public relations; and (g) development of linkages with business and industry.

The program combines formal course work with an extensive internship in a career and technical school and in the comprehensive secondary high-school setting. During the internship, a candidate for certification works as an administrator under the direction of a Resident Leadership Resource Person (RLRP) and a Temple University supervising teacher educator.

Students enrolled in the Director's program who have completed Temple's Comprehensive Career and technical education Supervisor certification program will be exempt from several experiences, as the Supervisor's and Director's programs are fully articulated. An individualized program will be developed for each candidate upon his or her admission.

Admission to the Program:

Students are admitted to the program for either the Fall or Spring semester. Applications are processed two months before the start of each semester. Students who do not meet the application deadline can expect their applications to be processed during the following semester.

Individuals seeking admission must submit:

• A formal application (to receive an application form, call (215) 204-8374)
• Official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate courses and evidence of having completed a graduate degree or having been accepted at Temple for a graduate degree
• A letter of recommendation from a vocational administrative director or a school superintendent
• Scores on the Miller Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
• A copy of their latest professional certificate
• A resume
• A copy of Praxis scores

An interview is also required for admission.

Program Requirements:

The minimum requirements for admission to the program are:

• A graduate degree or acceptance into a graduate degree program at Temple University
• A graduate grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0, or an undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.5 (C+)
• A strong letter of support from a vocational administrative director or a school superintendent
• An MAT/GRE score appropriate to the GPA
• A successful interview

Course Requirements:

In order to be accepted into the internship/seminar part of the program, candidates must complete the following courses (or their equivalents) with no less than a 3.0 GPA:

 

CTE 5423	Administration and Supervision of Career/Technical Education
CTE 8501	Curriculum Development in Career/Technical Education
CTE 8507	History and Principles of Career/Technical Education
CTE 8521	Public Relations for Career/Technical Education
CTE 8527	Program Planning and Evaluation in Career/Technical Education
CTE 8528	Conference Leadership and Discussion Methods
EA 5641	School Finance
CTE 9885	Internship in Career/Technical Education
EA 5661	Personnel Administration
EA 5771	School Law
EA 8785	Collective Negotiations

 

 

During the course-completion phase of the program, candidates are expected to schedule appointments with their advisors at least once each semester.

Written Assessment:

A comprehensive examination is scheduled upon completion of all course work. This exam, which usually takes two to three hours to complete, draws from all content areas circumscribed by the program standards mentioned in the first paragraph of this document and will require candidates to be versed in contemporary supervisory theory and its application. Only those candidates who successfully complete the assessment will be permitted to participate in the internship.

Internship Requirement: (CTE 9685)

Candidates who complete course requirements with no less than a 3.0 GPA and who successfully complete the comprehensive assessment will be permitted to enroll in the supervisory internship. Because only ten students are admitted to the internship component of the program each semester, the application for an internship must be submitted at the beginning of the semester in which the candidate registers for the last required course. Candidates should also submit the completed Application for Internship. When they register for their last course.

Applicants must provide evidence that specific schools (Career and technical and comprehensive high schools) are willing to sponsor an internship and that an administrator in each school is willing to function in the role of RLRP. Interns must recognize that the internship will last for at least one semester and will continue until all the competencies associated with the Comprehensive Career and Technical Education Supervisor Certificate program have been attained.

Small Group Meetings:

Meeting with a Temple faculty member and other interns throughout the internship semester

Oral Assessment:

After having successfully completed the internship and seminar, candidates will be examined orally by a Council of Educators Review Board (COE). This assessment will address leadership, sensitivity, scholarship, problem solving, decision making and human relations issues. The oral exam taps the same content areas as those described in the written assessment section.

The COE experience provides candidates with an opportunity to interact with practicing career and technical leadership professionals. In addition, it affords incumbent professionals an opportunity to gauge the preparation of prospective vocational leadership professionals. Portfolios developed during the internship are also discussed during the oral assessment.

Program Completion and Certification:

Candidates who complete all program requirements, hold a master's degree and who meet other Pennsylvania certification requirements will be recommended for the Comprehensive Vocational Administrative Director Certificate.

 

Contact Information:

Michael G. Erwin, PhD, Advisor
Center for Professional Development in Career & Technical Education
215-204-8383

mgerwin@temple.edu