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The goals of the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study 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 ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ 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 ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ 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-masters degree program of study preparing educators to seek an educational administrative credential in Maine through the Department of Education. This program has been designed to offer high-quality, cost-effective, and innovative curricula delivered through an online format. This program requires completion of ten (10) post-masters degree courses (thirty (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).

Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study

The ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ offers a thirty (30)-credit certificate program that allows 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.

Thirty (30) Credit Certificate in Advanced Graduate Study

Select any ten (10) of the electives listed below. Students also have the option to add EDU 791/792 – Internship I and II to the curriculum.

At the discretion of the program, students may be awarded a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) if they have successfully completed thirty (30) credits or more of 800-level courses within the Doctor of Education (EdD) program at the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ.

Note: this CAGS is not an approved program for administrative certification in Maine. For ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's approved administrator preparation program see CAGS: Advanced Educational Leadership. Please contact your state’s Department of Education for specific certification requirements.

Electives

With prior approval, students can take up to three (3) interprofessional courses within the College of Professional Studies.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 p.m. of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean’s Office. 

Course Withdrawal Policy

Add/Drop Period

A student may add or drop a course during the time frames published on the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ Academic Calendar. Courses dropped during the add/drop period will not appear on a student’s official transcript.

Course Withdrawal Period

A student may withdraw from a course after the add/drop period has ended through the designated withdrawal deadline, which is approximately at the 60% point of the course's length. The withdrawal period for each semester and session is published on the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ Academic Calendar.

Grade for the Course Withdrawal

A course withdrawal during the withdrawal period results in a grade of W, which will appear on a student’s official transcript. The grade of W is awarded only if a student has submitted a completed Course Withdrawal Form to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline. A W grade does not impact the term or cumulative GPA.

Consultation Before a Course Withdrawal

Before deciding to withdraw from a course, students must consult their Program/Academic Director and are encouraged to discuss the situation with the instructor. 

International students must obtain the approval of the Office of Global Education, as withdrawals may affect visa status.

Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits. 

Course Withdrawal Process

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must submit a Course Withdrawal Form, signed by their Program/Academic Director and Office of Global Education (if applicable), to the Registrar’s Office before the Course Withdrawal deadline.

Ceasing to attend classes or notifying the instructor does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Late Withdrawal

Requests to withdraw from a course after the withdrawal period will only be considered in extreme circumstances. To request a late withdrawal, a student must consult with their Program/Academic Director and submit a completed Academic Petition stating the extenuating circumstances and a letter of support from an advisor, faculty member, or Program/Academic Director to the College’s Dean’s Office offering the course for consideration. 

If approved, a W grade will appear on the transcript, not impacting the GPA calculations.

Late withdrawal petitions must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the last day of the class.

Note: All deadlines, procedures, and policies related to course withdrawal are subject to the guidelines specified on the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ Academic Calendar.

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 (2) 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 (1) of the following:

• Surrender of a teacher license in any jurisdiction for disciplinary reasons.
• Documented academic dishonesty (This also includes course online 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 (2) 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 (2) 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 (5) years old may not be accepted for credit in the program.

Financial Aid

Gainful Employment Program Disclosure (PDF)

Students will learn 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 setting

Upon acceptance, students may apply to transfer up to three (3) courses (maximum of nine (9) 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. Transfer credit is awarded at the discretion of The College of 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. Course(s) must:

• Be classified as graduate level.
• Be completed after master’s degree conferral.
• Be taken at a regionally accredited institution
• Be worth three (3) credits.
• Have been taken within five (5) years of application.
• Have been completed with a grade of B or better.
• Be equivalent to one (1) 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.
• Applications are reviewed holistically as a determination of academic readiness. The admissions committee values previous academic performance as indicated on transcripts and considers it as part of the review process.
• Employed in an educational setting or ability to regularly access an environment where you can apply course concepts and strategies.
• Computer with an 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: 
• Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Goal Statement / Writing Sample
• Two (2) professional/academic references
• Official transcripts reflecting conferral of a master’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. 

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 ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ’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 Professional Studies, either electronically or sent to 716 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME, 04103.
• 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 ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ must be able to understand and communicate in English to be admitted to the university.  ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ accepts several methods of English Proficiency, see International Admissions. If applicable, the  requirement must be completed and score received by the application deadline.
• All materials submitted as part of the application become the property of ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ and will not be returned or released to anyone, including the applicant. This policy includes letters of reference, primary and secondary applications, personal statements, transcripts, and other supporting materials.

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

Policy Exceptions

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study program and the CAGS Admissions Committee in collaboration with the College of Professional Studies reserves 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.