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Those on the path to become principals and superintendents in Arizona now have the option of enrolling in the UA's educational leadership program's hybrid option.

By University Communications
October 30, 2009

Educators who aspire to be principals or superintendents can now enroll in a hybrid distance learning option via the University of Arizona's Educational Leadership Program.

Geared toward people who already have graduate degrees in education, the hybrid program prepares students for leadership roles at the district, state and national levels.

“The hybrid option will include coursework offered online, using Web-based chat rooms, discussion forums and blogs and several face-to-face meetings throughout the students' program," said J. Robert Hendricks, who chairs the College of Education's educational policy studies and practice department.

Hendricks' department, which is comprised of the educational leadership program and the Center for the Study of Higher Education, administers the program.

He noted that hybrid option is unique because it combines the Web-based tools and occassional face-to-face meetings in one program.

The program's curriculum is designed to provide a theoretical grounding and a practical knowledge while also involving the graduate students in research and internships.

“A driving force behind expanding the traditional classroom-based certification program was to make it more accessible to aspiring educational leaders throughout the state," said Lynnette Brunderman, who coordinates the hybrid program and has visited districts throughout southern Arizona to talk about the program options. 

Brunderman said the College of Education program prepares scholar-practitioners for leadership roles within all levels of public education to better serve students, teachers, parents and the community in an increasingly complex educational environment.

She noted that the program's instructors include UA faculty and superintendents and principals from around the state.

Students, she added, have had "high praise" for the hybrid courses. One teacher, she said, reported that a course she took was "the right mix of online discussion and face-to-face meetings.”

The hybrid program is offered in addition to the classroom-based master's program, which has been offered at the UA for several years. The program also offers a program for doctoral students.

The program is accepting applications for the master's program through April. Coursework in the master's program covers topics and disciplines including finance, personnel, supervision, law and ethics. To earn a master's, students must complete 36 units, 21 of which are core courses for certification. 

Hendricks said having both the traditional and hybrid options "gives flexibility in building a program for students that meets their needs." He noted that about half the program's students seeking certificaiton are enrolled in both classroom and hybrid courses.