School of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Policy

PCLA Frequently Asked Questions

1.   I have already earned a Master's degree in another program or am currently enrolled in another Master's program. Will it transfer?

2.   Do I have to take the courses listed, or can I substitute other courses?

3.   If I already have a Master's degree in Education, do I need to apply to the Master's degree of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision in order to participate in the Principalship Cohort Leadership Academy and later apply for an administrative license?

4.   What courses will I be enrolled in as a cohort student?

5.   Can I start early or change the course sequence to finish in less time?

6.   When do classes meet and will courses in the Fall and Spring and Summer semesters always be offered on the same day of the week?

7.    Will I have to write a thesis or take comprehensive exams?

8.    Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?

9.    Is there any financial assistance available?

10. How do I learn about upcoming cohorts and locations?

11.  What steps do I need to complete to apply for an off-campus cohort program?

1.   I have already earned a Master's degree in another program or am currently enrolled in another Master's program. Will it transfer?
   Courses taken at another institution or at BGSU in another program will count if the courses are the same as are required for the degree or licensure and are approved by the Program Coordinator and Licensing Officer in Educational Administration and Supervision (EALS). If the courses are for the Master's program, they must have been taken within the last five years. BGSU will take no more than 9 hours of post baccalaureate courses and are subject to approval by the program and Graduate College. 
   
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2.   Do I have to take the courses listed, or can I substitute other courses?
   
   The courses needed for the Masters in Education Administration and for licensure are determined in advance and must be taken. There are limited substitutions but they must be approved by EDAS Program Coordinator before the substitution is made.
   
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3.   If I already have a Master's degree in Education, do I need to apply to the Master's degree of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision in order to participate in the Principalship Cohort Leadership Academy and later apply for an administrative license?
   
   While some of the course work from your earned master's may count toward administrative licensure requirements, there will be enough educational administration ourse work remaining that pursuing another degree is in order.  
   If you already have a Master's degree in something other than Educational Administration, then you should apply for the Specialist's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision (Ed.S.).  
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4.   What courses will I be enrolled in as a PCLA cohort student?

5. Click here for a list of typical cohort courses.
   
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5.   If I am in a PCLA cohort, can I start early or change the course sequence to finish in less time?
   
   In order to be eligible for the fee waiver, cohort members are required to take the courses as they are scheduled for their cohort group.
   
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6.   When do PCLA classes meet and will courses in the Fall and Spring and Summer semesters always be offered on the same day of the week?
7. Fall, Spring, and Summer classes normally meet on Wednesday evenings, once a week for four hours, 12 weeks per semester. Every effort will be made to schedule all Fall, Spring, and Summer classes on Wednesday nights. Summer courses may be in a variety of formats. The first summer session usually runs April-June, one evening per week for 12-week. The second summer session usually includes two classes that meet twice each week during the day for 6 weeks. Occasionally an online course is offered as part of the program.

   Numerous factors affect scheduling, including, but not limited to, instructor availability, and the number of courses taken in a semester. No guarantees can be made regarding scheduling.
   
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7.   Will I have to write a thesis or take comprehensive exams?
   
   At minimum, you will have to take and pass a comprehensive exam at the end of the second year to receive your master's degree. Students do have the option to write and defend a thesis. Students that pursue this option often do so with the intent of strengthening their research skills and vita for doctoral work.
   
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8.   Do I have to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?
   
   Yes. Students are required to take the GRE in order to be considered for admissions into our Master's program in Educational Administration. The admissions committee prefers applicants to have an 800+ (or 280+ with the new GRE) on the combined verbal/quantitative portions. Remember that, no action will be taken on your application for admission until all application materials are received.
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9.   Is there any financial assistance available?
   
   Students who are interested in financial, should contact the office of Student Financial Aid at https://sfa.bgsu.edu/sa/sfaconnect/tutorial.asp . More information can also be found at http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sfa/
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10.   How do I learn about upcoming cohorts and locations?
    
    Once a location for an off-campus site is chosen, an informational dinner for educators is advertised and held in the area. If you are unable to attend the informational dinner, you may contact Jeannine Ware at jiware@bgsu.edu
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11.   What steps do I need to complete to apply for an off-campus cohort program?
    
    Click here for application instructions.
    
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