Sheridan Center for Graduate Studies: M.A. in Classical Leadership
The Master of Arts in Classical Leadership degree program provides emerging leaders in Catholic education with formation in the great works of the Western intellectual tradition, an essential understanding of classical liberal arts pedagogy, and the practical wisdom necessary for successful school leadership. The flexible course delivery during the school year as well as the affordable tuition make this program unique and well-suited for educators who are working full-time. As part of Benedictine College’s vision for transforming culture in America, the Sheridan Center for Classical Studies offers this graduate degree in classical school leadership to support those engaged in the renewal of liberal arts education.
The Master of Arts in Classical Leadership is a 36-credit degree program, offered in six (6) consecutive semesters starting each summer. This program includes six (6) credits in the foundational principles and history of classical education, 19 credits in the practice of school leadership, and 11 credits in classical traditions and pedagogy. In addition, all candidates will create a portfolio of professional work demonstrating their understanding of and practical skill in applying school leadership concepts within a classical, liberal arts setting.
Goals
- Graduates will understand the faculties of the human person within a Catholic anthropology and articulate how this understanding serves as a foundational principle in classical education.
- Graduates will demonstrate how anthropology determines pedagogy through evaluation of educational philosophies and their efficacy for educating the whole person.
- Graduates will apply foundational principles of classical education to pedagogical practices across disciplines and grade levels through study of classical methods and works in the classical tradition.
- Graduates will demonstrate the ability to apply best practices in school leadership in accord with the philosophical foundations and practical principles of the classical education movement.
Outcomes
- The leader understands the nature of the human person, particularly the faculties of memory, intellect, and will, that are perfected through intellectual and moral virtues whose formation constitutes the core of education.
- The leader articulates the importance and nobility of teaching as a professional vocation resulting from a Catholic anthropology of the human person and the Church’s teaching on the universal right to education.
- The leader understands the principles of classical education and how they emerged historically.
- The leader evaluates other educational models and theories considering the anthropology of the human person to determine continuity or rupture with principles of classical education.
- The leader understands principles of classical education in a variety of subject areas and grade levels, making use of pedagogical tools appropriate to a given lesson or context.
- The leader demonstrates the ability to coach others in the development of different tools in classical pedagogy across a variety of subject areas and grade levels.
- The leader exemplifies ongoing development of intellectual and moral virtues through meaningful study of and reflection on the outstanding works in the Western tradition.
- The leader understands theory and best practices for school management, including engagement of and communication with staff, board members, parents, and community members.
- The leader applies an understanding of the dignity of the human person and its manifestation in a great diversity of stakeholders within a school system, including students, parents, teachers, support staff, board members, and the broader community.
- The leader demonstrates the ability to apply theory, principles, and best practices in the administration of a classical school.
The Master of Arts in Classical Leadership program seeks to form candidates in the foundational principles of classical education, to introduce them to the enduring questions of humanity through reading and discussing the great works of the Western tradition, and to instruct them in both pedagogical methods and practical skills for school leadership.
New cohorts begin each summer. Applications open on September 1 and close on April 1 for the upcoming summer.
Admission Eligibility and Criteria
Candidates seeking admission to this program must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Candidate possesses 3 - 5 years of teaching experience;
- Candidate holds an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited institution;
- Candidate maintained a minimum GPA of 2.75 for the most recent degree earned; and
- Candidate demonstrates sufficient analytical and written skills through completion of application essay prompt.
Degree Requirements
- Students must complete 36 credit hours of course work within six (6) calendar years from the date of initial enrollment.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 must be attained in all graduate work.
- Degree candidates must successfully complete portfolio requirements under the supervision of the program director.
Course Format and Delivery
Most courses are delivered online through Benedictine College’s course management system. Online courses include a blend of synchronous and asynchronous work. Two courses are delivered ONLY in-person during the summer institute, which occurs in July for the first summer of the program and late June for the second summer. Housing for the summer institute is available through Benedictine College.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Principles (6 credits) | 6 | |
| Education & the Human Person | ||
| History & Theory Classical Education | ||
| Foundation in School Leadership (19 credits) | 19 | |
| Models & Strat Instructional Leadership | ||
| School Leadership, Management & Finance | ||
| Supervision in Education | ||
| Educational Law | ||
| Partnering With Parents & the Community | ||
| Educational Leadership | ||
| Foundation in Classical Education (11 credits minimum) | ||
| One 3-credit course in Classical Traditions; | ||
| CLST-6110 | Classical Tradition in the Ancient World | 3 |
| or CLST-6120 | Classical Tradition in the Medieval Worl | |
| or CLST-6130 | Classical Traditn in the Renaissance Wrl | |
| One 3-credit course in Classical Methods | ||
| CLST-5115 | Classical Methods of Reading | 3 |
| or CLST-5125 | Classical Methods for Mathematics | |
| Remaining 5 credits may be fulfilled by any CLST course not already taken | 5 | |
| Classical Methods of Reading | ||
| Classical Methods for Mathematics | ||
| Classical Methods for Sciences | ||
| Classical Methods Geography & History | ||
| Classical Method Teach Catholic Faith | ||
| Classical Methods for Language Instructi | ||
| Classical Tradition in the Ancient World | ||
| Classical Tradition in the Medieval Worl | ||
| Classical Traditn in the Renaissance Wrl | ||
| Classical Tradition in the Modern World | ||
| CLST-6688 | Portfolio | NULL |
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Portfolio Requirements
Each student will create a portfolio to serve as evidence of each student’s mastery of our program’s goals and learning objectives. Moreover, this portfolio provides each student with clear documentation of his or her understanding of the foundational principles and pedagogy of the classical, liberal arts tradition as well as the practical skills needed for school leadership.