MS in Education with a specialization in Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) Program Field Experience Handbook:

Introduction

Welcome to the field experience component of Walden University’s MS in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) program, a 6-quarter course of study designed to give candidates the knowledge, skills, professional dispositions, and experiences that will position them to carry out the roles and responsibilities of a school principal in promoting the success of all students. Candidates’ field experience, with its emphasis on a rich, diverse set of activities and collaboration with colleagues and mentors, is key to meeting this professional objective.

This handbook describes the structure of the field experiences and the policies a principal candidate must follow to be successful. For more information about the program, candidates should refer to the MS in Education With a Specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) Program Candidate Handbook. Note: Walden University reserves the right to make program changes as needed to help ensure the highest-quality program.

Important note: This guidebook refers to the Walden University Catalog and the Walden University Student Handbook for specific information on university policies and courses. Please be sure to access these resources for reference.

Research has shown that the most productive introduction to the art and craft of school leadership is through experiential, hands-on activities in school settings and effective mentoring by experienced school leaders. 

“… aspiring principals relied heavily on mentoring and modeling to learn the craft of the principalship” (Littky & Schen, 2003, p. 89). 

Rather than university classrooms, Littky and Schen (2003) see the schools as the true learning arena for new principals (p. 90; see Footnote 1).

At the conclusion of a candidate’s field experience, steeped in real-world experiences, they will have established the strong connections among research, theory, and practice that result in competence, confidence, and a readiness to take on the challenge of leadership for learning.

The field experience activities for this principal preparation program are based on the Minnesota Board of School Administrators Core Leadership and Principal Competencies, the Ohio Principal Standards, and the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) Program Recognition Standards. Before continuing, candidates following the Minnesota track should review the Minnesota competencies and NELP standards carefully, and candidates following the Ohio track should review the Ohio Principal Standards and NELP standards carefully. Candidates following the Minnesota track also should review the Minnesota Code of Ethics for School Administrators, and candidates following the Ohio track also should review the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators. The Minnesota and Ohio competencies, standards, and codes of conduct, as well as the NELP standards, are located in the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership and Administration Principal Candidate Handbook.