The Draft Model refers to a revised model of the current Educational Administration, Masters in Education (EDEA MEd) in Higher Education curriculum. I am proposing modifications to the EDEA MEd curriculum. Currently, the University of Hawaii at Manoa offers five different pathways or programs in Educational Administration. Three of these five pathways are PhD programs, and two are Masters tracks. The PhD programs include Educational Foundations and Educational Policy Studies, Educational Administration in Higher Education, and Educational Administration in K-12. The Masters programs include MEd in Educational Administration of Higher Education, and MEd in Educational Administration of K-12. The Masters programs are geared towards students and professionals interested in middle management positions and include coursework in “leadership, policy and finance, legal issues, organizational theory, curriculum, students, and research,” (University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2017). To accommodate adult students and professionals, courses are offered at night. Although the curriculum is generally sound, I believe further instruction in public policy analysis, political philosophy, human resources, leadership, and administration would be helpful. More importantly, two areas of interest seem noticeably absent: the use of technology in education, and the importance of diversity and cross-cultural communications.

Some of these courses can and should be elective, to account for different student interests in applying their degree to the educational sector. Public policy impacts education, and political philosophies in turn impact public policy. Understanding the context of education, and how to apply big picture analysis will help future education administrators contribute more fully to...

I also believe that more research-oriented approaches will help ground educational policy in evidence rather than relying on assumptions and norms. Also, my draft model will include elective coursework in financial administration given that many education administrators will be developing budgets for their institutions. Finally, mandatory courses in educational technologies and cultural literacy or cultural competency will help the administrators of the future.
Draft Model: Informal Paper

For the MEd in Educational Administration (both K-12 and Higher Education), a minimum of 36 credits is required, including the following course domains:

· EDEA 657 Introduction to Higher Education

· EDEA 602 Research in Educational Administration

· One additional research course (EDEA 604 or 629)

· One 700 level EDEA seminar

· At least one course in higher education institutions (e.g., EDEA 646, 650, 662)

· At least two courses in leadership (e.g., EDEA 642, 660, 661, 663)

· At least one course in legal/fiscal issues (e.g., EDEA 620HE, 630HE)

· Up to two elective courses from a related field (approved by advisor) or additional units in EDEA as needed

· Plan A thesis (6 units) or Plan B project (3 units)

Proposed Changes:

1. Retain the introductory course, but add introductory courses in Policy, Administrative Finance, and the Political Philosophy of Education. A broad and multidisciplinary approach will appeal to EDEA students who are interested in different dimensions of education. Some students will opt to pursue careers in educational policy at the state or federal level.…