The purpose of this initiative is to enable your diocese to develop and retain its Catholic school system’s most promising leaders.
Catholic Extension Society has engaged in a partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Catholic School Leadership Academy to offer a graduate level virtual online Certificate in Catholic School Administration program to novice and prospective leaders in Catholic schools in your Extension Dioceses. Although leadership development is often identified as a strategic concern for Catholic Schools in Extension Dioceses, these schools often lack opportunities for professional development due to barriers of cost and distance. This agreement covers 80 percent of the cost of tuition, as well as funding for travel and accommodations for the introductory course on campus at Loyola Marymount University in late July 2023.
This unique and successful educational program professional development that is specific to the Catholic school administration context. The one-year (4 course/10 graduate level units) program is designed to address three major themes in Catholic school administration, mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership. Nine units of the certificate coursework will count toward a Master of Arts in Catholic School Administration at LMU.
Applications for this program will be considered from either an individual candidate in a diocese, a pair of candidates, or three applicants wanting to work together as a diocesan group. Participants must be nominated by the principal of the school where they work and then approved by the diocesan superintendent.
Students will be asked to commit a minimum of 2 years of service to a Catholic School in their diocese after they successfully complete the certificate program. Additionally, at the conclusion of the program students will be asked to apply their new skills by implementing a specific project that will enhance their local Catholic school in a strategic area identified by the principal.
Duration: 1 year
Value to Participating Diocese: $16,292 per student, or $48,876 per group of 3 students
Documents
How to Apply
- Read and review the full 2023-24 Program Guidelines, linked above
- Complete the online application form by the deadline of Friday, February 24, 2023
Feedback from Participants:
- “I feel like this opportunity propelled me to another level that allowed me to have confidence and background knowledge to take on a leadership position within a catholic school. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking to take a position of leadership in a catholic school. The program provided a great network for future references, advice, and support. I was able to directly apply the knowledge that I received from the program to my school.”
- “I’m now in my 8th year and our school has come so far in my time as principal, largely because of the lessons I learned as a brand new principal in this program.”
- “The program not only met but exceeded my expectations. It has been the best experience in my lifetime.”
- “When I first arrived at LMU to begin my course work, I was pretty much burnt out with my position as a school principal … (in this program) from day one I encountered hope. Throughout the year, I grew in wisdom and confidence in my role as a Catholic school Principal. As we begin a new school year, our school is stronger than ever because of the vision Catholic Extension Society and Loyola had in helping me and others grow”
- “My experience at LMU was amazing. It redefined what a leader is and how to be a great leader. I learned skills that are sure to prove invaluable when in a leadership role. Along the way I also met some amazing mentors and other professionals that I know will be a great resource in the future. All in all, I would do this program again in a heartbeat and feel that all future leaders should be exposed to a program such as this one. It is an experience that I feel so blessed to have been given”
View a Presentation from Students in this Initiative
In January of 2016, students from 4 different Extension Dioceses who had completed this program gave a webinar to share the results of their studies and some of the great programs they had created and implemented in their dioceses. Click here to view the their presentation and see some examples of the ways that Catholic schools in Extension Dioceses have benefitted from participation.
For More Information
Contact Rob Anderson, Assistant Vice President of Mission, at 312.795.6095 or randerson@catholicextension.org.