Leadership, Policy and Administration
Wheelock’s programs in Leadership, Policy, and Administration are designed for professionals in the fields of early learning and care, community education and human services. Our programs aim to help professionals in these areas to develop the leadership and management skills, along with the knowledge and values required for roles as change leaders that improve the lives of children, families and communities. These leaders are needed in child care programs, public and private schools, policy arenas, community/civic organizations and human service agencies. The Leadership, Policy, and Administration program offers two options:
- Leadership and Policy in Early Care and Education
- Leadership in Community Education and Human Services
At Wheelock, we believe that new leaders are needed to help children,
families and communities contend with today's more complex and demanding
challenges. Our focus is on preparing graduates to work collaboratively
among various human services and utilize community resources to create
a comprehensive and integrated response to the needs of children, families
and neighborhoods.
Our approach to realizing this goal of
preparing leaders for collaboration and integration emerges from the
distinctive philosophy and vision of our programs. This philosophy
is rooted in the belief that the complex, constantly changing environment
of our lives in the twenty-first century requires democratic leadership.
Such leadership is able to promote the participation of diverse voices
in a group. Here, people learn from each other and create imaginative
and effective solutions to the common problems that they face.
The particular focus and concerns of each of the professional programs is built around a common vision of leadership development. The courses of study are designed so that students acquire a common set of leadership competencies that are then augmented by courses tailored to the specific needs of each program.
Supporting the study of the ideas for building democratic learning communities is the cohort structure of the programs. Students in both programs start their studies together and take a common set of leadership courses at the same time. Students are often able to build a sense of community among themselves as they collectively move through the courses. They are able to put into practice the idea that learning communities are a powerful means of supporting the effective functioning of groups that enhance the chances of each individual’s success.
Alumni of the programs currently work as directors and assistant directors of child care centers, as administrators and teacher leaders of schools and after school programs, as community educators and advocates, and as research and policy analysts on issues concerning children and families.
Usually, applicants to either program must demonstrate at least two years of prior professional experience with children and families, as well as leadership potential.
Coursework
In addition to the common approach to leadership development, there are some key themes that are also common to both programs and that are connected to the core course requirements for all graduate students at Wheelock College. Students must take a multicultural course, a research course and a human development course in order to complete their graduate studies. In the leadership department, you are asked to take courses that will help you understand the following three themes that are connected to both the graduate core course requirements and the common set of leadership competencies:
- Understanding the dynamics and historical legacies that shape the challenge of multicultural populations to become democratic and just societies.
- Using theories of adult development to help promote the learning of adults
- Using inquiry and methods of research to support the development of a reflective practice.
The Faculty
The faculty in the Leadership, Policy and Administration program
are renowned for their approach to best practices in their disciplines,
their considerable experience as leaders and advocates in early care
and education and human services, and the world-class preparation they
deliver to each student.
Applying to a Wheelock College Graduate Program
If you have any questions about these programs, other graduate programs at Wheelock College, or about applying to Wheelock College, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions at graduate@wheelock.edu or call (617) 879-2206, (toll-free (800) 734-5212), or visit the Office of Graduate Admissions Web Site.
