Convenience
Classes are held at times and sites convenient for students to attend:

Portland: Downtown, Graduate School of Education, 615 SW
Harrison Street, Portland

Academic year cohort classes are held on Tuesday evenings.
Summer cohort classes are held during the day over the summer with three meetings per quarter during the school year.

Portland - East: Reynolds Middle School Library, 1200 NE 201st Ave, Fairview. Classes are held on Thursday evenings.

Mid-Willamette (Salem): Leslie Middle School Media Center, 3850 Pringle Road SE, Salem. Classes are held on Monday evenings.

Southern Oregon: Final cohort ended spring 2008.

One year format
You will complete your IAL either in one school year or from summer to summer (Portland downtown option only).

Cohort class
A preselected group of students will engage in the entire curriculum as a cohort. This feature enhances opportunities for personal growth and professional development by giving you the chance to get to know a few new colleagues well—colleagues you can rely on while you're in the program and whom you can call on in your future work as an administrator.

Practical experience
The entire IAL will be an integrated experience for you, with both formal and informal learning opportunities, and many occasions to apply ideas discussed in the classroom to actual practices in the field. You will have opportunities for in-depth discussion of real problems of practice with educational leaders serving as special consultants to the program.

Problem-based learning
The IAL incorporates a curricular approach that focuses on actual problems of practice rather than on traditional academic disciplines.

Portfolio development
The IAL experience results in the creation of your professional portfolio—a collection of materials that attest to your administrative accomplishments and experiences. This portfolio could be invaluable as you seek administrative employment.

Career guidance
You will have numerous opportunities to interact and speak with successful school leaders in your area school districts about your prospective career plans. They will help you identify your personal strengths and offer suggestions for achieving your goals as a professional educator.

District support
Strong school and district support for your participation is required and must be reflected in the Designation of Mentor and the reference forms.

On­site advising/library
Onsite advising is available at all sites. Electronic access to the PSU library is also available.