Portfolio Requirements

Students must prepare a portfolio which provides a record of accomplishment of personal and program goals, an analysis of leadership/followership style and evidence of the ability to conduct action research.

Students should begin the portfolio at the start of their program and must have it completed and approved prior to graduation. Portfolio development workshops are held annually. Students are encouraged to attend a workshop early in the program.

Portfolio Development

The following are sections that must be included in the completed portfolio:

A. Introduction to the Portfolio: In this section, students should preview the contents of the portfolio for the reader. What the reader will find in each section, various highlights and any editorial comments should be included.

B. Program and Personal Goals Accomplishment and Application: In this section, evidence demonstrating the achievement of the goals of the MSA and personal goals should be discussed in the context of the work situation. Students need to state in what courses or through which experiences in the MSA program they achieved the goal and secondly, what was learned from the courses and/or experiences. They will need to describe how they have applied the learnings and understandings to their work situation. In what ways have they increased contributions to the organization as leaders and/or followers? How has personal and professional growth increased worth to the company for which they work? Evidence of accomplishment of the goals, which includes papers, reports, video presentations and case analyses, should be included in appendices.

In addition to personal goals, students need to address the following program goals in this section:

  • Demonstrate an ability to research, write, present and defend reports on issues in administration and management;
  • Present administrative topics to diverse audiences using effective delivery skills and use of appropriate visual aids;
  • Show proficient application of information technology;
  • Analyze the structure, leadership style, group processes and power relationships of given organizations;
  • Select and apply appropriate and workable management techniques to cases or current situations;
  • Understand how external factors, such as the global economy, international politics, sociological, technological, and ecological trends impact an organization;
  • Synthesize the theories and applications learned throughout the student's experiences in a comprehensive evaluation of a current situation;
  • Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication skills;
  • Consider ethical issues in their cultural context; and
  • Understand and demonstrate an appreciation of diversity.

C. Individual Leadership/Followership Case Study: In this section, the students develop a leadership case study in which they analyze the effectiveness of their leadership/followership styles within the given structure of an organization. This analysis should demonstrate research skills and the ability to determine both effective and ineffective patterns of leadership/followership behavior and to develop a plan for improving effectiveness.

D. Team Action Research Paper and Presentations: This section includes a report of a team project. This project is designed to introduce students to the concept and practice of "leader as decision maker." Students will present a team case on a "real" company, selected by the students and approved by the faculty. This case must be written and presented. It must integrate the fields of business and include evidence of the ability to apply decision-making techniques and models. In addition, evidence of computer usage must be demonstrated.

E. Portfolio Summary: In this section, students should present a summary statement of contents of the portfolio. Students should include in what ways it reflects experiences in the program and comments about the process of developing the portfolio.

Portfolio Process

A. Students must submit personal goals from Section B with the Candidacy Form within the first 12 credits.

B. Students should attend a Portfolio Workshop.

C. In the final semester, the portfolio must be submitted for final review and examination before a faculty committee.

Dr. Robert Letovsky, Director
Jeanmarie Hall Room 149
Box 273
802.654.2477
rletovsky@smcvt.edu