Program Overview

Graduate Programs in Educational Leadership

The graduate programs in Educational Leadership lead to NYS certification as a school building leader and/or a school district leader based on NYS knowledge and skills for School Building Leaders (SBL) and School District Leaders (SDL). These programs are designed to help participants develop and/or enhance skills to lead from the positions they hold, to lead self, to lead others, and to lead with others to transform their organizations.

Program Overview

The Educational Leadership programs invite competent and caring professionals to develop and/or enhance skills to lead in various administrative positions in New York State. Completers of the School Building Leadership (SBL) program serve as teacher leaders, grade and subject coordinators, assistant principals, staff developers, department chairs, heads of schools, and other similar administrative positions. Those seeking certification as school district leaders enroll in the Advanced Leadership Studies (ALS) program.

Program Options

• Option 1: Master of Science in Education in School Building Leadership (MS Ed. in SBL): This option is for those seeking their first master's degree or an additional master's degree leading to eligibility for School Building Leader Certification. The program requires 33 credits (11 courses).
• Option 2: Advanced Certificate in School Building Leadership (AdvCert in SBL): This option is for those who have a master's degree and want an accelerated SBL certification program. The program requires 24 credits (8 courses).

School Building Leadership (SBL) Program

Participants in the SBL program meet the objectives of:

• Continuous improvement of schools through course-related leadership activities, school-based internship, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Continuous improvement of their crafts through reflective practice and plans for professional learning beyond coursework.
• Developing and/or enhancing leadership knowledge, decision-making skills, and professional dispositions through course-related leadership activities and personal/professional learning plans.
• Acquiring eligibility for a NYS leadership position through successful completion of coursework based on the design and frameworks of the NYSED certification examination(s) for school building leaders.

Admission Requirements for SBL

• Completion of the online Application for Admission to the School Building Leadership program.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in an appropriate field.
• Initial or provisional or permanent or professional certification or the equivalent.
• Certificates of completion from approved providers of NYSED required workshops.
• GRE scores for those seeking admission to their first graduate program.
• Recommendation from an immediate or current supervisor.
• Recommendation from a higher education professional attesting to potential for post-graduate studies.
• Statement of Interest that includes evidence of leadership for learning and future professional plans for using the degree.

Course Work in School Building Leadership (SBL)

The Master's degree and accelerated Advanced Certificate programs both require:

• An orientation course.
• Six core courses accompanied by an additional 15-20 hours of course-related leadership activities (CRLAs) per course (100 hours total).
• Two internship courses that include on- and off-campus seminars.
• Specific courses such as EDUG 600, EDUG 735, EDUG 738, EDUG 740, EDUG 744, EDUG 745, EDUG 747, EDUG 748, and EDUG 889.

Internship in School Building Leadership

The internship requires:

• Completion of the orientation course and six core courses with an earned GPA of 3.0 or better.
• 100 additional hours of course-related leadership activities completed in the field.
• Acceptance by a school or district administrator for an administrative internship.
• Sponsorship/mentoring by an SBL or SAS certified on-site mentor.
• 400 hours of administrative practice completed in 30 weeks part-time or 15 weeks full-time.
• Monthly on-campus internship seminars and off-campus seminars in diverse schools and settings.

Program Completion Requirements for SBL

Participants must:

• Make appropriate and continuous progress throughout coursework.
• Maintain a 3.0 (B) or better average in coursework.
• Complete all program requirements for assignments and internship according to the program completion schedule.
• Maintain matriculation while completing internship and/or research and/or other completion requirements.

New York State Certification as a School Building Leader

Those seeking NYS certification in School Building Leadership must:

• Present three years of experience as a teacher, counselor, special educator, or pupil personnel service.
• Complete the School Building Leadership Program registered with NYSED.
• Present a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Pass the examination for NYS SBL certification.
• Meet the NYS certification requirements in place at the time of applying for certification.

Advanced Leadership Studies (ALS) Program

The ALS program leads to NYS certification as a school district leader.

Program Options

• Option 1: Master Degree in Advanced Leadership Studies (MS ED in ALS): A post-graduate program leading to eligibility for NYS certification as a School District Leader, requiring 30 credits (6 courses).
• Option 2: Advanced Certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies (AdvCert in ALS): A post-graduate accelerated program leading to eligibility for NYS Certification as a School District Leader, requiring 11 credits (3 courses).

Admission Requirements for ALS

• Completion of the online Application for Admission to the Advanced Leadership Studies program.
• A graduate GPA of 3.5 or better.
• Two years of administrative experience or the equivalent.
• Two letters of recommendation from a current or immediate supervisor and a higher education professional.
• Three years of full-time, classroom teaching, pupil personnel service, or educational leadership experience.
• Sponsorship/mentoring by a certified school district leader (SDL or SDA).

Course Work in Advanced Leadership Studies (ALS)

The MS Ed in ALS consists of 24 credits of coursework and 6 credits of internship/seminar, including specific courses such as EDUG 840, EDUG 871, EDUG 847, EDUG 861, EDUG 865, and EDUG 892.

Internship in Advanced Leadership Studies

The internship requires:

• Acceptance by a school district for a district-level administrative internship experience.
• Sponsorship/mentoring/partnership with an on-site certified school district leader (SDL or SDA).
• A proposal for an internship improvement initiative in partnership with the district.
• At least 250 hours of district-level administrative practice and attendance at accompanying seminars.

New York State Certification as a School District Leader

Candidates for NYS certification as a School District Leader must:

• Complete the NYS registered master degree or accelerated advanced certificate in the Advanced Leadership Studies program.
• Acquire a total of 60 or more post-baccalaureate credits by the end of the program.
• Present a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better.
• Pass the examination for NYS certification as a school district leader.
• Apply for NYS certification as a school district leader through the Manhattan College Certification Officer.