EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership


For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Joan Weber at joan.weber@liu.edu for programs in Westchester or Prof. Elaine Geller at elaineb.geller@liu.edu for programs west of the Hudson River.

The Advanced Certificate in Educational Leadership is a 30 credit post-master's program that leads to eligibility for New York State certification as a School District Leader (SDL) and/or School Building Leader (SBL). It also can assist the graduate in meeting the requirements for superintendent and principal in New Jersey. 

As the role of educational leader becomes increasingly challenging, it is imperative that students develop theoretical concepts and practical skills in order to be reflective practitioners who promote social justice, create caring classrooms and school communities, and enable all children to be successful learners.

The pedagogical content of the courses integrates practice with theory. An internship experience, in collaboration with school/district leaders, is a central component throughout these programs.  During the internship, emphasis is placed upon the following five areas - Administration/Organization/Business Management, School- Community Relations, Staff/Personnel Issues, Student Personnel Issues, and Curriculum & Instruction.

Courses emphasize critical thinking, reflection, and problem solving skills in order to prepare individuals who can be catalysts for school change and improved student performance.  Coursework is designed to help students draw connections between theory and practice and focus on how to facilitate learning.  The Educational Leadership graduate programs are committed to preparing candidates who demonstrate the nine essential characteristics of effective leaders, promoted by the New York State Education Department.  Emphasis is placed upon the core domains of leadership and the ILSSC standards.


Degree Requirements

Administration Core Required Courses (9 Credits)

Courses

Credits

EDL 630 Administrative Core I

6

EDL 631 Administrative Core II

3

The administrative core sequence includes six interrelated areas within the field of school administration. 
Core I includes: 1) human relations, 2) leadership, and 3) school-community relations. 
Core II includes: 1) research, 2) school business, and 3) technology.

The core incorporates field experiences through which the student applies concepts acquired in class presentations and discussions.

Required Courses (15 credits)

In addition to the Administrative Core, students are required to take:

Courses

Credits

EDL 632 Curricular Concerns in Public School Administration

OR

EDL 637 The Supervisor in the School Setting*

6


6

EDL 633 School Business Administration*

OR

EDL 636 Public School Finance*

OR

EDL 635 School Law*

3


3


3

EDL 641 School District Administration: Problems and Issues

3

EDL 651 Internship in School Administration – CAS Level

6

EDL 631 Administrative Core II

3

(EDL 636 and EDL 637 are necessary for New Jersey Administration Certification.)

*EDL 637 is allowed as an elective when student opts to take EDL 632 to satisfy requirement and vice versa; EDL 636 and/or EDL 635 allowed as electives when student opts to take EDL 633 to satisfy requirement and vice versa.

The internship, required of all students, reintroduces the six major core areas to provide a synthesizing experience. Until students have satisfactorily completed required hours and competencies, the University supervisor will NOT submit a grade.

Prerequisites for the internship: EDL 630 (completed) and EDL 631 (completed or in progress), or permission of the Department Chairperson.

Electives (6 credits from the following)

Courses

Credits

EDL 634 School Personnel Administration

3

EDL 644 Collective Negotiations

3

EDL 646 Special Education Law for School Administrators

3

EDL 647 Administration of Educational Programs for Exceptional Children

3

EDL 648 School Organization, Programming and Scheduling

3

EDL 649 Leadership and Administration in Multicultural Settings

3

EDL 653 Administration and Leadership at the Middle School Level

3

CULMINATING EXPERIENCES

  • Portfolio
  • Internship Project
  • Violence Prevention Workshop, Project S.A.V.E. (Schools Against Violence Education Act)
  • Child Abuse Identification and Reporting: 2-hour seminar
  • New York State Fingerprinting
  • Program Total: 30 credits

Admissions Requirements

AN ADVANCED CERTIFICATE CANDIDATE MUST HAVE:

  1. Master's degree with a minimum 3.25 GPA
  2. Professional state certification in teaching or an educational specialty
  3. Two letters of recommendation
  4. Teaching experience and prior experience review
  5. Documentation of years of experience

Attention Applicants: The New York State Education Department requires all candidates for NYS initial SBL and/or professional SDL certification, to have completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study, possess a permanent or professional certificate in classroom teaching service or pupil personnel service, and to have completed three years of classroom teaching service and/or educational leadership service and/or pupil personnel service experience in public or non-public schools N-12.

Course Descriptions

EDL 630 Administrative Core I

This course presents a balanced viewpoint of theory and practice in analyzing current issues in educational administration.  Through the use of various readings, classroom discussion, group activities, lecture, and varied presentations, topics, issues, and trends in this field will be examined.  The course will examine three interrelated areas within the field of school administration.  They are human relations, leadership and school-community relations.
Credits: 6

EDL 631 Administrative Core II

The goals of Administrative Core II is to have students become wise consumers of educational research, knowledgeable about the business functions of the school district, and uses of computers to solve administrative problems.  Administrative Core I (EDL 630) must be taken before Core II.
Credits: 3

EDL 632 Curricular Concerns in Public School Administration

This course is a study of curricular concerns and emphasizes administrative decision-making skills.  Major topics include administering programmatic change, focus on individualized and differentiated instruction, curriculum theory, instructional and curriculum issues.
Credits: 3

EDL633 School Business Administration

This course provides students with information on the skills and knowledge needed to operate an effective school business office.  It covers budgeting theories and practices, including estimating expenditures, personnel costs, and revenues as well as services that support the instructional operations of the district: food service, transportation, school store, supply management, purchasing and bidding, insurance and the use of existing district buildings and grounds, new construction and renovation. School district revenues sources are explored, including taxation concepts and practices, theoretical models in state funding, state aid, federal aid and special education, and public support for non-public schools
Credits: 3

EDL 634 School Personnel Administration

The course provides a study of the skills, attitudes and knowledge essential for effective school personnel administration.  Methods of recruitment of highly skilled and competent new employees are reviewed.  Certification requirements and selection methods are discussed in order that administrators will locate the best possible staff for their schools/districts.  Other areas of study include assignment of staff, load and transfer of teachers, salaries and scheduling.  Areas of concentration will also include: leaves of absences, tenure, in-service education, personnel records, morale, retirement, professional associations and collective bargaining.
Credits: 3

EDL 635 School Law

The course entails a study of the major topics of law related to public schools. Areas of concentration include: sources of the law; scope of the law; law and the organization for public education; pupils, employees and school law; school officers and the law; theory of governmental non-liability; liability and individual members of the board and personal liability of school employees.
Credits: 3

EDL 636 Public School Finance

This course provides a study of public school finance. Major topics include: the development of public school finance in the United States, principles of school finance, revenues, expenditures and indebtedness, fiscal problems, the foundation program, fiscal control, and school support formulas.
Credits: 3

EDL 637 The Supervisor In The School Setting

The course entails a study of the major components of the school supervisor.  The nature of the supervisory process is reviewed.  The function of the supervisor in various situations is examined in detail.  The principles of supervision and a variety of leadership styles are reviewed.  Other areas of concentration include appropriate procedures for supervision, the supervision of teachers, curriculum, instruction, and non-certificated staff.
Credits: 3

EDL 641 School District Administration: Problems and Issues

This course provides a study of the role and responsibilities of the district administrator in a school system. Major topics include: organizational, professional and legal issues in school district administration; the school district administrator and organizational decision- making; emerging responsibilities in working relationships among school district administrators and the board and members of the community; critical economic, political and social issues confronting educational leadership.
Credits: 3

EDL 644 Collective Negotiations In Education

This course is a study of the implementation and development of collective negotiations in the public schools. It includes principles and practices applied in public sector negotiations and the study of selected topics such as the bargaining process, impasse procedures, grievance machinery, the strike content of bargaining agreements, and the role of the administrator in negotiations.
Credits: 3

EDL 646 Special Education Law For School Administrators

This course is designed to acquaint the student with public laws pertaining to the education of students with disabilities. Specifically, students will review IDEIA, Section 504, No Child Left Behind/Race to the Top (as it impacts special education), NYS Part 200 Regulations of the Commissioner, and newly revised ADA regulations.  Major concepts to be covered include: Least Restrictive Environment/Continuum of Services; The Individual Education Program, including evaluation and the multi-disciplinary team; Due Process, including Parental Rights and procedural safeguards; Free Appropriate Public Education and Response to Intervention.
Credits: 3

EDL 648 School Organization

The course offers students insights into the essentials of running a school or district.  Major topics include: scheduling classes and activities across varying grade levels; scheduling extra-curricular activities; defining appropriate parameters for clubs and assemblies; and managing sports programs. The student will gain insight into how to select appropriate educational programs and technologies to enhance student learning. Practical projects will be assigned.
Credits: 3

EDL 649 Leadership and Administration in Multicultural School Settings

This course is designed to provide specific preparation for supervisors in the management of operational policies, particularly in multicultural school settings. Recent national and local policy trends will be explored for their effects upon traditional budget allocation practices, curriculum strategies, personnel management, program assessment, and shared management.  Policies and methods will be examined to ensure that all students have the necessary resources to enjoy equitable opportunities to learn and to meet high standards.
Credits: 3

EDL 650 Internship in School Administration-MSE

The course provides students with the opportunity to participate in administrative and supervisory activities and to put into practice the students' classroom knowledge in a practical ways. Students will work in a school and district setting and then meet in seminars to discuss issues, problems and strategies.  During the internship, five areas of study will be emphasized: Administration; Curriculum Development; School Community Relations; Student Services; and Staff Development.  In addition, the six major core areas will be reintroduced, thus providing a synthesizing experience for the student.  Practical applications of systematic observation and participation in administrative and supervisory activities will be provided at the school/district level.  Permission of the Director of the Department of Educational Leadership is required to enroll in this course.
Prerequisites: EDL 630 (completed) and EDL 631 (completed or in progress), or special permission of the program director.
Credits: 6

EDL 651 Internship in School Administration-Advanced Certificate Level

The course provide students with the opportunity to participate in administrative and supervisory activities and to put into practice the students' classroom knowledge in a practical ways. Students will work in a school and district setting and then meet in seminars to discuss issues, problems and strategies.  During the internship, five areas of study will be emphasized: Administration; Curriculum Development; School Community Relations; Student Services; and Staff Development.  In addition, the six major core areas will be reintroduced, thus providing a synthesizing experience for the student.  Practical applications of systematic observation and participation in administrative and supervisory activities will be provided at the school/district level.  Permission of the Director of the Department of Educational Leadership is required to enroll in this course.
Prerequisites: EDL 630 (completed) and EDL 631 (completed or in progress), or special permission of the program director.
Credits: 6

EDL 653 Administration and Leadership at the Middle School Level

This course is a study of administrative leadership and decision-making at the middle school level. It includes a review of current educational research, theory and practice as they may apply to the operation of a middle level school. Topics include: understanding the middle school concept; examining administrative decision-making and middle school curriculum development; supervision at the middle school level; current issues in administering a middle school.
Credits: 3

Plan of Study

Completion of this curriculum may qualify the student for New York State certification in School Building Leader and/or School District Leader as well as meeting the requirements for New Jersey principal and superintendent, depending upon qualifications.

Program Requirements
Administration Core Required Courses (9 Credits)

Credits

EDL 630 Administrative Core I

6

EDL 631 Administrative Core II

3

The administrative core sequence includes six interrelated areas within the field of school administration. Core I includes 1) human relations; 2) leadership, and 3) school-community relations. Core II includes 1) research, 2) school business, and 3) technology.

The core incorporates field experiences through which the student applies concepts acquired in class presentations and discussions.

Required Courses (15 credits)

In addition to the Administrative Core, students are required to take:

Credits

EDL 632 Curricular Concerns in Public School Administration*

3

or

EDL 637 The Supervisor in the School Setting*

3

EDL 633 School Business Administration*

3

or

+EDL 636 Public School Finance*

3

or

+EDL 635 School Law*

3

EDL 641 School District Administration: Problems and Issues

3

EDL 651 Internship in School Administration – CAS Level

6

*EDL 637 allowed as elective when student opts to take EDL 632 to satisfy requirement and vice versa; EDL 636 and/or EDL 635 allowed as electives when student opts to take EDL 633 to satisfy requirement and vice versa.

+ Necessary for New Jersey certification

The internship, required of all students, reintroduces the six major core areas to provide a synthesizing experience. Until students have satisfactorily completed required hours and competencies the university supervisor will NOT submit a grade.

Prerequisites for the internship: EDL 630 (completed) and EDL 631 (completed or in progress), or permission of the Department Chairperson.

Electives (6 credits from the following)

Credits

EDL 634 School Personnel Administration

3

EDL 643 School Plant Planning

3

EDL 644 Collective Negotiations

3

EDL 646 Special Education Law for School Administrators

3

EDL 647 Administration of Educational Programs for Exceptional Children

3

EDL 648 School Organization, Programming, and Scheduling

3

EDL 649 Leadership and Administration in Multicultural Settings

3

EDL 653 Administration and Leadership at the Middle School Level

3

Culminating Experiences

  • Portfolio
  • Internship Project
  • SAVE Workshop
  • Child Abuse Workshop
  • NY or NJ State Fingerprinting

Program Total: 30 credits

CONTACT

Hudson@liu.edu
914-831-2700