Post-master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership

 
The post-master's certificate in educational leadership program prepares graduates to successfully lead educational organizations and transform schools. Coursework can be completed in as little as three semesters and is designed to develop your leadership potential as a school or district level administrator, supervisor, superintendent, or other leadership role.

The 21 credit-hour program* is for individuals who have obtained an accredited master’s degree and active, renewable educator license and have at least two years of experience in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia. Individuals who successfully complete the program are eligible for endorsement as a K12 administrator or supervision.

Program highlights:

• Online and face-to-face options
• Rigorous field-based learning experiences
• Award-winning faculty and experienced professors of practice
• Virginia State K12 administration and supervision endorsement
• Opportunities to practice skills leaders need to improve schools, especially high-needs schools
• Tailored internship opportunities

*Please keep in mind exact course requirements may vary so consult your adviser or the program coordinator with any questions.

Online and in-person cohorts are determined by accepted student preference in late spring. The online application includes a program modality question that aids in our ability to identify interest and need in the different learning modalities.

Our online classes involve a combination of synchronous and asynchronous work. When registering, you can find specific details about the dates and times for synchronous sessions in the course description section. Your synchronous sessions for each class will be scheduled on either Tuesdays or Thursdays within the hours of 4-8 p.m., following an every other week schedule for about an hour to an hour and a half (no more than two hours).

20% Tuition Discounts for Educators

A  20% discounted tuition rate is now automatically applied to students enrolled in the Post-master's Certificate in Educational Leadership program.

Note: If you have questions about how to navigate the Graduate and Professional Studies tuition and fees calculator, please see this quick tutorial.

CONCENTRATIONS/VCU BULLETIN INFO

• Certificate in Educational Leadership

PROGRAM BASICS

How to apply: Graduate application
Semester of entry: Summer
Application deadline: March 1
Late applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Resources and Checklists

Application Checklist - PMC in Educational Leadership [PDF]

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

• VCU Graduate School requirements
• Master’s degree in the field of education or a master’s degree that meets the requirements to hold a teaching position
• Active teacher license
• Upload resume or CV that lists at least two years of experience in a school setting, which must be in a licensed instructional personnel position
• Statement of Intent that answers the following questions:
  
  • This is a program focusing on leadership. What are your reasons for applying to this program and what are the goals you will strive to achieve?
    
  • What evidence do you have that you are an effective educator?
    
  • Describe a situation in your professional practice when you were asked to solve a problem and what you learned.
    
  • The statement of intent should be no more than two single spaced pages.
    
    

FOR MORE IN-DEPTH INFO

• Educational leadership degree/certificate programs
• Educational leadership program materials
• Licensure to program comparison chart