ELA: DC Public Schools Cohort
Educational Leadership and Administration
D.C. Public Schools Cohort
An Equity-Centered Leadership Partnership with D.C. Public Schools
The Educational Leadership and Administration (ELA) program within GW’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development is excited to continue to partner with the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) through a grant from the Wallace Foundation. An Equity-Centered Leadership graduate cohort will prepare aspiring and current DCPS administrators for leadership roles as an assistant principal, principal, central office administrator, and instructional supervisor, among other administrative positions.
Candidates who pursue admission to the DCPS cohort in the Post-Master's Certificate (PMC) program will be prepared with the knowledge and skills to make educational equity a reality. Throughout their coursework, research, and high-quality internships, students will integrate theory seamlessly with practice to build their capacities to lead as an equity-centered professional.
Tradition of Excellence
For 30+ years, our faculty, who are research productive and possess extensive professional and practitioner experience at the local, state, national and international levels, have prepared students for leadership roles in PreK-12 education.
Streamlined Time to Completion
This hybrid and accelerated, part-time, 4-semester program allows students to earn their post-masters graduate certificate in 12-14 months.
Accredited + Accessible
Our programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and recognized by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA). Classes will be held in-person and online.
Dr. Tynika Young Aleibar, Director of the Wallace Initiative in DC Public Schools, discusses her journey from classroom teacher to school leader and her experience in the GW Educational Leadership & Administration program.
An ELA Program that Matches Your Career Goals
Post-Master's Certificate
The DCPS PMC cohort program is an 18 + 3 credit hour program that requires students to successfully fulfill a minimum of 325 hours of internship experiences which are held in courses and will be accumulated over their terms of study in the program.
- DCPS PMC Cohort Required Curriculum
The ELA required courses for the DCPS PMC program appear below, and unless designated by a *, are 8-week courses. This format allows two instructional sessions within a 16-week semester/term. Classes are delivered in a hybrid model and contain classroom meetings as well as online synchronous and asynchronous components.
EDUC 6232 Supervision of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment EDUC 6234 Foundations of K-12 Educational Leadership EDUC 6236 School Law and Policy EDUC 6238 Leadership for Equity and Social Justice EDUC 6240 Instructional Leadership for School Improvement EDUC 6246 School Finance and Resource Management for School Leaders EDUC 6287* Internship: Administration (taken for 3 credits)
Our advanced graduate programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and recognized by the National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA). The DCPS Equity-Centered Leadership PMC cohort includes courses and internship experiences designed to meet the academic requirements and eligibility for administrative certification/licensure in the District of Columbia. Learn more about advanced certification and licensure in DC and other states >
Apply Now
Please review the following admissions information.
Ready to apply? Don't wait, the application closes on May 21! Visit ‘How to Apply’ for step by step support.
NOTE: Applications to the DCPS-PMC cohort should be submitted as an ‘off campus’ – Alexandria Center location.
To learn more, please connect with the GSEHD Admissions Team at teachinfo
gwu [dot] edu (teachinfo[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-9283.
| Apply Now | Schedule Consultation with Admissions Counselor |
To be considered for the DCPS cohort admission, applicants must submit the online application form as well as the following required supporting documents. There is no application fee.
- Prerequisite: Master’s Degree*, minimum of two years of K-12 teaching/professional education experience
- Resume
- Transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Statement of Purpose (500-750 word essay): Please address the following statements in an essay (please avoid using bullets and numbers in responding, but demonstrate your writing skills in a coherent essay):
- Rationale for seeking a PMC certificate in the field of Educational Administration and Administration at GW;
- Current knowledge, skills, and leadership experiences that contribute to your readiness to assume an administrative role as an equity-centered leader;
- Vision for serving as a leader who advocates and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion, and transformative practices in your school and communities.
- Two Letters of Professional Recommendation (One must be from your current principal indicating support)
- Program Interview
- Mandatory and full participation in Candidate Assessment Day (tentatively scheduled for the end of May, date TBA)
*Students who do not currently have a Master’s degree can apply to the 30 credit hour ELA-MA degree program / DCPS cohort. If admitted, additional courses beyond the 18+3 PMC curriculum would be required and taken fully online.
Additional application requirements may exist for international applicants.
We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Application Timeline:
| Opens | Closes | Classes begin* |
| February 1, 2025 | May 21, 2025 | June 2025 |
*This date is an estimation and could be slightly adjusted
For more information, contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at teachinfogwu [dot] edu (teachinfo[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-9283.