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 >
Request Info & Apply
The deadline for the Fall 2025 cohort has passed. Future cohort application windows will be published here as those dates and time frames are determined.
If you're interested in applying to be part of a future DCPS/GW equity-centered leadership cohort, contact Dr. Rebecca Thessin at rthessin
gwu [dot] edu (rthessin[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Although the DCPS cohort is not currently accepting applications, you don’t have to wait to pursue your leadership goals. Explore our ELA program options to find the path that’s right for you.
Explore the Educational Leadership & Administration Programs >
Admissions Overview
- Candidate Requirements
Candidates for the GW-DCPS Master’s/EdS Program should demonstrate:
- The belief that all students can achieve at the highest levels and that school leaders have an immense power to positively impact the life outcomes of their students through mindsets, policies, and practices
- A disposition of reflection, humility, advocacy, and asset orientation
- Commitment to learning about and becoming an equity-focused leader who will eliminate opportunity gaps, interrupt institutional bias, and remove barriers to academic and social success in DCPS schools, particularly for students of color and those from traditionally marginalized background
- Evidence of equity-focused teaching or leadership experiences in your own professional setting
- At least two years of professional educational experience in DCPS, three years or more of professional educational experience preferred. (in good standing)
- Record of achievement as a teacher leader, which may include serving as a LEAP coach, dean, grade level leader, department head, or in other designated positions, or leading a school-based committee
- Readiness to apply research to one’s practice through at least 325 hours of internship experiences to be completed as components of each course in the program
- Potential for growth and mastery of the DCPS Equity Centered Leader Standards
- Application Requirements
- Online Application
- Resume
- Transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Two Letters of Recommendation (At least 1 letter from a current principal is required; 3 letters of recommendation are preferred)
- Interview
- Statement of Purpose: Please address the following points in an essay of 500-750 words (please avoid using bullets and numbers in responding, but demonstrate your writing skills in a coherent essay):
- The rationale for seeking a Master’s/Ed in the field of Educational Administration at GW;
- Current knowledge, skills, dispositions, and experiences in leadership – specifically address what you as the candidate will bring to the program, and what has prepared you to assume an administrative role;
- Evidence of equity-focused teaching or leadership in your own classroom or across multiple classrooms;
- Areas for growth you will seek to acquire during the program to prepare to be an effective school leader.
Contact the GSEHD Admissions team at teachinfogwu [dot] edu (teachinfo[at]gwu[dot]edu) for more information.