Post-Master's Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration
Further your leadership abilities in education with the holistic understanding of curriculum design, motivation, support and innovation in instruction gained through a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the George Washington University (GW).
The certificate is designed for students who hold an earned master’s degree in education and desire to pursue positions in PK-12 leadership. This accelerated 18 credit hour academic program gives you the opportunity to complete the academic requirements in as little as one year and be positioned to apply for administrative endorsement/licensure.
Through coursework and a variety of required activities and internships, students will synthesize and apply their knowledge to build a broader foundation in leadership and management, change, communication, administration, supervision, human relations, resource allocation, and policy and legal issues in diverse learning communities.
This accelerated graduate certificate program is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).
Students seeking this graduate certificate program may apply for financial aid. Additionally, students who desire to pursue the Education Specialist (EdS) degree in Educational Leadership and Administration, have the ability to transfer these GW Educational Administration graduate certificate earned credit hours into the Education Specialist (EdS) degree program in Educational Leadership and Administration as defined by GSEHD policies.
Completion of the Educational Leadership post master’s certificate may also prepare qualified candidates for principal or administrator licensure. This program’s courses and internship experiences are designed to meet the academic requirements for administrative certification/licensure for the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and other interstate compact agreement partners
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Curriculum
GW’s Post-master's Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration consists of 18-credit hours and can be completed in 1 year.
This program is offered on multiple campuses and online.
- EDUC 6232 Supervision of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (3 credits)
- EDUC 6234 Foundations of K-12 Educational Leadership (3 credits)
- EDUC 6236 School Law and Policy (3 credits)
- EDUC 6240 Instructional Leadership for School Improvement (3 credits)
- EDUC 6246 School Finance and Resource Management for School Leaders (3 credits)
- EDUC 6287 Internship: Administration (3 credits)
While most students intern at their employing school/district, individual placements are not guaranteed.
Certificate Outcomes
- The Educational Leadership post master’s certificate utilizes research-based coursework and real-world education leadership projects to help you apply crucial concepts and build your professional leadership and administration portfolio. You will develop specialized skills that promote high-quality student achievement include planning, change management, research analysis and supervisory strategy.
Cohort Options
Charles County Cohort: Convenient and flexible classes offered in a hybrid model for the Master's and Post-Master’s Certificate in Charles County with some classes held online asynchronously and some held on-site at a CCPS school.
Loudoun County Cohort: Convenient and flexible classes will be offered in a hybrid model for the Post-Master’s Certificate, Master's and Education Specialist degrees in Loudoun County in Fall 2023, with some classes held online asynchronously and some held on-site at an LCPS Building.
Related Programs
GW offers a Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration and a Education Specialist in Educational Leadership and Administration (off-campus or online).
Faculty
| Clayton, Jennifer | Professor, Educational Administration |
| Jamison, Kimberly | Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Administration |
| Nganga, Christine | Associate Professor, Education Administration |
| Sherrill Linkous, Kelly | Assistant Professor, Educational Administration |
| Shirrell, Matthew | Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Administration |
| Tekleselassie, Abe | Professor, Educational Administration |
| Thessin, Rebecca | Associate Professor, Educational Administration |
| Trimmer, Leslie | Assistant Professor of Practice, Education Administration |
Career Outlook
The post-master’s certificate in Educational Leadership & Administration program prepares you to promote high-quality student achievement as a leader in various PK-12 school-based and central office positions. Nationally recognized by CAEP, this program includes courses and required internship experiences designed to meet administrative certification/licensure requirements in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and other states that honor interstate compact agreements.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Services, elementary, middle and high school principals earned a median $98,420 annual salary in 2021, with jobs in the field expected to grow 5% by 2031.1 Postsecondary education administrators earned a median $96,910 in 2021, with jobs expected to grow 7% by 2031.2
Educational Leadership and Administration Career Opportunities
- Assistant principals
- Principals
- Central office administrators
- Policymakers
Potential Employment Settings
- PK-12 public, private or charter schools
- Higher education institutions
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm (visited October 31, 2022).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Postsecondary Education Administrators, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm (visited October 31, 2022).
Admissions
- Program Entry: On-Campus (Fall) - Online (Summer Session II, Spring*)
- * Spring term applications would be accepted IF the applicant is interested in a two semester program (i.e.: Enroll in 3 courses in Spring and 3 courses in Summer)
- Prerequisites: Master's Degree, Minimum of one year of teaching experience
- Campus: Alexandria, Online
Application Requirements
- Online Application
- Resume
- 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 Post-Master’s 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.
- 2 Letters of Recommendation (at least 1 from a current administrator preferred)
- Transcripts
- Interview may be required
For more information on any of these requirements, please visit our Admissions FAQ page.
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Please note: Cohort applications may carry alternate deadlines to those reflected below. Contact gsehdadm@gwu.edu for more information.
| Semester | Summer 2023 | Fall 2023 | Spring 2024 |
| Fully Completed App Deadline | June 1 | Aug 1 | Nov 15 |
If you have questions about the application process, please contact our Admission Office at gsehdadm@gwu.edu or at 202-994-9283.
Transformation Begins Here
Learn more about the Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration program. Complete the form linked below or contact the GSEHD Admissions Team at 202-994-9283.
