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
Read the Gainful Employment Disclosure >
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 | Associate Professor, Educational Administration |
| Jamison, Kimberly | Assistant Professor, Educational Leadership and Administration |
| Nganga, Christine | Assistant Professor, Education Administration |
| Sherrill Linkous, Kelly | Assistant Professor, Educational Administration |
| Shirrell, Matthew | Associate Professor, Educational Leadership and Administration |
| Tekleselassie, Abe | Associate 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 topics:
- Your rationale for seeking further qualification in the field of Educational Administration at GW.
- What knowledge, skills, dispositions, or experiences in leadership will you bring to the program? 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.
- 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 encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Applications for Summer and Fall 2023 are being accepted. The deadline to apply for Summer 2023 Session I is April 3, 2023.
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.
