Program Overview
Binghamton University's Educational Leadership advanced certificate program is offered
in both traditional in-person and synchronous remote formats. This program is for
experienced pre-K through grade 12 educators interested in:
- Completing the requirements for two New York state certificates - School Building
Leader (SBL-Initial) and/or School District Leader (SDL-Professional)
- Engaging with a rigorous curriculum at a University recognized nationally for its
strong academic programs, distinguished faculty and affordable tuition
- Extending their graduate studies to an EdD in the future
- Expanding their impact beyond their own classroom or specialty area.
The Educational Leadership advanced certificate program is a part-time program designed
for the full-time working educator. Students complete nine classes in the evenings
either quickly (two classes each fall, spring and summer semester) or more leisurely
with one class at a time. Classes are offered by university faculty and area education
professionals. The internship, arranged in students' home districts, generally takes
another two semesters and requires enrollment in two classes.
Practicing educational leaders wishing to expand your current certification to include
an SDL are encouraged to contact Dr. Suzanne McLeod at smcleod@binghamton.edu
Synchronous Remote Educational Leadership Track
The Synchronous Remote Educational Leadership track at Binghamton University allows
students to be fully engaged in all classes through a synchronous remote format. Students
in this particular track are expected to attend courses with in-person students, through
Zoom. All courses in the Educational Leadership program (10) will be offered synchronously
via Zoom to ensure all students, either in-person or remote, are able to complete
this program in a timely manner.
This track offers students with geographical challenges the opportunity and flexibility
to participate in the Binghamton University Educational Leadership program from remote
locations.
We are accepting applications for Fall 2024!
If you believe this track is for you, connect with our program coordinator, Suzanne McLeod.
Program Requirements
This is a 30-credit-hour program of study beyond a completed master’s degree of at
least 30 credit-hours in a teaching or closely related field. The 30 credit-hours
consist of ten required courses, one of which is an internship and two which are completed
mostly online. Students are required to pass the NYS School District Leader assessment
and to develop a personal plan for self-improvement and continuous learning, consistent
with current Educational Leader standards. The personal plan is updated and refined
at three defined checkpoints during the program of study.
No graduate record exam (GRE) is required for this certificate program.
Connect with a Member of our Admissions Team
- General Inquiries: If you are interested in learning more about Binghamton University's advanced certificate
in Educational Leadership please contact Suzanne McLeod, program coordinator.
- Application Process or Transcript Review: To learn more about the application process or a transcript review, please contact
our Interim Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Christina Mack.
- Start your Application Today: To start your application click here. Note that recommendations for this program consist of forms filled out by senior school
district administrators who can eventually support the candidate's internship — there
is no need to request letters of recommendation from them.
Internship
In addition to field-based projects and other leadership experiences, students complete
a capstone internship. Positioned near the end of the student’s formal academic preparation,
the internship provides an opportunity for immersion in the authentic work world of
educational leaders. Under the guidance of a University instructor and a field-based
supervisor-mentor, students apply and extend the knowledge and skills developed throughout
their course of study. For more information, view the Internships page.
Plan of Study
The plan of study for the educational leadership advanced certificate program provides students and
advisors with a form to guide students through program requirements.
Required Courses
Note: All Educational Leadership courses are currently 3 credits each.
-
EDUC 606 - Curriculum Leadership
Participants in this course will explore standards-based and alternative approaches
to developing, organizing, and evaluating PreK-12 curricula. There will be an emphasis
on how leaders can facilitate and support curriculum improvement for student learning
and well-being. The implications for prospective school and district administrative
leaders are underscored. Offered: spring. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 607 - School Law and Ethics
This course examines the background of current education laws, case laws, regulations
and policies in practice in school districts, and it emphasizes critical issues involving
ethics that educational leaders must consider in their school districts. The course
includes a brief overview of the history of major laws that govern/address today's
educational settings. Three levels of laws will be examined: federal, state, and
local, with attention paid to laws applying to the students, teachers, administrators
and general public school governance. There will be opportunities for the class members
to discuss applications of law and ethics within their own school environments. Offered:
summer. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 608 - School Fin. & Bus. Operations
The course will present the concepts and tools needed to understand, manage, and
improve school business operations, budgeting, and resources. Candidates will learn
that leaders' fiscal responsibilities are situated in the context of state and
federal education finance systems. Offered: spring. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 609 - Asses Student Lrng Sch Improve
Participants will examine the multiple purposes for, and means of, assessing student
learning. Class discussions and assignments will assist participants in the analysis
and interpretation of student data for instructional, program, and school improvement
purposes. The course will emphasize the implications for the support of diverse learners.
Offered: summer. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 610 - Collab w/Diverse Stakeholders
This course will ask participants to identify and learn about collaboration with a range of school stakeholders, including: parents
and caregivers; community organizations and businesses; policy makers, such as the
Board of Education; faculty and staff; and legislators. Participants will learn about
reasons for and methods of involving stakeholders in schools. Participants will learn
how to respond to and influence the political, economic, legal, and cultural context
within a district. Knowledge of advocacy strategies, public relations methods, and
relationship building skills will prepare the administrator to use this information
to promote the success of all students. Course is offered in a combination seminar
and online format. Offered: semester offered varies. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 611 - Special Program Leadership
This course allows candidates to focus on a particular school program, including,
but not limited to early childhood, literacy, special education, arts, technology,
physical education, English as a new language, pupil personnel, or staff development.
In a combination seminar and on-line course format the participant will use case study
methodology to investigate specific principles, mandates, funding, organizing, staffing
and best practice concerning their area of interest. Offered: semester offered varies.
3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 672 - Processes Of Supv & Prof. Dev
The purpose of this course is to enhance educators' knowledge and abilities
to facilitate the professional growth of adults in the PreK-12 setting. It is based
on the premise that continual growth and development is not only essential for professional
excellence, but personal as well. Technical, human resource, and political perspectives
are included. Crucial to this course is the assertion that leadership matters, and
that leaders can help the adults in their schools become better educators.
Offered: summer. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 673 - Leadership In Educ Settings
This course focuses on the professional knowledge base of theories, principles
and informed practices of transformational leadership that advance schools as learning
organizations for all stakeholders. Emphasis will be placed on leadership as a values
& vision-driven, 360-degree process of influencing others to collaboratively achieve
strategic, mutually beneficial, systemic goals, rather than on a form of power that
is only available to someone in a designated position of authority (on the Pyramid
of Power). School Leader-Follower-Situation interactional challenges and change opportunities
will be critically examined through four frames (human resource, political, structural,
and symbolic) with an eye to supporting teacher-leaders in their current positions
and possible future careers as administrator-leaders.
Offered: fall. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 675 - Plan/Policy Devlpmt In Educ
Candidates will learn about the context and scope of policies at the federal, state,
and district levels that impact Pk-12 schools and learn how to help shape, apply,
and communicate those policies to all stakeholders. Candidates will learn how to
develop, implement, evaluate and revise school and district plans in order to achieve
goals and objectives collaboratively developed with school stakeholders. Offered:
fall. 3 credits.
Levels: Graduate
-
EDUC 692 - Internship
The internship and four session seminar for the District and Building Level Leadership
preparation and certification will provide the participants with opportunities to
learn through doing, and to build capacity for increasing leadership challenges, working
with the support of school district and building leaders in local districts. Interns
will learn from each other in the class with support of their mentors and class instructor
as they strive to promote learning and achievement for all students and solve the
problems faced by educators in the schools. Offered: fall, spring, and summer. Variable
credits (1-3).
Levels: Graduate
