Online Educational Leadership Post-Master's Certification

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Educational Leadership Certificates

Develop your own leadership style in education

The nationally-recognized Education Leadership program at PennWest will prepare you to meet the needs of students.

PennWest has a strong legacy in the field of Education. Whether we are training future teachers or providing advanced certificates and degrees for school leaders, you can be sure we are teaching best practices so our graduates are well-prepared to meet the future needs of students entrusted to their care.

If you already have a master’s in Educational Leadership or a related field, you can now earn a post-master’s Educational Leadership certification online and receive additional opportunities to develop your own leadership style and acquire skills you need to take your career to the next level. Hundreds of web-based students around the world have taken advantage of our nationally recognized programs in Educational Leadership. Will you be next?

Fully Accredited

The Principal certification and Superintendent Letter are accredited by CAEP, nationally recognized by ELCC and approved by PDE. The Supervisor of Special Education certificate is accredited by CAEP and approved by PDE.

Internships

Hands-on internships in your field further enhance your leadership skills.

Flexible and Affordable

Earn a post-master's certification 100% online, at your own pace.

Fast Facts

Nationally ranked

Our graduate programs are consistently ranked among the best online programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Credits:

Varies by certificate program

Format:

100% online

Contact:

Graduate Admissions
gradadmissions@pennwest.edu
724-938-4187

Certificates and Certifications

Principal K-12
Supervisor of Special Education
Superintendent Letter of Eligibility

Careers and Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a consistent need for educational leaders in the U.S. They project about 22,100 openings for elementary, middle and high school principals each year, on average, over the decade.

Graduate Outcomes

Principal Certificate and Supervisor of Special Education:

  1. Collaboratively lead, design and implement a school mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities that include data use, technology, equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community (NELP Building Level Standard 1, 2018).
  2. Understand and demonstrate the capacity to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms (NELP Building Level Standard 2, 2018).
  3. Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive school culture (NELP Building Level Standard 3).
  4. Evaluate, develop and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, data systems, supports and assessment (NELP Building Level Standard 4, 2018).
  5. Engage families, community and school personnel in order to strengthen student learning, support school improvement and advocate for the needs of their school and community (NELP Building Level Standard 5, 2018).
  6. Improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance and operation systems to develop and improve data-informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies and regulations (NELP Building Level Standard 6, 2018).
  7. Build the school’s professional capacity, engage staff in the development of a collaborative professional culture and improve systems of staff supervision, evaluation, support and professional learning (NELP Building Level Standard 7, 2018).
  8. Complete an internship under the supervision of knowledgeable, expert practitioners that engages candidates in multiple and diverse school settings and provides candidates with coherent, authentic and sustained opportunities to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills identified in NELP standards 1–7 in ways that approximate the full range of responsibilities required of building-level leaders and enable them to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult in their school (NELP Building Level Standard 8, 2018).

Superintendent Letter:

  1. Mission, Vision and Improvement: Collaboratively lead, design and implement a district mission, vision and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities that include data use, technology, values, equity, diversity, digital citizenship and community. (NELP District Level Standard 1, 2018)
  2. Ethics and Professional Norms: Advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate professional norms and culture. (NELP District Level Standard 2, 2018)
  3. Equity, Inclusiveness and Cultural Responsiveness: Develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive and inclusive district culture. (NELP District Level Standard 3, 2018)
  4. Learning and Instruction: Evaluate, design, cultivate and implement coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, supports, assessment and instructional leadership. (NELP District Level Standard 4, 2018)
  5. Community and External Leadership: Understand and engage families, communities, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student and community needs. (NELP District Level Standard 5, 2018)
  6. Operations and Management: Develop, monitor, evaluate and manage district systems for operations, resources, technology and human capital management. (NELP District Level Standard 6, 2018)
  7. Policy Governance and Advocacy: Cultivate relationships, lead collaborative decision-making and governance, and represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations. (NELP District Level Standard 7, 2018)
  8. Internship: Complete an internship under the supervision of knowledgeable, expert practitioners that engages candidates in multiple and diverse district settings and provides candidates with coherent, authentic and sustained opportunities to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills identified in NELP Standards 1–7 in ways that approximate the full range of responsibilities required of district-level leaders and enable them to promote the current and future success and well-being of each student and adult in their district. (NELP District Level Standard 8, 2018).

Admissions Requirements

Principal K-12 (Certification Only)

  • Bachelor's Degree in Education and Certification in Education preferred
  • Master's degree in education or related field required.
  • Verification of three years of professional certificated service or three years of relevant professional experience in an educational setting that is related to the instructional process (as verified by PDE) prior to acceptance.
  • Mentor Form
  • Copy of professional certificate
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Writing sample: “Why have you chosen to be an educational leader?”

Supervisor of Special Education Post-Master's Certification

  • Master's degree in Special education or related field required
    * If student does not have a master’s degree in special education, additional graduate course as determined by the program coordinator is required.
  • Verification of five years professional certificated service in special education on a special education certificate prior to acceptance
  • Mentor Form
  • Copy of professional certificate
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae
  • Writing sample answering the question: “Why have you chosen to be an educational leader?”
  • If applicable, apply for the acceptance of transfer credit prior to the beginning of the program (when possible)

Superintendent Letter of Eligibility Certification

  • Master's or Doctorate degree with a GPA of 3.00 or higher (Students with a GPA below 3.00 may apply for conditional admission)
  • Official transcripts from an accredited graduate institution
  • Copy of all certifications

Should include Administrative Certification (i.e. Principal’s K-12 Certification) or Supervisory Certification (i.e. Curriculum Supervisor, Special Education Supervisor).  Applicants should review PDE guidelines to assure they can meet certification requirements.

  • A letter of endorsement from applicant's Superintendent
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae
  • A completed Applicant Data Sheet
  • Statement of career goals and degree objectives

Note:  At the completion of the program and upon application for endorsement for certification from PDE, you will be required to provide verification of completion of the required years of relevant administrative/supervisory experience from your district as per PDE guidelines.  Currently this requirement includes “evidence of six years of satisfactory school experience, of which three must be in a supervisory or an administrative capacity.” Also, applicants must currently hold an administrative/supervisory position in order to be able to meet internship requirements and PDE certification guidelines.  Please refer to the PDE website for the most current details to assure you can meet the work service requirement.

The Power of PennWest

PennWest’s three campuses, California, Clarion and Edinboro universities, have been delivering award-winning online programs for more than 20 years. You’ll graduate with a degree from Pennsylvania Western University, completely supported by the expertise and community of learners on our brick-and-mortar campuses.

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