Educational Leadership (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

This 24-credit graduate certificate is reserved for applicants who already have a master’s degree and a valid teaching license. This program emphasizes an understanding of the complexities of change in schools, communities, and organizations. Participants develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to create and maintain learning environments that value diversity, continual knowledge acquisition, instructional leadership, innovative and ethical decision making, reflective practice, and successful achievement of all students.

What it costs

The cost for this program is $693.25 per credit hour for VA state residents, $893.25 per credit hour for Non-VA residents. There is a 15% PreK-12 VA Educators Discount available for VA state residents who are eligible and apply. See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees. All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Application Deadline

This program has a priority application deadline of March 1 for Fall and October 15 for Spring. We will be reviewing and considering applications that are complete as of October 15. We will continue reviewing complete applications beyond October 15 as space is available. Incomplete, online applicants will receive an email asking them if they wish to have their application moved to the Campus Program or have the incomplete application re-opened for the Online Program in Fall. For all application information and deadlines, see the CEHD Admissions site.

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DETAILS COURSES COST CAREERS CONTACT READY TO APPLY?

Who should apply?

This 24-credit graduate certificate fulfills Virginia requirements for an endorsement in Administration and Supervision PK-12. Ideal candidates are interested in pursuing school or district level administration positions as instructional leaders and…

Are invested in improving instruction and student achievement
Are self-directed and focused on connecting theory to practice
Are prepared to engage in scholarly and professional dialogue through collaboration
Are committed to life-long learning
Are willing to embrace a disposition for advocacy, integrity, intellectual curiosity, and responsibility for one’s own learning

Why choose George Mason?

Mason’s Education Leadership program is supported by a large faculty with impressive backgrounds as researchers, entrepreneurs, as well as current and former district level leaders, such as superintendents and principals. Each has a genuine interest in developing your potential to impact PK-12 student learning positively.
A selective admissions process means you’ll learn alongside colleagues who are experienced, high-performing educators. Your fellow students will become part of a professional network that lasts a lifetime.
The Education Leadership program is nationally recognized by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).
The program includes all coursework required for a Virginia Administration and Supervision PK-12 endorsement.
The program is carefully structured for an online format and designed to fit a busy life, with 1-2 courses offered online each semester. This allows for timely completion with most students earning a master’s degree within two years.
Mason is a great value, with in-state graduate tuition among the lowest of comparable institutions.

Program requirements are subject to change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Students will take courses as a cohort in the pre-determined sequence listed below. All courses are available in an online format and are delivered asynchronously.

Requirements: 24 credits total

EDLE 620 Organizational Theory and Leadership | 3 credit hours
EDLE 690 Using Research to Lead School Improvement | 3 credit hours
EDLE 791 Internship in Educational Leadership | 3 credit hours (minimum of one year duration)
EDLE 612 Education Law | 3 credit hours
EDLE 616 Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 credit hours
EDLE 614 Managing Financial and Human Resources | 3 credit hours
EDLE 618 Supervision and Evaluation of Instruction | 3 credit hours
EDLE 610 Leading Schools and Communities | 3 credit hours (last course for Endorsement)

This 24-credit graduate certificate is designed for educators who already hold a valid teaching license and already have a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university. It offers a state-approved (Virginia) sequence of courses leading to the Administration and Supervision PreK-12 endorsement.

See the Online Course of Study here.

Tuition (2021-2022)

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT HOUR
Virginia Resident	$543.00
Non-Virginia Resident	$743.00
Mandatory Student fee	$150.25
Total Cost for Virginia Residents per Credit	$693.25
Total Cost for Non-Virginia Residents per Credit	$893.25
Graduate New Student Fee	$60 (non-refundable, one-time fee)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees. Internship courses will incur a higher CEHD course fee to fund on-site assistance involving intensive clinical training/supervision.

*VA state residents who are eligible must apply for the 15% PreK-12 VA Educators Discount in order to take advantage of the lower tuition. Discount applies to tuition and mandatory student fees only.

Financial Aid

For information on loans and scholarships, visit the Financial Aid website or call 703-993-2353. General information for funding options in the College of Education and Human Development is available here.

Many school districts offer tuition reimbursement options. Speak to your employer for more information.

Career Enhancement

The Education Leadership Program is dedicated to improving the quality of PK-12 education through teaching, research, and service. Candidates and practicing administrators engage in course work devoted to experiential learning, professional growth opportunities, and doctoral research that informs practice. We educate exceptional leaders who act with integrity as they work to improve schools.

Specific positions that graduates of this program may obtain include Assistant Principal at the Elementary or Secondary levels, Dean, Principal, Athletic Director, Activities Director, Special Education Leadership, or district level positions, such as Curriculum Specialist or Professional Development Coordinator. Key employers of graduates include county and public schools in Virginia, Maryland, and the DC Metropolitan area.

All Mason students have access to career guidance and resources through University Career Services.

Further Studies

Students with a Masters degree in a related field may apply for Mason’s PhD in Education Leadership face-to-face program.

USEFUL RESOURCES
Academic Program Office	Education Leadership Graduate School of Education, College of Education and Human Development Phone: (703) 993-3633 Email: edleprog@gmu.edu
Department Website	http://education.gmu.edu/education-leadership/
CEHD Website	http://cehd.gmu.edu/

All applicants should review the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Admissions page. For international applicants, see guidelines for International Graduate Requirements.

Prerequisites

Bachelor’s degree from a US institution that is accredited by one of the organizations found here
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of study (Some applicants with a lower GPA may be admitted provisionally if there is sufficient evidence of potential success)
At least two years of documented successful, full-time teaching in an accredited school
Valid teaching license

Application Materials

Graduate application
Application fee
Goal statement (750 -1000 words) that addresses reasons for choosing leadership as a profession
Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended (applicants do not need to send transcripts for courses taken at George Mason University). Once admitted, official transcripts will be needed.
Two recommendation forms – one recommendation must be from an administrator who has supervised you in a school setting, and the second recommendation can be from anyone you choose.
Resume with your education, professional licenses/certifications, and professional experience.

The last step in the admissions process will be an interview. You must complete the online admissions application and submit all required information by listed deadlines to be scheduled for an interview.

If you have any questions about pre-requisites, please contact the EDLE program at edleprog@gmu.edu. If you have any questions during the application process, please contact the CEHD Admissions Office at cehdgrad@gmu.edu or (703) 993-2892.

Education Leadership (Graduate Certificate)