Graduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership

 

Take Your School District and Career to the Next Level

You have the leadership and vision to take your school district to the next level. Now, let West Chester University give you the credential.

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership (Superintendent Letter of Eligibility) at West Chester University equips students to think strategically to solve complex issues across the education spectrum by providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for professional growth.

This Graduate Certificate is one component of the Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (LOE). West Chester University and the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) have partnered to assist interested candidates in earning the LOE endorsed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The superintendent role in public school systems is key to the success of the stakeholders: students, teachers, families, communities, and this 12-credit program is designed to help graduates provide academic and intellectual value to their districts and beyond. Students will gain experience in leadership and decision-making that will contribute to their own success and to the success of the students and the educators.

Our 12-credit (4-course) program can be completed in as little as two semesters.

 

Benefits of Earning Your Graduate Certificate at West Chester University

Flexible Coursework

The graduate certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership was designed with full-time professionals in mind. The program has a hybrid format with both online and in-person coursework. This allows our students to balance school, work, and family responsibilities. The 12-credit program is 4 courses, each with 45 hours of field placement, and can be completed in as few as two semesters. Placements are within your current school or a school or your choice within the state of Pennsylvania.

Accomplished Faculty and Small Classes

WCU has an outstanding faculty with connections to schools locally and regionally who bring decades of expertise and passion to the classroom each day.

At WCU, our small graduate classes mean you’ll receive personalized attention and an individualized program experience with faculty who are deeply committed to providing mentorship and support to each student.

As a member of a cohort-based program, you’ll be surrounded by other educational professionals with years of experience. You’ll learn as much from each other as you do from faculty and will build a regional support network.

Affordable Tuition

Affordability is part of WCU’s mission and our tuition is among the most affordable in the region. To help put your graduate studies within reach, WCU also offers financial aid, employee reimbursement options, payment plans, and graduate assistantships.

Personalized Career Advising

As a graduate student at WCU, you’ll have full access to the Twardowski Career Development Center (CDC). The experts at the CDC will help you explore career options, write your résumé, perfect your interviewing skills, and create a job search strategy. The CDC also hosts employment fairs on campus throughout the year.

 

What Can You Do with a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership?

Our program helps students think critically about diverse educational issues by providing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills for professional growth. As a student in the Advanced Educational Leadership program, you’ll gain experience in leadership and decision-making that will contribute to your own success and to the success of students. Join us to be a positive force in the lives of students.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for upper administrators is more than $100,000 annually. Salary for superintendents varies widely by area and district, with the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia earning more than $300,000 annually.

Our graduates have secured positions throughout Pennsylvania.

 

What Will You Study as a Student in the Advanced Educational Leadership Certificate Program?

Our graduate certificate in advanced educational leadership is a 12-credit (4-course), cohort-based model with 180 hours of built-in fieldwork. The entire program can be completed in just two semesters.