Program Overview

100% Online | 6 Courses | 18 Credit Hours

The Certificate Only option in Educational Leadership provides candidates with the content knowledge necessary to meet GaPSC requirements for Tier I Educational Leadership certification. It is an eighteen (18) hour program. Admission to Tier I is open to any individual who meets the admission requirements of the Educator Preparation Provider (EPP).  

Admission to and completion of Tier I does not ensure employment in a leadership position. Under state law, completion of an approved Tier I program will not lead to additional pay until employed by a Local Unit of Administration (LUA) in a leadership position that requires Tier I certification. 

EPPs may limit admission based upon program capacity; in other words, admission may be limited if a provider caps enrollment based on various resources including the ability to place candidates with trained mentors. The program is highly professionally oriented, and candidates for the program are expected to currently be employed in an organization providing professional educational services (e.g., school, regional educational service agency, department of education). Field activities incorporate practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for today’s educational leader. 

Program Course Requirements

Instructional Leadership Core (12 Credit Hours)

  • EDL 7101: Critical Analysis of Policy, Theory and Praxis for Educational Leaders
  • EDL 7615: Communication and Community Relations, for School Leaders
  • EDL 7215: Data-Informed Curriculum and Assessment for Educational Leaders
  • EDL 7401: Instructional Leadership for Learning & Change

Operational Management Core (6 Credit Hours)

  • EDL 7415: Human Resources, Law, and Ethics for School Leaders
    EDL 7601: School Operations and Organizational Management

Required Courses (18 Credit Hours)

Admission Requirements

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

  • Master’s degree in an educational field
  • Employment role in an organization providing educational services*  
  • 2.75 GPA in bachelor’s degree coursework or most recent graduate degree  
  • Evidence of at least two years of teaching experience
  • Admissions Portfolio
    • Professional Resume
    • Recommendation Form from school system administrator or designee
    • EDL Mentor Form demonstrating that the mentor is actively employed in a leadership position in a P-12 school or LUA and holds a clear, renewable PSC Leadership Tier I (FLD700) or Leadership Tier II (FLD710) Certificate Field.
    • GACE Leadership Ethic Assessment Completion Certificate
    • Clear Renewable Georgia Educator Certificate** 

 * Candidates are required to be employed as teachers or administrators in a traditional public school district, a charter school district, a charter school, or an independent school. By PSC regulation, candidates must be referred for admissions by their respective schools/districts, and Kennesaw State University must hold a Performance-Based partnership with the referring district. 

 ** Individuals from out of state who are not seeking Georgia certification are strongly advised to contact their respective state licensing agency to determine if this program curriculum meets the requirements in their state. 

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases

Students classified as non-degree students are not permitted to enroll in the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. This program will not provide graduate level course work for certification renewal purposes.

Transfer Credits 

Tier I Certification Only may rarely accept 3 hours of approved credit with a “B” or better and no more than 5 years old.

Deadlines 

  • Enrollment for Spring - Deadline November 15 
  • Enrollment for Summer - Deadline May 1
  • Enrollment for Fall - Deadline July 1

Contact Us

For additional questions, please email the Program Coordinator, Dr. Cathey Goodgame, at cgoodgam@kennesaw.edu or call (470) 578-6888 or email edldepartment@kennesaw.edu for additional information.