Certification Overview

The Educational Leadership Certification program is an online standards-based leadership preparation program designed to be completed in one year. The graduate-level program prepares candidates with the knowledge and expertise to become transformative educational administrators and leaders capable of meeting the challenges and opportunities of education today and in the future.

The 18-credit hour Educational Leadership program will prepare teachers to meet the West Virginia (WV) requirements for a PreK-Adult Principal licensure; whereas the 21-credit hour program is designed to meet the WV requirements for a Superintendent licensure.

Program Outcomes

1. Examine the differences between a site-based manager, and an instructional leader and how those management-style roles relate to distributive leadership.

2. Analyze and describe the use of technology as it relates to instruction, social media, and communication with parents, students, staff and the community at large.

3. Apply the skills necessary to understand state and local funding and how those skills relate to the successful operation of a school system.

4. Analyze the hiring process, the teacher evaluation instrument and the grievance procedure and how to these processes relate to maintaining a highly quality staff.

5. Create and participate in mock situational roles involving the principal during hearings before the local Board of Education, and with students and parents.

6. Analyze the role of the principal in a critical conversation and resolution involving a staff member(s).

7. Examine the role of the principal regarding curriculum development and distinguish how this may impact the school culture and high expectations.

8. Examine laws, policies, and ethical challenges that have an impact on the educational setting. Upon reviewing the origins of the laws, policies and ethical standards, identify how the principal must have a working knowledge of those items to effectively manage a school and staff.

9. Examine the role of the superintendent in identifying community support, school board relations, and conflict resolution.

10. Demonstrate an understanding of skills as related to fiscal management to establish a yearly budget, management of federal funds and the passage of a school bond/levy.

11. Design innovative ideas to enhance communication between all stakeholders of the school community. Identify methods of communication that are innovative and immediate when responding to a crisis.

Program Delivery

The Educational Leadership program is 100% online and courses are offered on 8-week calendar during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students may enroll on a part-time or full-time basis.

Admission Criteria

• Submit admissions application to the Office of Admissions

• Pay $25 application fee

• Submit official college transcripts to the Office of Admissions.

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA

• Valid teaching license