Program Overview

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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 7215: Data-Informed Curriculum and Assessment for Educational Leaders
  • EDL 7401: Instructional Leadership for Learning & Change
  • EDL 7615: Communication and Community Relations, for School Leaders

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

Must possess the following beyond the general KSU Graduate College Admission Requirements: 

  • Degree – Master’s degree in professional education or a related field.  
  • Certificate – Uploaded to graduate application. Current clear, renewable Georgia Teaching or Service field Certificate or out-of-state equivalent.  To print a copy of your clear, renewable Georgia teaching certificate, you may log into your MyPSC account.
  • GACE Leadership Ethics Assessment – Completion Certificate must be uploaded to graduate application.  More information may be found on the GACE Leadership Ethics website. You may also print a copy of your completion certification from the GACE Ethics test taker website.
  • Résumé or Professional Vitae – uploaded to graduate application.
  • Experience – Minimum of TWO (2) years of teaching experience required.
  • Employment – Employed in role within an organization providing educational services.
  • Recommendation/Evaluation Form (1) – forms and their directions are in the online graduate application. May submit letter of recommendation or utilize evaluation form to be completed via the graduate application. The KSU Graduate College will send electronic evaluation forms to these sources. This recommendation should come from an educational professional who has taught or supervised your work and who can write with authority about your abilities as an educator.
  • Mentor Form – completed by a mentor holding a GaPSC clear, renewable Tier I or Tier II Leadership certificate. The Leadership Mentor Form provides instructions and requirements.  Completed form must be uploaded to graduate application. Individuals employed in a private school setting will need to reach out to the Bagwell Certification Officer for further guidance.  

Transfer Credits 

  • M.Ed. may accept up to 9 hours of approved credit with a “B” or better and no more than 5 years old.
  • 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 for Applications

Spring, November 15  |  Summer, May 1  |  Fall, 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.

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