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Advanced Graduate Certificate

School Building, District, and District Business Leadership

Group of young professionals
Succeed in your School Leadership Career

Shape a vision for your students, create a caring social climate, shape a vision of your school or district as a caring environment in which staff support all students in learning and social development, and support learning in your school and school district. 

The advanced graduate certificates in school and school district leadership provide you with administrative expertise and the credentials to move into positions of greater responsibility and impact in New York State K-12 public and private schools. 


For more information, contact Kathie Spring at [email protected]

"Everyone who enters this program is going to find a supportive community, not only with your instructors, but with your classmates."

Aaron Thiell
Principal, North Colonie Central Schools
AGC School Building Leader, Class of 2011

School Building Leadership Certificate

The first certificate in the leadership series, this program shows you how to maximize student success and achieve continuous school and improvement with strategies that enhance instruction, increase family engagement, support teacher collaboration, and promote inclusion in K-12 schools. 

You must earn this certificate before pursuing the School District Leadership certificate.

Program of Study

Core Courses

  • Law and Education
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Social Analysis
  • Quantitative Methods in Educational Leadership
  • Supervisory Leadership
  • Financial and Human Resources in Education
  • Family and Community Partnerships
  • School Leadership Internship

Electives

  • Politics of Education
  • Current Research on School Reform

See the Graduate Bulletin for details

Deadlines
  • Fall: Rolling  
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Rolling

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Statement of goals
  • Prior teaching certificate
  • Masters degree
    Must have a Masters degree in ed or related area, permanent or professional certificate in teaching or pupil personnel. 
  • Leadership essay
    Please type one essay of no more than 800 words each from among the three possible topics below:
    • i. Summarize the leadership activities in which you have been involved in recent years and explain how these experiences reflect your vision of and capacity for leadership.
    • ii. Identify a problem or challenge in a school, school-related organization, or your professional life generally and write an analysis in which you assess the issues(s), describe effective strategies for addressing the issue(s), and make clear the implications for the exercise of effective leadership in the situation.
    • iii. Describe a problem of educational policy decision-making, policy content, or policy implementation, and explain how a deeper understanding of policy or the policy process could improve the situation.

 

Applicants that hold a valid NY COVID Emergency certificate may apply.

 

Available information for applicants.

 

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

admissions

School District Leadership Certificate

Learn how to approach school board, government, and community relations and work with senior school district managers to manage district affairs, create and implement policies, and allocate resources. 

You must earn the School Building Leadership certificate before you pursue this certificate.

Program of Study
  • School Board and Community-School Relations 
  • Economics of Education II 
  • Advanced Human Resources Policies in Education 
  • Law and School District Leadership 
  • Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership
  • 6-hour DASA training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

Deadlines
  • Fall: Rolling  
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Rolling

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Statement of goals
  • Prior teaching certificate
  • Masters degree
    Must have a Masters degree in ed or related area, permanent or professional certificate in teaching or pupil personnel. 
  • Leadership essay
    Please type one essay of no more than 800 words each from among the three possible topics below:
    • i. Summarize the leadership activities in which you have been involved in recent years and explain how these experiences reflect your vision of and capacity for leadership.
    • ii. Identify a problem or challenge in a school, school-related organization, or your professional life generally and write an analysis in which you assess the issues(s), describe effective strategies for addressing the issue(s), and make clear the implications for the exercise of effective leadership in the situation.
    • iii. Describe a problem of educational policy decision-making, policy content, or policy implementation, and explain how a deeper understanding of policy or the policy process could improve the situation

 

Applicants that hold a valid NY COVID Emergency certificate may apply.

 

Available information for applicants.

 

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

School District Business Leadership Certificate

Master school business management by knowing how to handle policy issues related to district and state budgeting and financing, and by understanding how business practices can impact educational equity.

Program of Study
  • Economics of Education II
  • Advanced Human Resources Policies in Education
  • Advanced School Business Leadership 
  • Law and School District Leadership 
  • Advanced Seminar in Educational Leadership 
  • 6-hour DASA training in harassment, bullying, and discrimination
  • NYSED Leadership Assessment (achieve a passing exam score)

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

Deadlines
  • Fall: Rolling  
  • Spring: Rolling
  • Summer: Rolling

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume
  • Statement of goals
  • Masters degree
    Must have a Masters degree in ed or related area.
  • Leadership essay
    Please type one essay of no more than 800 words each from among the three possible topics below:
    • i. Summarize the leadership activities in which you have been involved in recent years and explain how these experiences reflect your vision of and capacity for leadership.
    • ii. Identify a problem or challenge in a school, school-related organization, or your professional life generally and write an analysis in which you assess the issues(s), describe effective strategies for addressing the issue(s), and make clear the implications for the exercise of effective leadership in the situation.
    • iii. Describe a problem of educational policy decision-making, policy content, or policy implementation, and explain how a deeper understanding of policy or the policy process could improve the situation.

 

Applicants that hold a valid NY COVID Emergency certificate may apply.

 

Please note: This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions.  If applicants have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of the intended academic program.

This program is approved for licensure or certification in New York State and the institution has not made a determination regarding the educational requirements for any other state.

Accreditation

The University at Albany is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.


 

Logo for the AAQEP - Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation
Accreditation Details

The programs listed below have been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through June 30, 2028. Full accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.


AAQEP-Accredited Programs and Annual Reports at the University at Albany


Advanced Graduate Certificate Programs


Master of Science Programs

Note: Students admitted to this program must complete the degree requirements and be awarded their degree by Summer 2026 (no later than August 31, 2026) in order to comply with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Additional details regarding this NYSED requirement. The department is currently in the process of creating a new program that meets the new NYSED certification requirements. Please check the Graduate Bulletin and the School of Education webpage for updates.

Student Learning Objectives


Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Advanced Graduate Certificate
  • Graduates are prepared to enter school building, school district or school district business leadership posts, appropriate to their specialization.
  • Graduates are prepared to draw from, and critically apply, information from the relevant knowledge and skill base.
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Careers and Advisement

The Pathways Into Education (PIE) Center is the central office on campus serving undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students interested in pursuing careers in education and programs leading to teacher certification.

Please call or email to schedule an appointment.

Graduate Advisement:
Email Graduate Advisement
(518) 442-3529