WHAT IS THE CERTIFICATE
OF ADVANCED STUDY IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP?
The Certificate of Advanced
Study [CAS] in Educational Leadership is a certificate provided
by SUNY Cortland to students who successfully complete an approved
graduate program. Completion of the program also permits SUNY
Cortland to recommend students to the N.Y. State Education Department
for various administrative certifications, including the School
Building Leader (SBL), School District Leader (SDL), and School
District Business Leader (SDBL).WHAT IS
THE EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAM?
The Educational Leadership
Program has three strands. The first two strands would typically
be applied for by students who hold permanent teaching certification
in New York and are interested in becoming certified school
administrators. These strands are the School Building Leader
(SBL) and School District Leader (SDL). Those students successfully
completing all coursework and the internship may qualify for
both these certifications, thereby making themselves more marketable
in employment. The third strand – School District Business
Leader (SDBL) - would be applied for by students who are not
permanently certified to teach but hold a master’s degree
and are interested in applying for the NYS certification as
a school business administrator.
Program Requirements for Certificate of Advanced Study
Students entering the
program (SBL and SDL) who hold a Master’s degree and permanent
teaching certification in New York must complete either 24 or
27 hours of course work and either 3 or 6 hours of internship
credit (27 hours of course work + 3 hours of internship credit
= 30; 24 hours of course work + 6 hours of internship credit
= 30).
Requirements for School Building Leader (SBL) and School District
Leader (SDL) students
SUNY Cortland students
planning to acquire the SBL and/or SDL certificates must complete
24-27 hours of required course work plus an administrative internship.
For those students wishing to qualify for both the SBL and SDL
certifications, no elective courses can be included. All courses
are required to qualify for both the SBL and SDL certificates
from NYSED. Students should note that their internship experience
must contain both a building and district level component in
order to qualify for both the SBL and SDL certificates.The SUNY
Cortland Educational Leadership faculty encourages all eligible
students to earn and apply for both the SBL and SDL certificates
at the successful completion of their program of study. Being
a school leader with both certifications will make the graduate
far more marketable in the employment field.
Program Requirements for School District Business Leader
(SDBL) students
Students entering the
program who do not hold permanent teaching certification in
New York, but have an earned master’s degree, must successfully
complete either 30 or 33 hours of course work and either 3 or
6 hours of internship credit (33 hours of course work + 3 hours
of internship credit = 36; 30 hours of course work + 6 hours
of internship credit = 36). Ten courses, including at least
a 3 credit hour internship in a school district business office,
are required, with an additional 6 credits earned in an extended
internship and/or additional elective coursework. Students should
note that their internship experience must be done in a school
business office.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION?
There are both college
and department requirements for admission to the program. Admission
packets are available through the Office of Graduate Studies.
SBL and SDL Strand: For teacher certified individuals, a master’s
degree and permanent teaching certificate are additionally required
for admission. SDBL Strand: Students who are not certified to
teach in New York State are additionally required to have a
master’s degree from an accredited institution of higher
education recognized by SUNY Cortland. This program of study
is the only option for those students with a non-education background.
ARE THERE ANY TIME LIMITS FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM?
Students may take up
to nine (9) credit hours before being matriculated into the
program. The program must be completed in five (5) years from
the time of the first course, not from the time of matriculation.
ONCE IN THE PROGRAM, WHAT COURSE REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET?
The Educational Leadership
Program is so structured that there is little, if any, room
for elective courses. The educational path you select should
be based on the type of administrative position you plan to
pursue. Plan your courses with your program advisor.
MAY I USE COURSES TAKEN FOR MY MASTER’S DEGREE
TOWARD THE CAS?
No, the same course may
not be used to fulfill certification (or program) requirements
for two different programs.
“CERTIFICATE OF ADVANCE STUDY” AND “STATE
EDUCATION CERTIFICATION” – ARE THEY THE SAME
THING?
No, the Certificate of
Advanced Study [CAS] in Educational Leadership is awarded to
students by the College. The New York State Education Department
certifies you to practice as a school leader, and this is signified
through the three certifications awarded by the state –
SBL [School Building Leader], SDL [School District leader],
and the SDBL [School District Business Leader].Currently, NYSED
does NOT require Athletic Directors to be certified. However,
school districts may require Athletic Directors to hold this
certificate. Directors of Physical Education are required by
NYSED to hold administrative certification.
GRADUATION
Near the completion of
your program you should contact the Office of Graduate Studies
(607-753-4800) to request a review of your records to verify
that you have met requirements for graduation. This should be
done by November 1 for January graduates, March 1 for May graduates,
and June 1 for August graduates.
MAY I TRANSFER COURSES FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS INTO THE CORTLAND
PROGRAM?
SUNY Cortland’s
Educational Leadership Program has little, if any, room for
electives. Students wishing to transfer required Educational
Leadership courses in from approved colleges should contact
their program advisor before taking the course(s). Not all transfers
will be accepted. Contact your advisor first.
WHAT
SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Contact your program
advisor or the Educational Leadership Department Chair at SUNY
Cortland (607-753-2444) or the SUNY IT Graduate Office (315-792-7828).