Graduate Programs

The program of study in educational administration is designed to satisfy the requirements of The Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration (CAS). This is a certificate provided by SUNY Cortland to students who complete an approved graduate course of study.

Completion of the program also permits SUNY Cortland to recommend students to the New York State Education Department for various administrative certifications.

The Educational Administration Program has two tracks. The first would typically be applied for by students who hold permanent teaching certification in New York and are interested in becoming certified school administrators.

The second would typically 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 school business administrator (SDBL) certification in order to become a school business administrator only.

Admission Requirements
SBL [School Building Leader] and SDL [School District Leader] candidates must hold a permanent teaching certificate and a master’s degree.

For those candidates seeking the SDBL [School District Business Leader] certificate: Those persons who are not certified to teach in New York State are required to have a master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education recognized by SUNY Cortland to be admitted to the program.

In addition to the admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies, the Educational Leadership Department requires the following:

Detailed criteria and submission forms can on the Application Information page.

Please note: All Educational Leadership Department forms and submissions must accompany the application for Graduate Studies when it is submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Time Limits for Completing the Program
You must apply for acceptance to the program before starting your seventh hour (in other words, before signing up for your third course). You have five (5) years to complete the program from the time you take your first course, not from when you are accepted.

General Requirements for Certificate of Advanced Study
Students entering the program 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)
The program is designed in such a way that a student can meet the requirements for a Building Level Administrator (SBL) and school District Leader (SDL) within 30 credit hours. This is done by taking the unique requirement of one (EDL 680 or EDL 690) as electives in the other. We believe this provides the student with the greatest professional flexibility upon graduation.

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 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).

Each student planning to acquire the SDBL must complete 24 hours of required course work. These are listed in “Core Requirements for SDBL Students" under Career Directions at the end of this document.

School District Leader (SDL) certification
The School District Leader (SDL) certificate is provided to eligible candidates from the State Education Department. The SDL certifies an individual for all administrative positions and is permanent immediately once issued.

Typically, those who hold a master’s degree plus CAS will be eligible to receive the SDL. It requires 24 hours of education administration course work, 3-6 hours of Internship (30 hours overall above the master’s)