Educational Leadership
Director of Education: Erin Churchill, 914-654-5330, Chidwick 103


Advanced Diploma in School District Leader leading to Professional Certification as a School District Leader – 12-15 credits

The Advanced Diploma in School District Leader is a 12-15 credit program designed for those who already hold a master’s degree in teacher education, educational leadership, or pupil personnel services and who wish to assume leadership roles on the district level.  The program focuses on current theory, practices, and issues in school district leadership.

Required Courses for Advanced Diploma in School District Leader leading to Professional Certification as School District Leader–12-15 credits


EDL 609         Superintendency:  Systems Management, Decision Making, & Ethics
EDL 802         Building Effective School Board & Community Relationships
EDL 806         Leader as Change Agent

Internship:

Students have a choice of completing the 400 hour internship on a part-time basis over two semesters (6 credits) or on a full-time basis in one semester (3 credits).

EDL 963         Internship in School District Leadership  (Full-time internship)
EDL 964         Internship I in School District Leadership  (Part-time internship) 
EDL 965         Internship II in School District Leadership (Part-time internship)

Admission for Matriculated Status

General admission requirements are the same as those for the Graduate School and
are as follows:

  1. A completed application form;
  2. Application fee;
  3. Evidence of a bachelor’s degree;
  4. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning previous attended. Student copies are not acceptable.
  5. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or graduate GPA of 3.0 is required.
    Two letters of reference;
  6. A personal interview with the Assistant Dean;
  7. A writing sample done at The College of New Rochelle;
  8. Immunization records if applicant was born after January 1, 1957;

In addition, students applying for admission to the program with a matriculated
status must also provide the following:

  1. A resume from the candidate;
  2. A master’s degree in teacher education, educational leadership, or pupil      personnel services from an accredited college or university;
  3. Successful completion of a minimum of 45-48 graduate credits in teacher education, educational leadership, or pupil personnel service from an accredited college or university;
  4. A copy of a New York State professional or permanent teaching certificate or certification in SBL/SAS or in the process of applying for and obtaining a professional or permanent teaching certificate or certification in SBL/SAS;
  5. The two required letters of recommendation must be submitted by school   administrators, college professors or other persons who have direct knowledge of   the student’s   potential as a school leader and for success in the program.  One recommendation must be from a school supervisor or administrator;
  6. Evidence of a minimum of three years’ full-time, paid, approved teaching service and/or educational leadership service and/or pupil personnel service experience serving pupils within grades PK-12.

Those individuals with a provisional or initial Teaching Certificate seeking permanent or professional teacher certification as a result of having completed this degree should know that the New York State Department of Education will evaluate their eligibility on an individual basis and that they may not necessarily be granted a permanent or professional teaching certificate.

When the College has received all application materials, an appointment to provide a writing sample will be arranged. This sample will identify those who might benefit from assistance from The College of New Rochelle’s Learning Support Services, available at no cost to students admitted to the program. 

All applicants must arrange for an interview with the Assistant Dean before formal acceptance.

Please note: Only matriculated students are permitted to enroll in Internship courses, and only matriculated students who complete a master’s degree program, an advanced certificate program or advanced diploma program will be eligible for recommendation by the College of New Rochelle for certification. 

Admission to Candidacy

            Students will be evaluated for admission to candidacy upon completion of twelve credits toward the master’s degree.  Grades and suitability for work in school building and district leadership will be the basis for this evaluation. Students not admitted to candidacy will be withdrawn from the program.

Graduation Requirements

  1. Completion of the specified 12-15 credits of coursework including internship;
  2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (B);
  3. Admittance to candidacy;
  4. Demonstration of professional suitability for the field;
  5. Successful completion of the examination in School District Leadership;
  6. Completion of all requirements within five years from the date of matriculation;
  7. Candidates for graduation who have not previously done so will need to take two 2-hour workshops in “School Violence Prevention and Intervention” and also in “Child Abuse Identification and Reporting.”
  8. Although not required for graduation, fingerprinting will be required for New York State certification.


NYSED Examination in School District Leadership

Effective September 1, 2007 all applicants for certification as a School District Leader will be required to take and pass an examination required by the New York State Education Department.  Further details will be made available on the NYSED website at www.nysed.gov/tcert/TEACH.  Successful completion of the New York State Education Department’s examination in School District Leadership is a requirement for this Advanced Diploma in School District Leader.