Program goal
The post-master’s certificate is a 21-hour program for individuals who have obtained a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university; the degree must be in the field of education or in one that meets the requirements to be employed in a position requiring licensure in Virginia. Applicants must have an active renewable educator license and have at least two years of experience in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia. This program is available in an online format.
Student learning outcomes
- Candidates demonstrate content knowledge: Candidates demonstrate content knowledge in educational leadership.
- Design, align, evaluate curriculum, guide learning: Candidates demonstrate the ability to develop a supervisory plan for classroom-based learning.
- Internship/clinical practice: Candidates demonstrate effective applications in internship/clinical practice.
- Assess application of content: Candidates demonstrate application of content.
- Assess management and community relations: Candidates demonstrate organizational management and community relations skills.
VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs
The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.
It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.
Graduation requirements
As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.
Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.
Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.
Admission requirements
| Degree: | Semester(s) of entry: | Deadline dates: | Test requirements: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Summer | Mar 1 |
In addition to the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School, the following requirements represent the minimum acceptable standards for admission:
- Must hold a master’s degree in the field of education or in one that meets the requirements to be employed in a position requiring licensure in Virginia
- Must have an active renewable educator license
- Have at least two years of school experience in an instructional personnel position that requires licensure in Virginia
- Two letters of recommendation addressing the student’s potential for graduate study in education
- Statement of intent
- Transcripts of all previous college work
Please visit the School of Education website for further information.
Degree requirements
In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, students are required to complete course work in core and elective courses.
- Credit hour requirements: Students are required to complete a minimum of 21 credit hours.
- Grade requirements: Receipt of a grade of C or below in two courses constitutes automatic dismissal from the program. Courses with a grade below C cannot be used to satisfy degree requirements.
- Testing requirements: Individuals must take the School Leaders Licensure Assessment or any other assessment required by the Virginia Board of Education for endorsement as a school principal/supervisor K-12.
Curriculum requirements
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ADMS 611 | School Law | 3 |
| ADMS 618 | Leadership for Change and Improvement | 3 |
| ADMS 625 | Leadership for Individualized Learning | 3 |
| ADMS 627 | Enhancing and Supporting Instruction | 3 |
| ADMS 633 | Multiple Dimensions of Leadership | 3 |
| ADMS 640 | Human Resource and Fiscal Management | 3 |
| ADMS 670 | Administrative Internship I 1 | 1 |
| ADMS 671 | Administrative Internship II 2 | 1 |
| ADMS 675 | Administrative Internship III 3 | 1 |
| Assessment | ||
| Individuals must take the SLLA or any other assessment required by the Virginia Board of Education for endorsement as a school principal/supervisor K-12. (no credit) | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
ADMS 670 must be taken in the first semester of enrollment in the program.
ADMS 671 is taken in the next-to-last semester of enrollment in the program.
ADMS 675 is taken in the last semester of enrollment in the program.
The minimum total of graduate credit hours required for this certificate is 21.
Contact
Office of Strategic Recruitment
soeinfo@vcu.edu
(804) 827-6847
Additional contact
Whitney Newcomb, Ph.D.
Professor, chair and graduate program director
wsnewcomb@vcu.edu
(804) 828-8724
Program website: soe.vcu.edu/academics/certificates/educational-leadership