Educational Leadership School District/Building Online
Master of Science / Advanced Certificate
Online Program
Online Program
Niagara University’s educational leadership program is a CAEP-accredited graduate program that prepares candidates for leadership roles. The educational leadership program focuses on the development of leaders with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to lead educational communities and nonprofit organizations. Individuals enrolled in the programs come from small, large, rural and urban school districts, as well as varying communities and represent a rich diversity that adds depth and breadth to the Niagara experience.
Niagara’s educational leadership program is fully online, and is offered in these programs
Programs are practical and based on current theory and research. The program is aligned to NELP standards for educational leadership.
The NU educational leadership programs are delivered online, synchronously using video conferencing.
Enrolled candidates are from all across New York State, including New York City. Classes consist of a vibrant mix of gender, race, and ethnicity. Many candidates have doctoral degrees.
The graduate tuition for the educational leadership program is competitively priced as an online program. Program candidates, depending on individual circumstances, may be eligible for financial aid.
Program instructors are exceptionally well qualified. The program is based on NELP standards and is focused on the practical application of leadership. All instructors are, or have been, practicing practitioners.
How long it will take is dependent on how many credit hours a candidate takes per semester. We have three semesters, Fall, Spring, and Summer. Generally speaking, candidates could take two classes per semester and their internships allowing them to finish the program in 2 years (7 semesters). There are other options available that will allow the student to complete the program in one year (3 semesters) or one and a half years (5 semesters).
Planning Guides are available for each program. The Planning Guide provides the required courses for the program along with any additional requirements such as the required State Test and they Niagara University Comprehensive Exam.
Transfer Credit is available under certain conditions. Any credit provided can only be for graduate courses taken beyond the first masters degree from an accredited college or university. Courses considered for transfer credit must directly align with the content of a required Niagara University Course. Consideration is given based upon the candidate’s official transcript, grade and the most recent catalog description. Consideration for transfer credit should take place at the time of initial enrollment with the candidate’s assigned advisor.
There is a required oral exam for school building leadership and a required written exam for school district leadership. These exams are designed to measure the candidate’s content knowledge based upon the six ELCC standards. The exams are individually scheduled and generally taken near the end of the candidate’s program.
Each of Niagara University’s Educational Leadership Programs requires an internship experience consisting of two (2) three credit hour courses. Candidates are required to log three-hundred hours of authentic leadership experience aligned to the ELCC Standards in each course and complete the required portfolio requirements. Candidates arrange for their own internship site and mentor. Generally speaking, the internship location is in the candidate’s current employment location. Mentors need to be certified with at least three years of leadership experience. It is recommended that the internship experience be taken near the end of the candidate’s course work, but there is flexibility based upon individual circumstances.
Candidates are assigned an advisor upon completion of the admission process. The advisor is available throughout the candidates Niagara University experience. Candidates also have access to the Education Department Administrative assistant and the Program Coordinator to help resolve issues, problems, or concerns.
Decisions for admittance into the graduate program are based upon a comprehensive system, which includes multiple measures to assess the personal characteristics, communications and basic skills proficiency of candidates.
This system includes (a) application (b) official transcripts or in-progress letter (c) references (d) statement of intent (e) resume and/or experience profile
Students may attend an interview which will examine the student’s career goals, personal readiness for their program, multicultural sensitivity and awareness, and personal judgment and decision-making skills.
Yes!
If you are matriculated (accepted) student you may qualify for a Stafford Student Loan, a Federal Perkins Loan, a TAP award (New York state residents).
Students must maintain a B average in course work and successfully complete a comprehensive examination and all practicum and internship placements.
Dean of Students
District Administrator
Instructional Coordinator
Principal
University Registrar
Council for the Accreditation for Teacher Education (CAEP)
