Certificate in Tier I School Leadership and Administration

The UNG Tier I program in School Leadership and Administration is PSC approved, incorporates a core of professional knowledge, includes an experiential component, and facilitates mastery of the Georgia Leadership Standards in educational leadership. Program emphases include strong content training in school administration, practical application of content, and mentoring with field experts in today’s changing context of public school administration.

This certification only program is a non-degree-granting program for experienced education professionals who have a Master’s degree and seek to develop their leadership potential and gain the credential to be an entry-level school or district leader. These individuals are committed to the improvement of Pre-K-12 education and aspire to be organizational leaders at the Tier I level (not evaluating principals or central office leaders). Tier I is a prerequisite for the Tier II EDS Program and certification, which allows candidates to become Principals, Directors, or Superintendents in a P-12 district.

Program objectives are drawn from the core content identified by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC, 2015), Georgia Educational Leadership Standards (GELS), and guided by the Georgia Leader Keys Effective System (LKES) which define the expectations for leadership performance in Georgia schools.

The final demonstration of competence is the ePortfolio, which is comprised of the Leadership Development Plan with Evidence & Artifacts, Internship Time Log with reflections on field experiences, and Key Assessments across the coursework. Candidates who complete the requirements of the Tier I program must also pass the GA Ethics Exam and the Georgia Leadership Exam (GACE) to qualify for certification through the GA PSC.

Accredited regionally through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and nationally accredited through Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Hybrid with a balance between Class Sessions and Online Assignments.

4 semesters: Summer-Fall-Spring-Summer.

The program is designed to prepare professionals for entry-level administrative positions in schools, school districts, and educational agencies.

A minimum of three (3) years full-time teaching experience in the classroom, a Master’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale), and a passing score on the required writing sample.

Applicants should submit the online application, a Letter of Recommendation from supervisor or school/district administrator, a current Resume/curriculum vitae, the writing sample, and transcripts from all colleges attended.

The final demonstration of competence is the ePortfolio, which is comprised of the Leadership Development Plan including site-based feedback on the leadership standards, internship time log and reflection on field experiences, and Key Assessments  across the coursework. The final checklist to be eligible for Tier I Leadership Performance Certification also includes mastery of all leadership standards, competencies, and skills demonstrated through the assigned Tier 1 performances and assessments and a passing score on the Georgia Leadership Examination (GACE).

The cost of this program is equal to tuition and fees for the Academic Year of Enrollment as stated by the UNG Registrar’s Office.