Graduate Certificate in K-12 Educational Leadership: Online Courses in Education

Looking to develop additional competencies in a specific field of education? Kaplan University’s master’s-level certificate programs in the School of Graduate Education are designed for motivated educational professionals like you. Earning a professional certificate could help you meet the qualifications to advance within your field, or to pursue a career in a new field of education.*

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, education administrators could experience long-term national job growth through 2020, primarily as the result of the growth in enrollments of school-aged children.^† The Graduate Certificate in K-12 Educational Leadership could help you develop essential skills relevant to site-based educational leadership.

The certificate program includes four courses from the Master of Science in Education curriculum. Courses emphasize the role of the educational leader in today’s world, school finance and operations, legal issues in education, diversity, curriculum development for school improvement, supervision, and staff development.

The program consists of a minimum of 17 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate.

| Curriculum | Tuition and Fees

Program Highlights

The Graduate Certificate in K-12 Educational Leadership provides you with the opportunity to:

Evaluate school contexts with attention to relevant theory, philosophy, sociocultural perspectives, legal, and research-based best practices
Design safe, efficient, and effective operating plans for school budget, operations, curriculum, and staff management
Develop strategic approaches to leadership that respect cultural diversity and meet the needs of the school community
Adhere to ethical standards in all school leadership activities

What are the Career Opportunities?

A graduate certificate from Kaplan University could qualify you for a number of careers in the field, including principal, assistant principal, administrator, and subject area specialist positions.^‡

Prepare for Future Studies

Qualified credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate may be applied toward the requirements of certain Kaplan University degree programs. When the time is right, come back and earn your degree online at Kaplan University.

Curriculum for the Graduate Certificate in K-12 Educational Leadership

Course #	Course Title	Credits
ER 502	THE PRINCIPALSHIP	5 THE PRINCIPALSHIP This course examines school culture, standards, community building, and leadership in the context of issues and constraints that principals routinely face. The content of the course will inform decision making that influences practice and the effects on students and teachers. Students will review research on leading change in schools, training for tomorrow's principalship, budgeting issues, discipline, students with exceptionalities and who are from diverse backgrounds, technology, professional conduct, teacher evaluation, and establishment of effective professional learning communities. Students will review case studies about schools that made significant improvements under effective leadership.
ER 504	MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES	4 MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES This course will examine the economics of education, funding sources, and regulations regarding the use of such funds. Students will determine major budget pressures facing schools and identify ways they are meeting daily demands to provide quality education. The role of federal and state lawmakers in funding decisions will be explored. Students will consider the implications of poorly funded education and the impact on society. They will also address administering school resources including funding.
ER 506	LEGAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION	4 LEGAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION This course will investigate legal issues through assigned readings, class discussion, collaborative exercises, class presentations, and individual written papers. Topics will include constitutional rights, such as Title VII, the First Amendment, and the Fourteenth Amendment. Students will examine the interrelationship of law and education policy, court rulings on school governance, and the federal government's funding of education.
ER 508	SUPERVISION AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP	4 SUPERVISION AND INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP This course will investigate major factors that influence teacher effectiveness and the impact of school leaders. Students will examine the role of leadership in building and sustaining a school vision, forming effective teacher teams, shared leadership, leading learning communities, data-driven decision making, and monitoring curriculum and instruction. The course explores models of effective leadership based on best practices. Students will create a strategic plan for instructional effectiveness. They will review the research on instructional leadership and the methods principals use to exhibit and harness leadership that enables schools to meet their goals.

Total Program Requirements	17 Total Program Requirements

Certificate Requirements
Total Program Requirements

You Could Save Time and Money on Your Kaplan University Degree

Credit for Prior Learning

If you already earned course credits at another institution, you may qualify for transfer credit that can be applied toward your program requirements at Kaplan University. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs for graduate programs. Refer to the University Catalog for our transfer of credit policy.

Students in the Military

Kaplan University is proud to support our military and veterans in their educational pursuits by offering significantly reduced tuition. Undergraduate program tuition is reduced up to 55 percent for active-duty servicemembers and up to 38 percent for veterans. In addition, Kaplan University participates in the Yellow Ribbon program for all of our graduate programs, and both active-duty servicemembers and veterans are eligible for special tuition rates for these programs. A 10 percent tuition reduction is also available to spouses of active-duty servicemembers. For more information, call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor or visit the Kaplan University military site.

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour	$385.00
Total program requirements Graduate Certificate in K-12 Educational Leadership	17
Total cost of tuition	$6,545.00
This program requires a $100 technology fee per term (online students only). A nonrefundable application fee, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, may be required at the time of enrollment. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships.

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This program is not eligible for Title IV federal financial aid.
*Kaplan University makes no representations or warranties as to whether the program meets the specific requirements for any individual state or school system for pay increase purposes or career advancement. Kaplan University encourages its students to independently research the requirements in any state or school system in which they intend to seek a pay increase or a promotion. This certificate will not lead to a teacher certification or an endorsement in any field.
^†Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, Education Administrators, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm. (Accessed April, 2012) National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.
^‡Kaplan University's programs are designed to prepare graduates to pursue employment in their field of study, or in related fields. However, the University does not guarantee that graduates will be placed in any particular job, eligible for job advancement opportunities, or employed at all. Additional training or certification may be required.