Earn your New York State School District Leader certificate through SUNY Oswego. Our program assists school district professionals in advancing their careers to superintendency and other district leadership roles.
Overview
The goal of the New York State School District Leadership program is to acculturate the associates to the incredible challenges and rewards of superintendentships and other school district leadership positions. Graduates are prepared to lead districts and serve children and school communities throughout New York State.
Two Ways to Earn Your SDL
- Enroll in our Superintendent Development Program (SDP). To be admitted to SDP you must:
- Be a sitting school leader with experience and hold New York State School Building Leader (SBL) certification (formerly known as SAS).
- Be recommended by SUNY Oswego for your SDL certification once you successfully complete SDP.
- Have a minimum of 60 graduate hours (Enrollees can earn 9 graduate level college credits by completing SDP).
- Complete the Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in Educational Leadership program.
- CAS is the appropriate path if you need both School Building Leadership and School District Leadership.
- CAS is a 33 credit program that takes approximately 2 years to complete.
Depth & Experience
Our candidates are well prepared and consistently score above the state average on the required New York State School Building Leader assessments and School District assessments.
Outcomes
Graduates are qualified to pursue a New York State Department of Education Certification as a School District Leader, which will allow them to work in a range of administrative and supervisory positions.
- Make District-wide Decisions
- Manage Fiscal and Human Resources
- Address the Management of Legal and Equity Issues
- Facilitate Organizational Change
- Build Strategic Plans
- Lead Partnerships with Community Stakeholders
Career Opportunities
- District Superintendent
- Superintendent
- Deputy Superintendent
- Associate Superintendent
- Assistant Superintendent
- District Curriculum Coordinator
- District Special Services Coordinator
- Directorship (Athletics, Instructional Support, Pupil Services, Special Programs, etc.)
You can earn 9 credit hours by completing the SDP program. If you will not meet the minimum of 60 graduate credits after completing SDP, SUNY Oswego will work with you to develop a personalized learning program involving additional coursework.
Program Resources
Information Sessions
Learn about our graduate programs through our information sessions today!
RELATED PROGRAM
Educational Leadership
Join a network of over 1,000 district-level leaders who have earned their school district and school building leadership certification from SUNY Oswego. Our coursework is based on authentic learning experiences in real schools, working with experienced administrators solving real issues.
AAQEP Accredited
This program has earned national accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement.
The Power of SUNY Tuition
Achieving your long-term career goals shouldn’t come at the expense of your immediate financial security. Oswego offers low tuition compared to many private colleges. Never sacrificing quality for affordability, our graduate students are receiving a nationally accredited program that will translate into effective knowledge and opportunities.
Application Requirements
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better is required for applicants. (Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are welcome to apply, but should explain in the purpose statement what skills and experiences you will bring to the program or any special circumstances that affected your GPA.) If you have questions regarding your GPA, please speak to the department advisor for further information.
Your official transcript must indicate that you have earned your master’s degree from an accredited university.
Individuals will satisfy the Professional NYSED Certification requirement after successfully completing a graduate teaching education program from an accredited institution, and obtaining a master’s or higher degree program in their specialization or related field or in any area as long as the individual has completed 12 hours of study in their specialization. New York State requires this entry-level certificate for classroom teachers with specific areas of interest. Submit a copy of your NYS initial teaching certificate in area of interest during the application process.
In 500 words or less, describe your personal achievements relating to your academic interests, and detail your educational and professional objectives with reasoning for applying to SUNY Oswego. This statement will help the review team better understand and evaluate your application.
Include a professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes your academic history, professional background and any accomplishments of note. This document should provide details that support your admittance to the program.
Indicate two names with valid email addresses. We will send an email request directly to the references on your behalf. These references should be able to speak to your character, work ethic and abilities. (At least one of these recommendations must be from your school district.)
Important: All international transcripts must be verified through a World Education Services (WES) credit evaluation as part of your application.
English Language Proficiency: Submit official TOEFL (79 overall, MBA 83) or IELTS (6.5) scores, unless exempt.
Visa and I-20 Documentation: After acceptance, upload your financial documents and passport copy to receive your Form I-20 for your visa application.
For more details, please visit Application Requirements for International Graduate Students.