Educational Leadership Department
Kevin Mack, chair
Cornish Hall, Room 1213
(607) 753-2444
Fax: (607) 758-5007

Overview

Expand your capacity to envision district-wide impact and improvement in education as you learn to integrate theory and practice to effectively develop schools and other learning communities. If you hold a master’s degree and permanent or professional teaching certification in New York, you can advance your career in educational leadership by choosing the school district leader C.A.S. program at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

Under the direction of our expert educational leadership faculty, you’ll investigate critical topics in finance, special education, curriculum and organization. You’ll also explore important legal issues, the elements and value of strategic supervision and key qualities for guiding a school district. This program will prepare you for New York state’s School District Leader Assessment.

Culminating Experience

In addition to completing an internship in educational leadership, you’ll participate in a culminating seminar that merges your classroom and practical experiences.

Career Potential

With your successful completion of the school district leader C.A.S. program, you’re well prepared for the responsibilities of positions such as subject and content area supervisor, director of athletics and physical education, director of special education, curriculum coordinator, superintendent or central office administrator.

To further enhance your marketability in the work force, we strongly suggest you apply, if qualified, for the dual school building leader/school district leader degree.

Graduate Admissions

Evaluation Policy

At the State University of New York College at Cortland, we seek a diverse and academically strong student body. Our admission policy and practice will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or marital status.

Required Materials

1. Completed online Graduate School Application – Apply Now
2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher learning attended to be forwarded directly to SUNY Cortland Graduate Admissions Office, indicating the master's degree already conferred
3. Proof of permanent or professional New York state teaching certification
4. Recommendations: 
   1. from an administrator in your district’s central office
   2. from your immediate supervisor
   3. from another educational supervisor/administrator of your choice
5. Essay: A written essay (one-to-two pages only, word processed, double-spaced with 12-point type) that addresses the following question: What is your vision of the school leader in American public schools of the 21st century?
   1. This essay is due with all other application materials and becomes part of the application file; this paper should not be handed in at a separate time
   2. This paper should be well written in the form and quality that a future school leader would proudly provide a superintendent and/or board of education for review.

Admissions Criteria

Preference will be given to candidates with a graduate grade point average of 3.0 and above and a satisfactory rating of the supporting documents as determined by the department.

Deadlines

Fall semester applications: July 1
Spring semester applications: Dec. 1
Summer semester applications: April 1

Applications submitted after the deadline may be considered on a space availability basis.
Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office at (607) 753-4800 to check availability.