Educational Leadership Program 

Foundations and Social Advocacy Department
Janet Duncan, chair
Kevin Mack, coordinator
Cornish Hall, Room 1213
607-753-2444
Fax: 607-758-5007

Overview

Help your school district develop and maintain sound fiscal strategies as you advance your career in educational leadership if you hold a master's degree. Gain the knowledge and skills to effectively develop schools and other learning communities. Combine theory and practice when you choose the school district business leader C.A.S. program at SUNY Cortland.

Program Highlights

With the guidance of our expert educational leadership faculty, you'll examine critical topics such as finance, curriculum, organization and facilities maintenance and management. You'll also investigate key legal issues and the elements and value of strategic supervision, and you'll benefit from field studies that take you inside local schools for firsthand observation of district operations and activities. This program will prepare you for New York state's School District Business Leader Assessment.

Culminating Experience

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

Career Potential

The school district business leader certificate issued by New York state enables holders without teaching credentials to qualify for positions having professional responsibilities for the business operation of a school district.

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. Recommendations if you are in the teaching field: 
   1. from an administrator in your district's central office
   2. from your immediate supervisor
   3. from another educational supervisor/administrator of your choice
4. Recommendations if you are from a non-teaching, non-traditional background:
   1. from your current organization's chief executive officer
   2. from your immediate supervisor
   3. from an 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.