Certificate in Charter School Leadership

Contact Information

• Academic Program Director: Manuel N. Ponce, Jr.
• Academic Advisor: Terri Taylor

Introduction/Overview

The fully online Certificate in Charter School Leadership Program is designed to equip candidates with the skills, knowledge, and dispositions needed to serve as educational leaders in California. The Program is rooted in the rationale that twenty-first century leaders require knowledge and skills in the following areas: systemic reform; reflective practice; ethical, moral, and collaborative decision-making; diversity and inclusion; critical inquiry; advocacy for technology and is accessibility to all stakeholders; transformative leadership; and assessment/research.

Program Outcomes

As a result of this program, candidates will:

• Demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to serve as an Educational Leader in California with an emphasis on the specific needs of charter school leaders
• Articulate a vision for instructional leadership that includes a strong emphasis on cultural and linguistic diversity, special education, the successful development of English Language Learners, and the parent-school relationship
• Develop an understanding of the financial and operational aspects of charter school leadership
• Demonstrate their understanding of the fundamental aspects of charter school leadership and operations through the construction of a charter school petition

Admission Requirements

• Online Graduate Application
• Bachelor’s Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution
• Official Transcript from all Colleges/Universities Attended, including all Community/Junior Colleges
  • Applicants who completed an undergraduate/graduate degree outside of the United States of America:
    • Official Transcript Evaluation from an approved evaluation agency that details content of coursework completed, degree equivalency, and cumulative GPA
    • Official Transcript is still needed along with Transcript Evaluation
• Cumulative Undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or 3.05 in the last 60 Undergraduate Units, a 3.0 in at least 9 Graduate Units, or Completion of a Request for Exception to GPA Requirement
• Applicants whose citizenship is from a country where English is not the primary language:
  • TOEFL or IELTS or Duolingo English Test Minimum Scores (unless a High School Diploma or a Bachelor’s Degree was obtained in the United States)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • One letter must be from the applicant’s employer
• Resume
• Charter Schools Program Agreement
• Statement of Intent addressing:
  • Applicant’s understanding of diversity, social justice, and student achievement. Discuss implications of these for leadership and how they intersect with your personal leadership in your current school setting, as well as in future administrative leadership roles.

Certificate Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Semester Hours
Required Coursework
EDLA 6101	Fndtns of Charter Schl Ldrshp: Vision of Learning for Diverse Students, Families, Staff, & Community	3
EDLA 6102	Charter School Instructional Leadership: Student Learning & Professional Growth for Diverse Students	3
EDLA 6103	Specialized Charter School Leadership Preparation with Petition Writing Lab	4
Total Semester Hours		10

Additional Program Requirements

• Petition Writing Lab

• Charter School Petition Culminating Project