School District Leader (SDL) Advanced Certificate

The School District Leader (SDL) Advanced Certificate program serves as an additional component of the Ed.D. program. The SDL Advanced Certificate program is for qualified individuals interested in leadership opportunities such as superintendent, associate superintendent, or other district-level administrative positions.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the materials and credentials outlined in the general admission requirements and Ed.D. admission requirements, individuals applying for admission to the SDL program must meet and provide verification of the following prerequisites:

• Possession of a permanent or professional certificate in classroom teaching or pupil personnel services, or demonstrate the potential for instructional leadership based on prior experiences.
• Three or more years of teaching, pupil personnel services, and/or school leadership experience.
• Completion of the Child Abuse Identification and School Violence Prevention and Intervention workshops (if applicable).
• Completion of the Dignity for All Students (DASA) training. The training can be completed during the program and must be completed prior to graduation.

In accordance with New York State Education Department requirements, candidates in the SDL program will be required to take and pass the New York State SDL Licensure Exam and successfully complete a minimum of 60 credits of graduate study, which includes 30 transfer credits from an approved master's degree program and 30 hours of additional coursework provided by this program.

Program Courses

The SDL Advanced Certificate component is integrated within 13 existing courses in the Ed.D. program, and one 3-credit, district-level internship (DEXL 723). The courses were specifically chosen to provide a sequence that addresses the district-level knowledge, skills, and experiences that will prepare those holding building-level certification to apply their knowledge and skills to the district level.