Enhance your passion for teaching and learning with 100% online graduate certificates – from the state’s flagship university.

Prepare to step out of your classroom comfort zone. Become a teacher leader within your school and beyond. Earn a graduate certificate through one of three completely-online programs in the following disciplines:

  • School Technology Leadership
  • Instructional Coaching
  • Leadership for Deeper Learning

Teacher leader endorsement and rank change are available in Kentucky (see details below).

For each certificate you wish to complete, you take three online courses (9 hours) from a dynamic community of full-time professors and engaged students. Our online classes are taken by educators around the world, providing a diverse learning experience for all students.

What is school technology leadership?

As a leader in school technology, you will possess the skills necessary to lead your school system in digital learning. You will thrive in one-to-one computing environments and know how to make effective hiring decisions for growing a team of technologically-skilled educators.

What is instructional coaching?

As an instructional coach, you will be equipped to work with educators to improve classroom practices for the betterment of student learning. You will learn how to establish useful and supportive relationships with teachers in one-on-one and small group settings to provide strategies they can use to overcome the daily challenges of teaching. As an instructional coach, you will also coordinate professional development opportunities for educators.

Why deeper learning?

With a focus on deeper learning, you will be able to teach students how to think critically and analyze their environment using complex problem-solving techniques. You will provide them with the tools they need to adapt how they learn in an ever-changing world.

 

Program Outcomes

Diverse learning experiences across the program prepare teachers to serve as a:

  • Curriculum specialist
  • Department chair or team leader
  • Instructional coach
  • Peer mentor
  • Technology specialist
  • Change agent

We are available to help during your application process. Contact Neomia Hagans Flores, director of academic and professional outreach, at neomia.hagans@nulluky.edu.

 

 

 

Academics

  • Graduate Certificate in School Technology Leadership (9 credits)
    • EDL 661 – School Technology Leadership
    • EDL 663 – Leadership for School Program Improvement
    • EDL 665 – School Technology Leadership for Digital Citizenship
  • Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching (9 credits)
    • EDL 638 – Instructional Coaching and Mentoring
    • ELS 604 – Leadership in Communities of Practice
    • One of the following courses:
      • ELS 600 – Leadership in Learning Centered Schools
      • ELS 624 – Leadership Practicum
      • EDL 669 – Leadership for Creative Problem Solving
  • Graduate Certificate in Leadership for Deeper Learning (9 credits)
    • EDL 662 – Leading for Next Generation Learning
    • EDL 664 – Assessment Leadership
    • ELS 620 – Leading Action Research and Inquiry 1

 

Our Program Experience

You will be prepared to be a leader who supports school and student success. Our graduates are teacher leaders who are actively engaged in and supportive of schoolwide improvement initiatives and who model lifelong learning. We value:

Leadership…

Our program prepares teachers to assume formal roles (e.g., department chair, grade-level team leader, technology coordinator) or informal roles (e.g., instructional model, peer mentor) and lead from within and beyond the classroom.

Collaboration…

Because collective leadership by administrators and teachers is essential for successful 21st century schools, our program emphasizes developing interpersonal relationships and interdependence to achieve shared visions and goals.

Community…

Because teacher leaders build organizational capacity through their shared instructional leadership and collegial support for sustainable change efforts, our program is delivered through cohorts that function as communities of practice.

Renewal…

Our program develops necessary knowledge and skills teachers need to foster learning-centered leadership. Teacher leaders learn to help educators diagnose and solve issues through action research.

Authenticity…

All courses integrate individual and group learning, field-based activities and virtual class meetings. They include research and reflection to assure relevance and applicability.

Achievement…

Students evidence their learning through creation and oral defense of their unique electronic portfolios.

 

 

Admissions

You must meet the admission requirements established by the UK Graduate School and by the Department of Educational Leadership Studies.

All Applicants

You must hold a baccalaureate degree, preferably education-based, from a fully accredited institution of higher learning in the USA or from a recognized foreign institution. Requirements include

  • Cumulative 3.0 or higher GPA on 4.0 scale on all previous postsecondary coursework.
  • Official transcripts for all postsecondary coursework.
  • Personal statement about why applying to program.
  • Updated professional resume.
  • Recommendations from three educators, including principal or superintendent if possible.

Experience working as a P12 teacher or as another type of educational practitioner is highly recommended.

International Teachers

If your native language is not English, you must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score.

  • Minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based)
  • Minimum IELTS mean band score of 6.5

Kentucky Teachers

If you are seeking teacher leader endorsement and rank change, you must:

  • Hold valid P12 teacher certification.
  • Demonstrate the attributes of a highly effective teacher as defined by the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) through professional reflection.
  • Receive recommendation from your principal or department chair attesting to your success as a classroom teacher and as a potential teacher leader.
  • Please note that you will need to take one additional course (for a total of 33 hours) to complete requirements for all three graduate certificates. This additional course is not required. It is only necessary if seeking all 3 graduate certificates.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Detailed information about the application process can be found at https://education.uky.edu/edl/admissions/.

Any of these graduate certificates can be taken as standalone programs. We also offer Master’s (M.Ed.) and Education Specialist (Ed.S.) programs in Teacher Leadership that embed the certificates in the coursework leading to these degrees. As a standalone, the certificate is only 3 courses (9 credit hours).

All students in the Graduate Certificate programs or in the combined Masters/EdS program receive a scholarship from the Department of Education Leadership Studies of 29% of current UK Graduate School tuition. Please contact us for more detailed information.

Contact Neomia Hagans Flores, director of academic and professional outreach, at neomia.hagans@nulluky.edu. You can also fill out the form below to receive useful emails about the program, such as application tips and online info sessions.

You will earn a graduate certificate in your chosen area/s: school technology leadership, instructional coaching, and/or deeper learning. Students may also seek a 30 credit hour Masters or EdS which allows them to potentially earn multiple graduate certificates.

Check out our departmental FAQ page for useful information about our programs.

 

Not sure if this is the program for you? Need more information before applying?

After answering a few short questions, we’ll be able to help you find out if you’re qualified to apply and give you more information about the degree program.