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Leadership Academy

School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) Information

The following routes are available to individuals completing equivalent school leadership preparation programs outside New York State (this would include MCLA) who seek certification in New York State as either a School Building Leader (SBL) or a School District Leader (SDL):

For those completing all requirements for building level licensure/certification after February 1, 2009, the following two options are available:

Option #1 - Conditional certification (2-year certificate): Upon completion of the program, candidates may apply for Initial certification in NYS using the on-line services system, TEACH. Each candidate should follow instructions for the "reciprocity" pathway. In addition to applying through TEACH, the following documentation must be submitted:

  • Original transcripts showing a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education,

  • Documentation of completion of child abuse identification and reporting and school violence prevention workshops,

  • Documentation of a classroom teaching certificate and validation of three years of teaching or Pupil Personnel experience,

  • An original transcript from MCLA demonstrating completion of the building level program,

  • A copy of a Massachusetts school principal license.

For this option, candidates must obtain a license from Massachusetts and apply to NYS for an Initial Certificate. The license from Massachusetts requires passing a literacy test (Communication/Literacy MTEL) and completing an application to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. NYS will review the application for Initial certification with a copy of your Massachusetts license and consider it for a Conditional Certificate. If eligible, candidates will be issued the Conditional Certificate and then have a maximum of two years from the effective date of the Conditional Certificate to complete the NYS School Building Leader Exam. When this examination has been passed, the Initial Certificate will be issued and backdated to the effective date of the Conditional Certificate.

Option #2 - Direct application for Initial Certification (5-year certificate): Upon completion of the program, candidates may apply for Initial certification using the on-line services system, TEACH, but must complete the NYS School Building Leader Exam before an Initial certificate may be issued. Each candidate should follow instructions for the reciprocity pathway. In addition to applying through TEACH, the following documentation must be submitted:

  • Original transcripts showing a bachelor's and a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education,

  • Documentation of completion of child abuse identification and reporting and school violence prevention workshops,

  • Documentation of a classroom teaching certificate and validation of three years of teaching or Pupil Personnel experience,

  • An original transcript from MCLA demonstrating completion of the building level program,

Completion of the New York State School Building Leader Exam. [NYS receives verification of examination results directly from the test administrator. A paper copy is not required.]

For this option, candidates must pass the New York State School Building Leader Exam prior to earning certification.

After earning "Initial" certification, candidates must complete three years of school building leadership experience (the first year must be a mentored experience) and then may apply for Professional certification in NYS.

For those completing all requirements for district level licensure/certification after February 1, 2009:

Upon completion of the program, candidates may apply for Professional certification using the on-line services system, TEACH but must complete the NYS School District Leader Exam before a certificate may be issued. Each candidate should follow instructions for the reciprocity pathway. In addition to applying through TEACH, the following documentation must be submitted:

  • Original transcripts showing a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education,

  • Documentation of completion of child abuse identification and reporting and school violence prevention workshops,

  • Documentation of a classroom teaching certificate and validation of three years of teaching or Pupil Personnel experience,

  • An original transcript from MCLA demonstrating completion of the district level program,

  • Completion of a total of 60 graduate semester hours (original transcripts for each college/university must be provided.)

  • Completion of the NYS School District Leader Exam. [NYS receives verification of examination results directly from the test administrator. A paper copy is not required.]

For this certificate, candidates must pass the NYS School District Leader Exam prior to earning certification. Once all requirements are met (including the exam), the candidate will be issued the Professional level School District Leader Certificate.

Questions about Massachusetts licensure for building (Principal/Assistant Principal) and district (Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent) levels should be addressed to the Education Department at MCLA.

Email:M.James@mcla.edu | Phone: (413) 662-5543

Questions about New York State certification as a School Leader should be addressed to the Office of Teaching Initiatives at the New York State Education Department:

Email: tcert@mail.nysed.gov | Phone: (518) 474-3901

Massachusetts licensure for both levels includes the six courses offered in two consecutive Leadership Academies (see list below) plus all pre-practicums that accompany those six courses, one additional course: ADMN 605 Collaborative Partnerships which will continue to be offered on line, face-to-face on weekends, or one week in the summer separate from the Leadership Academy, and internship hours appropriate to the level of license sought.

Approved Courses for Massachusetts Licensure:
ADMN 601 Fundamentals of Ed. Admin., 3 cr
ADMN 602 Fundamentals of Ed. Admin. Preprac,1 cr
ADMN 603 Human Relations & Staff Development, 3 cr
ADMN 604 Human Relations & Staff Development Preprac, 1 cr
ADMN 605 Dev. Collaborative Partnerships , 3 cr
ADMN 607 Leading Schools In Context , 3 cr
ADMN 608 Leading Schools In Context Preprac, 1 cr
ADMN 612 Super. & Eval. of Ed Personnel, 3 cr
ADMN 613 Super. & Eval. of Ed Personnel Preprac, 1 cr
ADMN 614 Evaluating Curriculum Programs, 3 cr
ADMN 615 Evaluating Curriculum Programs Preprac, 1 cr
ADMN 702 Ethics & the Foundation of Schooling, 3 cr
ADMN 703 Ethics & the Foundation of Schooling Preprac, 1 cr
ADMN 710 Internship, 6 cr

Revised and posted 11-07-08