What does it cost?

Learn more about the cost of an online graduate certificate, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study. For information on how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and to determine eligibility, visit the FAFSA tips page.

Georgia State is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible programs for all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student’s future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

How long will it take?

3 semesters at 2 courses per semester (6 total courses; 18 total semester hours) • 250 clinical hours

All required classes to earn a certificate can be completed online.

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

  • Fall: July 15
  • Spring: November 15
  • Summer: April 15

Online Educational Leadership, Tier I Certificate

Talk to enrollment coach
404-413-4393
[email protected]

Talk to the program coordinator
Will Rumbaugh, Ed.D.
[email protected]

The Georgia State online Tier I Educational Leadership Certificate program is for those with an education-related master’s degree who are passionate about leading and ready to take the next step towards becoming an entry-level leader in a school or school district such as an assistant principal. The courses introduce students to educational leadership theory and practice. Students participate in 300 hours of varied leadership experiences supported by a school or district mentor in addition to completing advanced coursework. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a program certificate from the Board of Regents and will be eligible to apply to the Professional Standards Commission for a Tier I Educational Leadership add-on certificate.


Our Voices, Our Stories, Our Faculty

Program Highlights

Faculty members have served in pre-kindergarten to 12th grade positions:

  • Classroom teacher
  • Assistant principal
  • Principal
  • Curriculum supervisor
  • Curriculum director
  • Assistant superintendent
  • Area/associate superintendent
  • Georgia Department of Education director

 

Faculty serve in leadership positions of professional organizations throughout the country:

  • UCEA- University Council for Educational Administration
  • COPIS- Council of Professors of Instructional Supervision
  • CASTLE- Center for the Advanced Study of Technology Leadership in Education
  • CEDAR- Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform
  • GAEL- Georgia Association of Educational Leaders
  • GASSP- Georgia Association of Secondary School Principals
  • GELFA- Georgia Educational Leadership Faculty Association
  • CIES- Comparative and International Education Society

Faculty publish research in top journals:

  • Educational Administration Quarterly
  • Journal of Educational Administration
  • Journal of School Leadership
  • Educational Policy
  • Education Policy Analysis Archives
  • NASSP Bulletin
  • Journal of Research on Leadership Education
  • AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice
  • Peabody Journal of Education

 

Faculty research interests include:

  • School technology leadership
  • Inclusive leadership
  • Decision-making
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Network analysis
  • Democratic education
  • Educational policy and politics
  • Equitable education
  • International educational leadership
Program Details

When applying to the Educational Leadership Tier 1 Online Certification, Non-Degree, you will need to submit several documents for review.

  • Online Application
  • Application Fee of $50
  • Goals Statement (upload with application – please address each of the following items in your goal statement)
    • What are your reasons for applying to Georgia State’s Tier 1 leadership program?
    • One major part of the Tier I program is logging 250 hours of clinical leadership experience. This requires you to assume leadership positions in your school and/or district. You will be responsible for working with a mentor to identify and participate in these experiences. Describe how you will be able to complete those hours. Resume (upload with application)
  • Resume (upload with application)
  • Identify a mentor who currently holds leadership certification in Georgia and complete the following agreement form. Once the agreement form has been completed by both parties, upload the signed agreement to your application under the MISC documents section.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation one must be a school leader who supervises or evaluates you)
  • A minimum of three years’ experience in a Pre-kindergarten through 12th school setting (upload teaching certificate to application); currently working in a Pre-kindergarten through 12th educational setting
  • Official Transcript(s): minimum 3.25 graduate GPA required for admission (must hold a master’s, specialist or doctoral level degree)
    • Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended either electronically to [email protected] or by mailing directly to Georgia State University | Office of Graduate Admissions | P.O. Box 4018 Atlanta, GA 30302
  • Successful completion of the Georgia Ethics Assessment for Educational Leadership — For more information and how to register, visit Georgia Ethics Assessment for Educational Leadership.
  • 18 semester hours (6 courses) to prepare aspiring leaders for issues, research, and best practices related to leading in a school or school district
  • 250 hours of clinical leadership experiences in schools and districts

Affording Your Online Graduate Certificate
Georgia State is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible programs for all prospective students because we value the investment each student makes in their education. We understand that the path to a student’s future shouldn’t be blocked due to finances, and we pride ourselves on offering financial assistance and scholarships that can support students through their education.

Learn more about the cost of an online graduate certificate, or use Georgia State’s Cost Calculator to get an idea of the investment required for your path of study.

Contact Student Financial Services
We are here to help you understand the cost of your program, the payment schedule and financing opportunities.

Use the Student Financial Services Guided Paths to walk you through the Financial Aid Process and learn about all our options for financing your education.

Corporate Assistance
Consult your employer about the availability of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance programs.

Military Assistance
Active duty military, veterans and military families should visit Veterans Educational Benefits to take full advantage of available financial assistance and educational benefits. Download our guide to How to Start Your VA Benefits.

University System of Georgia Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The purpose of TAP is to foster the professional growth and development of eligible employees. For more information, see TAP Tuition Assistance.

  • Tier I is the entry-level Educational Leadership certification. Educators certified in this field may work in school-level leadership positions below the principal and district-level leadership positions that do not supervise principals.
  • Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a university certificate from the Board of Regents, and they will be eligible to apply for Georgia’s Tier I Educational Leadership certification from the Georgia Standards Commission.
  • Students who complete the program will meet the competencies required in Georgia’s Leader Keys Effectiveness System.
  • They will also meet the competencies required in the National Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.

There are two options for the Tier I Add-On Certificate Program:

  1. Totally online
  2. Blended (Five class meetings each semester face to face at Atlanta campus; the remainder of the weeks are online, asynchronous)

Description

Careers

  • Georgia State's Tier 1 Program is PSC-approved, meeting Georgia’s PSC Tier 1 Certification requirements.
  • School level — Assistant principal, assistant administrator, instructional coach.
  • District level — Instructional coordinator/supervisor, curriculum coordinator/supervisor, program coordinator/supervisor.
  • Assistant principal — $85,173 median annual salary in Georgia (salary.com).

Contacts

Online Programs

LaToya & Moisés
Enrollment Coach
404-413-4393
[email protected]

VISIT GEORGIA STATE ONLINE

Admissions and Curriculum Inquiries

Program Coordinator
Will Rumbaugh, Ed.D.
Email: [email protected]

Unit Coordinator
Nick Sauers, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]

Department of Educational Policy Studies
College of Education & Human Development
30 Pryor St. SW
Suite 450
Atlanta, GA 30303

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-8030

College of Education Logo140 Decatur Street SE
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared here provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For official details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.