School Leadership Post-Masters Certificate

The Graduate Studies Division of the College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies offers a School Leadership Certificate Program for post-master’s students seeking an endorsement as a principal/supervisor. The certificate program builds on the foundation of courses taken in a previous graduate degree, and focuses on leadership for school improvement that will result in higher levels of learning for all students.

Coursework and field experiences are aligned with Tennessee Instructional Leadership Standards and synthesized in the final practicum course. Although the field experience requirement is extensive, it is expected that students will complete the program and the field experience requirement while employed as a teacher. The certificate is in compliance with the 2009 “Tennessee Learning Centered Leadership Policy” and the successful program finisher will meet all requirements for a principal/supervisor endorsement in the state of Tennessee.

Admission to the certificate program is based on the following:

1. Admission to the Graduate School, see Admission Requirements 
2. Admission to the Certificate Program:
   1. Successful completion of a master’s, specialist’s, or doctoral degree in education from a regionally accredited institution.
   2. A teaching certificate and three successful years teaching experience are required by the State for admission to principal licensure programs.
   3. In addition, a portfolio, two letters of recommendation and an interview are required as part of the application process. Please contact the Graduate School or Dr. Vicki Petzko (Vicki-Petzko@utc.edu) for reference forms and a checklist of portfolio requirements (which are the same as for the M.Ed. Principal Licensure Concentration).