All graduate Educational Leadership programs are aligned with New York State certification requirements for school and district leadership, as well as the program standards of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC).

Educational Leadership Program Statement

The educational leadership programs in the College of Education are founded on a commitment to developing practitioners who, in the Vincentian tradition, foster human learning, development, spiritual well being, and emotional stability in their respective institutions. Graduates of these programs are expected to demonstrate the qualities of outstanding reflective practitioners and the dispositions of caring, respect for self and others, commitment to equity and social justice, open mindedness, and fairness. Additionally, we expect candidates within these programs to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions recognized by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC). The ELCC standards were prepared by members representing the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). and National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).

Candidates completing the Educational Leadership Program will evidence their knowledge, skills and dispositions as indicated in the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) Standards:

• Facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a school or district vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
• Advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
• Ensuring management of the organization, operations and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
• Collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
• Acting with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
• Understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

The purpose of Educational Leadership is to prepare leaders who exemplify the New York State Nine Essential Characteristics of Effective Leaders:

• Leaders know and understand what it means and what it takes to be a leader.
• Leaders have a vision for schools that they constantly share and promote.
• Leaders communicate clearly and effectively.
• Leaders collaborate and cooperate with others.
• Leaders persevere and take the “long view.”
• Leaders support, develop and nurture staff.
• Leaders hold themselves and others responsible and accountable.
• Leaders never stop learning and honing their skills.
• Leaders have the courage to take informed risks.