Instructional Leadership

Post-Master's Certificate

Leaders are needed to assist school districts and state educational boards with improvement of instructional capacities in our schools. This post-master’s certificate will provide you with a strong background in the supervision of instruction and the ability to assess and interpret data. You will also focus on instructional improvements and reform to enhance student achievement.

Basis of Admission A completed master's-level or higher degree from an accredited institution or university. Scope Six Courses (18 credit hours) must be completed from the coursework outlined within the corresponding Post-Master's Certificate. At the end of each Post-Master's Certificate (except where noted), students will complete a final written research project, demonstrating the ability to conduct an investigation on a workplace problem, identify an area for intervention, critique, justify, and recommend a plan of preventative action. Course Length All courses are 8 weeks in length. Northcentral University allows 2 years to complete all Post-Master's Certificates.
Specialization Courses - 18 credit hours

Course Code

Name

Course Description

IL7000-8

The Culture of Learning

Skillful instructional leaders occupy many jobs within educational organizations. These jobs include principals, district administrators, teacher leaders, staff support, community organizers, and parents and students who accept leadership responsibilities. Anyone responsible for creating a culture of learning engages in instructional leadership tasks. Effective instructional leaders must be able to articulate essential links between instructional tasks, student learning, and organizational goals. In this course, doctoral students will explore myriad ways to engage these instructional domains. Through course activities, students will engage topics including technology integration, philosophically sound curriculum decision-making, visionary leadership traits, and curriculum management.

IL7001-8

Leader as Advocate and Decision Maker

Instructional leaders are at the pinnacle of decision-making in any organization. Typically, decisions filter down through the ranks until outcomes reach and impact stakeholders. Decision-making requires careful consideration of the overlapping spheres of influence at work in educational organizations. It is essential that instructional leaders have a deep understanding of promoting vision and mission for the organization to meet its goals. One of the most important facets of this is when the leader acts as an educational advocate. Advocates promote positive leadership and learning and focus on effective core values, beliefs, and purpose of the educational endeavor. In this course, doctoral students will engage the complex decision-making concepts and processes while reflecting on staff development and instructional supervision.

IL7002-8

Leader as Community Advocate

Instructional leaders must forge relationships with stakeholders in the community to build effective learning organizations. This is an era of heightened accountability and leaders need to be as transparent as possible with operational aspects of the school to allow community members to understand the intricacies of managing education organizations. In this course, doctoral students will develop the skills to seamlessly engage stakeholders in partnerships to enhance educational operations at all levels. The student will develop knowledge of professional learning communities and ways to stimulate community leadership.

ED7035-8

Curriculum Supervision

This course is designed to expose doctoral students to theories of curriculum and instructional supervision and the design of instructional systems. Emphasis will be on translating theory into practice, particularly for curriculum supervision in public or private schools and/or in industry training. This course provides an overview of theories, principles, practices, and issues in curriculum supervision. It explores the pedagogical and curricular requirements of schools and integrates theory and practice. This course focuses on the design, implementation and evaluation of curricula. Doctoral students will develop the skills and knowledge required to design and manage curricula resources and delivery to ensure congruence among the written, taught, and tested curricula. The course also explores issues of equitable instructional programs, materials, and products that support student achievement and institutional goals.

ED7030-8

Development of Organizational Leadership

In this course, doctoral students will explore classic and contemporary approaches to organizational development. students will define authentic leadership and effectiveness, and will explore what it means to work mindfully while applying principles of authenticity, integrity, and purposefulness. Doctoral students will explore preferred communication styles, cultivate relationships, develop strategies, and evaluate optimal strategies for organizational growth. students will be introduced to the doctrines of organizational development, theory, and techniques. Attention will be given to these concepts within todays fast paced working and educational environments.

ED7036-8

Innovation for Change

Doctoral students will employ creative skills, manage innovation, and hone techniques to promote imaginative and flexible change strategies. Education is constantly reinventing itself in order to meet the demands of society. Instructional leaders must be ready to interpret and shape the school organization based on the ideals put forth at the time, by a changing world. School leadership requires and ability to conceptualize and realize a vision for the organization. Change involves knowledge, understanding, and commitment from administrators and cannot be construed as an event but rather a process. Further, change involves working with a diverse group of people and striving to motivate others to muscle through change as it is needed. Leaders must work with a community and use change to implement desirable changes. School leaders are constantly making decisions that impact the school organization. This course will prepare doctoral students to negotiate the world of education innovation and change.

At Northcentral University, we pride ourselves in being completely transparent when it comes to tuition and fees. We have adopted an all-inclusive tuition model that gives you the cost of your Post-Master's Certificate in Education tuition and fees in one flat program rate*. The only additional cost above your post-master's certificate program rate is books. Learn more about the NCU’s post-master's certificate costs below:

  • Per credit cost: $857
  • Per 3 credit course cost: $2,570
  • Program cost: $15,420 
  • Average book cost per course: $150
  • Application Fee: $0
  • Technology Fee: $0
  • Registration Fee: $0

Click here to learn more about payment and financing options.

*Program rates are subject to change and generally increase at the start of each calendar year.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about our students, it’s that they are motivated and ambitious—but they are also busy! At Northcentral University, we’ve designed our education experience to work with you, not against you, so you can achieve your academic goals without sacrificing the quality, flexibility and support you need to be successful.

To learn more, request information or call 1-866-776-0331 or start a live chat to speak with an enrollment advisor today. We offer new courses every Monday of the year so you can get started when it’s best for you.