Educational Leadership
While there are many valid reasons, six good reasons to "GO West" to the UWG Educational Leadership Program include:
- Full-time faculty who are both scholars and practitioners,
- Relevant and authentic learning experiences,
- High expectations with strong support and faculty engagement for candidate-learning,
- High-quality candidates create a rich exchange of learning and collaboration amongst candidates,
- Convenience: Program can be completed in three or four semesters and only a few face-to-face sessions, and
- Cost-effective.
The University of West Georgia has three programs for K-12 educational leadership. The newest program is called a Tier One Certification, which is a master's degree level certification recently made available by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. This program leads to a new certification that's clear and renewable. This program begins in summer of 2016 and is completely online. The Tier One level is considered entry-level that prepares candidates for P-12 school level positions below the principal and for district level positions that do not supervise principals. While we are approved to offer a master's degree, our intention is to offer only the certificate option. Candidates must complete a master's degree in another content area and then add the Tier 1 Leadership Certification. Tier 1 is an initial certification program designed for classroom teachers and candidates in leadership roles.
The second leadership program at West Georgia is a Performance-Based Leadership Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S). The third leadership program is the PL Certificate Only option. Both programs lead to Georgia leadership certification. The current Performance-Based Leadership programs will be offered until spring of 2017. This program is considered advanced and is reserved for candidates in a leadership position. The Georgia Professional Standards Commission has developed a rule and process for a new Tier 2 Certification that will begin in the summer of 2017 and it will replace the current Performance-Based Programs. Candidates admitted to the current program who begin the program by spring of 2017 will be allowed reasonable time to finish their degrees and certification under the old program and rule. Admission beginning in summer of 2017 will be for the new Tier 2 Certificate.
In summary, UWG currently offers three leadership programs: Tier 1 Certification Only, PL Certification Only, Educational Specialist with PL Certification.
Beginning Summer 2017, Tier 1 Certification Only will continue; however, Tier 2 will replace the current PL Certification programs.