Educational Leadership
The University of West Georgia is the state's best in preparing certified leaders.
As the state's largest and most successful program, UWG developed nearly one-third
of Georgia's newly certified leaders in 2020. Some of the many reasons that UWG is
the program of choice include:
- Full-time faculty who are scholars, practitioners, and vested in your success
- Relevant and authentic learning experiences
- High expectations including strong support and faculty engagement for candidate-learning
- High-quality candidates create a rich exchange of learning and collaboration
- Convenience: Tier 2 can be completed in three or four semesters with only a few face-to-face sessions, Tier 1 is 100% online and can be finished in three semesters
- Cost-effective
The University of West Georgia has three programs for K-12 educational leadership, each leading to certification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The Tier 1 Certification 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. All interested candidates currently without leadership certification must start with this program. This certificate is earned completely online. Candidates must complete a master's degree (or higher degree) and then add the Tier 1 Leadership Certification.
Another leadership program is the Tier 2 Educational Specialist Degree (Ed.S). A third leadership program is the Tier 2 Certificate Only option. Both programs
are considered advanced and are reserved for candidates in a leadership position and
who possess initial leadership certification.
Learn more about the Educational Leadership programs
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Tier 1 Certification Only
The Tier 1 Certification 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. All interested candidates currently without leadership certification in Georgia must start with this program. Tier 1 is an initial certification program designed for classroom teachers and candidates in leadership roles who intend to assume leadership positions in the future.
The Tier 1 program leads to a certification that's clear and renewable. This certificate is earned completely online. Candidates must complete a master's degree (or higher degree) and then add the Tier 1 Leadership Certification.
Admission requirements include the following:
- A Master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
- T5 or S5 professional teaching certificate
- 3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work
- Georgia PSC Ethics for Educational Leaders Test #380
Application requirements:
- Completed application for admission
- Non-refundable $40.00 application fee
- One official transcript from each college or university attended
- Georgia PSC Ethics Test #380 certificate
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Tier 2 Certification Only
The current Georgia Leadership Rule reserves the Tier 2 programs (Tier 2 Certification Only and Tier 2 Educational Specialist) as advanced level preparation for leaders in leadership positions as defined by the Ga PSC. The Georgia Leadership Rule requires candidates have the time and opportunity to lead authentic and genuine school improvement initiatives in a residency experience.
The Tier 1 program is available for candidates who are currently serving in a leadership role or as a classroom teacher or are without current leadership certification.
Admission requirements include the following:
- Must have "Tier 1", "L", or "PL" Clearly Renewable Certification
- A Specialist degree or higher from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
- Be employed in a leadership position in a local education agency (LEA) as defined by the Georgia PSC*
- Be recommended by the Superintendent or designee based on local district requirements (System Approval Form)
- 3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work
- Georgia PSC Ethics for Educational Leaders Test #380
- Written partnership with school district
*Candidates must maintain a leadership position throughout this program
Application requirements:
- Completed application for admission
- Non-refundable $40.00 application fee
- One official transcript from each college or university attended
- Completed System Approval Form signed both by your immediate supervisor (must be the principal for applicants working at a school) AND the superintendent or his/her designee
- Copy of valid Georgia leadership certificate
- Georgia PSC Ethics Test #380 certificate
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Tier 2 Education Specialist
The current Georgia Leadership Rule defines the Tier 2 programs (Tier 2 Certification Only and Tier 2 Education Specialist) as advanced level preparation reserved for leaders in leadership positions as defined by the Ga PSC. The Georgia Leadership Rule requires candidates have the time and opportunity to lead authentic and genuine school improvement initiatives in a residency experience.
The Tier 1 program is available for candidates who are currently serving in a leadership role or as a classroom teacher or are without current leadership certification.
Admission requirements include the following:
- Must have "Tier 1", "L", or "PL" Clearly Renewable Certification
- A Master’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution
- Be employed in a leadership position in a local education agency (LEA) as defined by the Georgia PSC*
- Be recommended by the Superintendent or designee based on local district requirements (System Approval Form)
- 3.0 or better cumulative GPA on graduate work
- Georgia PSC Ethics for Educational Leaders Test #380
- Written partnership with school district
*Candidates must maintain a leadership position throughout this program
Application requirements:
- Completed application for admission
- Non-refundable $40.00 application fee
- One official transcript from each college or university attended
- Completed System Approval Form signed both by your immediate supervisor (must be the principal for applicants working at a school) AND the superintendent or his/her designee
- Copy of valid Georgia leadership certificate
- Georgia PSC Ethics Test #380 certificate
-
Partnerships
Partnerships are required only for Tier 2 Certification Programs, not for the Tier One Certification Only Program.
Current EDLE Partnerships with Georgia Schools - 4/14/2021
- Atlanta Public
- Brantley County
- Brighten Academy Charter
- Charter Schools USA
- Cherokee County
- Clayton County
- Coastal Georgia Learning Resources System
- Cobb County
- Columbia County
- Dalton Public
- DeKalb County
- DeKalb PATH Academy Charter School
- Devereux Georgia School
- Dougherty County
- Douglas County
- Eagles Landing Christian Academy
- Edison Learning, Inc.
- Effingham County
- Fannin County
- Fulton County
- Georgia Cyber Academy
- Gilmer County
- Glynn County
- Griffin RESA (Butts County, Fayette County, Henry County, Lamar County, Newton County, Pike County, Spalding County, Upson County)
- Gwinnett County
- Heritage School
- Imagine Georgia Charter Schools
- Jeff Davis County
- Landmark Christian School
- Long County
- Metro RESA (Atlanta Public, Buford City, Clayton County, Cobb County, City Schools of Decatur, DeKalb County, Douglas County, Forsyth County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Marietta City, Rockdale County)
- Middle Georgia RESA (Bibb County, Crawford County, Houston County, Jasper County, Jones County, Monroe County, Peach County, Twiggs County)
- Muscogee County
- National Heritage Academies
- Northeast Georgia RESA (Barrow County, Clarke County, Commerce City, Elbert County, Greene County, Jackson County, Jefferson City, Madison County, Morgan County, Oconee County, Oglethorpe County, Social Circle City, Walton County)
- Northwest Georgia RESA (Bartow County, Bremen City, Calhoun City, Cartersville City, Catoosa County, Chattooga County, Chickamauga City, Dade County, Floyd County, Gordon County, Haralson County, Paulding County, Polk County, Rome City, Trion City, Walker County)
- Pioneer RESA (Banks County, Dawson County, Franklin County, Gainesville City, Habersham County, Hall County, Hart County, Lumpkin County, Mountain Education Charter High School, Rabun County, Stephens County, Towns County, Union County, White County)
- Rockdale County
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta
- Savannah-Chatham County
- Tattnall County
- Terrell County
- Tift County
- Toombs County
- Union County
- Vidalia City
- Washington County
- Wayne County
- West Georgia RESA (Carroll County, Carrollton City, Coweta County, Harris County, Heard County, Meriwether County, Troup County)