Graduate Certificate in Teacher Leadership
Program Objectives
The Educational Leadership program at Montana State University is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) as well as by the Montana Board of Public Education. The focus of this certificate is to provide coursework and professional development to K-12 teachers in the areas of enhancing and evaluating teaching and learning, instructional and institutional leadership in schools, and resources for enhancing equity in schools.
The Teacher Leadership Certificate is a 15-credit certificate designed to enhance instructional capacity and leadership contributions to school communities. Teachers in many school districts are often asked to take leadership roles including dean of students, instructional coach, and department chair. Often, teachers receive no specialized training to help them in their new teacher leadership roles. The Teacher Leadership Certificate includes coursework and experiences that address general school law, special education law and policy, school finance, teacher mentoring and instructional coaching, data analysis, diversity and equity considerations, and school culture and school improvement.
This certificate can be completed in 2-4 semesters. It is designed as a “stackable credential” so that students may apply the certificate courses to the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and complete their principal licensure with an additional 2-3 semesters of coursework and field experience. A student must apply to the full M.Ed. in Educational Leadership separate from the Teacher Leadership Certificate program.
This program is offered more than 80% online. Courses will be delivered using distance educational methods during the school year with a few face-to-face instructional sessions. During summer semester, courses typically begin around mid-May in an online format and transition to a face-to-face component on campus for one to two weeks, usually during the last two weeks of June.
Program Flow
The ideal time to begin the Teacher Leadership Certificate program is Spring or Summer Semester. Developing a learning community is a critical aspect of principal preparation and teacher leadership. To enhance the development of a learning community among the students and to facilitate learning by offering an integrated curriculum, students will be placed into a cohort based on year of acceptance into the program and will matriculate together.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Access formal and informal opportunities in leadership (such as coach and mentor) to support colleagues’ individual and collective reflection and professional growth.
- Apply the principles of capacity building to enhance school culture and climate.
- Collaborate with colleagues to identify and use research to advocate for teaching and learning processes that meet the needs of all students.
- Promote instructional strategies that address issues of diversity and equity in the classroom and ensure that individual student learning needs remain the central focus of instruction.
- Model the use of student and system-wide data to increase academic achievement, improve teaching and learning and support the well-being of all students.
- Promote the use of assessment and data findings to facilitate changes in organizational structures to improve student learning.
- Leverage principles in school law and educational policy to influence educational decision-making especially as it pertains to issues of equity and opportunity.
- Evaluate academic and non-academic programs to determine their effectiveness in achieving the goals and mission of the school district.
- Participate in the creation of processes and activities that promote the collective efficacy of the school community.
- Strive to create an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are welcomed in addressing
Program of Study
| Law Core: 3-6 credit hours - Choose 1 or 2 courses | ||
| EDLD 532 | School Law | 3 |
| EDLD 566 | Administration and Supervision of Special Education Programs | 3 |
| Leadership Core: 3 credit hours - Choose 1 course | ||
| EDLD 507 | Foundations of Educational Leadership | 3 |
| EDLD 565 | K-12 Instructional Leadership | 3 |
| Evaluating Teaching & Learning Core: 3 credit hours - Choose 1 course | ||
| EDLD 508 | Supervision of Instruction | 3 |
| Resource and Equity Core: 3 - 6 credit hours - Choose 1 or 2 courses | ||
| EDLD 515 | Planned Change | 3 |
| EDLD 520 | Schools & Diverse Communities | 3 |
| EDLD 555 | School Finance | 3 |
| * Substitute courses may be approved by graduate advisor based on area of specialization | ||
| Total Credits | Total Credits 15 | |
Contact Information
Dr. Jason Cummins, Program Leader and Assistant Professor
Email: jason.cummins1@montana.edu
Dr. Laura Schlottman, Assistant Professosr
Email: laura.schlottman@montana.edu
Application Process for Montana Teacher Leadership Certificate in Educational Leadership
All applicants for the Teacher Leadership Certificate Program must hold a bachelor’s degree and possess or be eligible for a teaching license.
Applicants are required to complete the online application and submit the following documentation via the Graduate School Online Application System
1. Completed Graduate School Application
2. Academic Transcripts: Applicants must provide official transcripts verifying all Bachelor's and Master's degree coursework and degrees earned from the applicant's certifying university. Unofficial transcripts may be uploaded during the application process and used for review. Official electronic transcripts may be emailed directly from the Institution to gradschool@montana.edu or edgrad@montana.edu Official transcripts may also be mailed directly to the MSU Graduate School, 104 Montana Hall, PO Box 172580, Bozeman, MT 59717. If you have attended MSU, please indicate and list the dates of attendance. Transcripts from courses or a degree awarded through MSU do not need to be provided. NOTE: The Graduate School requires an undergraduate and graduate GPA of at least 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale). Transcripts will be evaluated for rigor and academic fit.
3. Personal essay: The essay should be one page in length, typed, and double spaced. Provide an essay that helps us understand your professional goals and aspirations which this certificate will help you realize. Also include your educational background - teaching area of expertise, number of years taught, and where you currently work.
4. Resume/Curriculum vitae: Include the names and contact of three (3) references
5. One (1) professional reference: During this online process, you will be asked to provide information about your reference. The electronic process will prompt your reference to submit a signed reference letter. Your letter must meet the following criteria: One letter of reference from your PRESENT direct supervisor or a university faculty member. A supervisor who (a) is currently administratively certified by Montana Office of Public Instruction or other equivalent state agency; AND (b) currently acts as direct supervisor for the candidate. Or a university faculty member who currently acts as an advisor or faculty member of the candidate’s program of study. Any applicant who does not have a letter from a present direct supervisor or university faculty member, must indicate in the self-nomination letter the specific reason(s) why they were unable to secure a letter of recommendation from their present supervisor.
6. For International Applicants ONLY: Please visit the Graduate School International Application Admission website for application submission information.
Application Deadlines
Below is the deadline by which all application materials for the Teacher Leadership Certificate program in Educational Leadership must be submitted via the online application system.
- Summer Semester: April 1
- Spring Semester: November 15
Applications received after the deadline may be reviewed for acceptance on a case-by-case basis.
Admission Process
Complete applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee and the Department Head. Once the department recommendation has been made, the application will be forwarded to The Graduate School for a final decision. Please note that the application review process will begin at the close of the application deadline.
For answers to questions on this or any graduate program at the Department of Education, contact the Graduate Program Assistant at Phone: 406-994-6786 or edgrad@montana.edu. If you are ready to apply, do so through the Graduate School Online Application System.
Contact Information
Dr Jason Cummins, Program Leader
Email: jason.cummins1@montana.edu
Dr. Laura Schlottman, Assistant Professor
Email: laura.schlottman@montana.edu
Graduate Program Assistant
PO Box 172880, Reid Hall 215
Department of Education, Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717-2880
Phone: 406-994-6786 Email: edgrad@montana.edu