Why Educational Leadership?

Education Leadership Students

Le Moyne takes pride in teaching others how to lead our schools. Graduates are principals and district administrators, instructional coaches and teacher leaders. Other graduates return to the classroom to continue to guide the teaching and learning. Our graduates lead the way, and make way for other leaders. Through scholarship, teaching, and service, we are committed to preparing and inspiring leaders who practice participatory democracy and social justice in their classroom and schools. In fact, one of the core courses in the leadership pathway is Educational Leadership for Social Justice.

Our pathways include mentoring and advising from start to finish to frame your pathway plan and guide your studies. You also will choose a mentor to provide additional guidance. Core courses are the foundation of our pathways and include increasing rigor in writing, authentic leadership experiences, and interactions among collaborative groups of colleagues. You will study and solve district challenges, conduct research-based projects, and consider standards, policies, and even ethical dilemmas.

To help you reach your leadership potential, Le Moyne College offers several options:

 • School Building Leadership (SBL)
 • School District Leadership (SDL)
 • School District Business Leadership (SDBL)

From scholarship to internship, our educational leadership pathways offer a variety of choices. Each pathway shares a core set of courses and specific electives that frame a curriculum of inquiry and interactions. Research-based, contemporary content and pedagogy serve as the foundation for building capacity and mastering the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). An administrative internship offers the opportunity to apply theory and practice, to take risks and alternate pathways, while being mentored and guided by college and site supervisors. 

Successful completion of the courses and internship culminates in a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) degree, followed by required New York State assessments to receive certification in SBL, SDL, or SDBL.

School Building Leadership is a class of certification for school administrators that includes building level positions such as principal or assistant principal.This 30-credit program includes 24 credits of required coursework plus a 6-credit internship to earn a CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies).

Learn more about the core courses in the course catalog


is a class of certification for school administrators that includes superintendent of schools, district superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent and any other person having responsibilities involving general district-wide administration. This 36 credit program includes 30 credits of courses selected from the SBL professional program specialty courses, or the master’s program. A total of 60 graduate credits is required for SDL New York State certification.

Learn more about the core courses in the course catalog

Is a class of certification for the position of deputy superintendent for business, associate superintendent for business, assistant superintendent for business, and any other person having professional responsibility for the business operation of the school district. 

In addition to a master’s degree, this 39-credit program, includes 24 credits of required coursework. An additional 21 credits of electives must be selected from the SBL/SDL professional program specialty area courses or master’s.  A minimum total of 60 credits (including up to 21 graduate credits as transfer or Masters degree credit) is required for New York State certification.In addition to a master’s degree, this 39-credit program, includes 24 credits of required coursework.

Learn more about the core courses in the course catalog

The prospective administrator works with one or more site supervisor/mentor(s) to practice the skills, knowledge and attitudes developed through the classroom portion of the leadership preparation pathway. In addition, the intern is exposed to practical aspects of administration, which cannot be taught in a theoretical setting.

The internship represents a cooperative effort between local school districts and the college.

The internship is a field experience with a practicing administrator that must be the equivalent to a minimum of 15 weeks (600 clock hours) full-time active participation in leadership skills worth six college credits. The site supervisor/mentor plays a key role in the practice of skills by providing a model, selecting and structuring the experience from which the intern can benefit, and allowing the intern to build competence in a “safe” apprenticeship environment.

One purpose of the internship is to provide the candidate with the opportunity to gain experience in applying theories, procedures and skills learned in the classroom to real situations.  An equally important second purpose, however, is to provide the candidate with an opportunity to place these in the context of the school, and to add the information and develop the skills which are not included in formal college classroom instruction.

Another purpose of the internship is to be a final screening device for certification. In order to be eligible for a school building leader, school district leader or school district business leader certificate, the candidate must receive a passing grade for the internship.

grewen hall
Teresa Renn

Central New York Leadership Development Pathway

CNY LDP is a collaboration among school districts, OCM BOCES, and Le Moyne College, designed to promote teacher leadership development that enhances student success and improves school districts.  This unique initiative is based on the National Teacher Leader Standards and Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL).  It is designed to enhance teachers’ leadership skills and knowledge leading to improved student achievement.




More than Your Average Leadership Program

""The CNY LDP program allowed me the opportunity to put my leadership skills to use within my own district and to network with other future leaders. As a result of the program, I went on to finish my degree and was appointed Alternative Education Supervisor within my home district."" - Dan Stadtmiller, CNY LDP and SBL graduate, Supervisor, Alternative Education, Fulton Schools, Fulton, NY

AAQEP Le Moyne College is a Regular Member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Education Preparation and is fully accredited. Le Moyne College AAQEP Annual Report