Educational Leadership SBL/SDL (MSEd) – Collaborative Leadership Advancing School Success (CLASS) Track
Welcome to the CLASS – Educational Leadership SBL/SDL (MSEd) program home page. Use this page as a guide to the program from acceptance to graduation.
The Collaborative Leadership Advancing School Success (CLASS) program is a clinically-based school leadership program that engages teachers as learners and leaders, readying students to supervise and support the professional development of fellow teachers and the management of systems at the building and district levels.
Upon successful completion of the two-year program students will receive a master’s degree from Hunter College and eligibility for New York State School Building Leader and School District Leader certification.
Academic Plan
SDL-MSED
Total Credits
32
Advisor
- Nell Panero, Program Leader
- Kath Smith (ks286@hunter.cuny.edu), Faculty Advisor and Internship Advisor
- Karen Lew (kle0011@hunter.cuny.edu), Advisor and Assistant Director
- Alissa Herbert, Certification, Graduation and Administrative Advisor
Newly Accepted Students
Getting Started and Orientation
New Student Checklist
Welcome to the School of Education! Visit the Newly Accepted Students page for a checklist to get you started at Hunter College.
New Student Support
If at any point you need support, please reach out to our New Student Liaison at newsoest@hunter.cuny.edu or make an appointment.
Orientations
Welcome to the School of Education! Students will attend two orientations to cover all the information needed to start your program:
- General New Student Orientation
- Program Advising Session
General New Student Orientation
The School of Education hosts monthly virtual new graduate student orientations titled “New Student Orientation – Teacher Education and Leadership”. These 60 minute online sessions will provide you with an overview of Hunter College and the School of Education. Additionally, you will find answers to many of your questions regarding registration, student life and certification. See “Program Related Events” below for details about upcoming sessions.
Program Advising Session
The CLASS – Educational Leadership SBL/SDL (MSEd) program hosts program advising sessions that cover the course of study, progress standards and fieldwork requirements. See “Program Related Events” below for details about upcoming sessions.
Program Sequence
The program advisor will notify students of the cohort’s particular course of study before registering for classes. Course sequence is subject to change. To view course descriptions, progress standards and exit requirements visit the catalog.
Program Sequence
Semester 1
- ADSUP 704 Leadership to Enhance Human Resources (4 credits)
- ADSUP 731 Using Data, Technology and Assessment to Plan and Design Curriculum and Instruction (4 credits)
Semester 2
- ADSUP 715 Supervision for the Improvement of Instruction (4 credits)
- ADSUP 717 Seminar in Evaluating and Applying Educational Research (4 credits)
Semester 3
- ADSUP 721 Legal Issues, Finance, Facilities and Operations (4 credits)
- ADSUP 741 School District Leadership: Problems and Issues (4 credits)
Semester 4
- ADSUP 716 Leadership Strategies for School Reform (4 credits)
- ADSUP 751 District and School-Based Experience Seminar in Administration and Supervision (4 credits)
Clinical Experiences
Fieldwork and internship requirements for the Educational Leadership SBL/SDL (MSEd) – Collaborative Leadership Advancing School Success (CLASS) track are embedded in your current school. These experiences are designed to help you learn and practice effective leadership and school improvement skills at your school over the two-year program. You are not required to complete an internship outside of your current school.
You will also participate in intervisitations at other participating schools. This will allow principals and teachers at participating schools to give feedback on instructional and operational decision-making systems. The CLASS program will facilitate the arrangement of intervisitations.
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines. Visit the Graduation and Commencement page for complete information.
Certification and Licensure
The Educational Leadership SBL/SDL (MSEd) – Collaborative Leadership Advancing School Success (CLASS) track leads to eligibility for New York State School Building Leader and School District Leader certification.
Students who are completing or have completed the program will apply for their certification through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services. Students apply for either initial or professional certification.
Initial Certification: Requirements and Exams
The School of Education reserves the right not to recommend for certification any student who has committed a serious breach of professional ethics or behavior.
The Initial Certificate is the entry-level teaching certificate and is valid for five years. Students who graduate from a Hunter master’s degree certification program without prior certification will be recommended for initial certification.
Certification candidates must wait to apply for certification until receiving an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered. This will occur six to eight weeks after the Hunter College conferral dates of June 1 for spring grads, September 1 for summer grads and January 1 for fall grads.
Candidates seeking initial certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
1. Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- Educating All Students (EAS)
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 1 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 2 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- School District Leader – Part 1
- School District Leader – Part 2
Students who have completed Educating All Students (EAS) for a prior certification, do not need to take it again.
Register for an exam at the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website.
Need help preparing? The Hunter College School of Education Center for Career, Professional & Partnership Development (CPPD) conducts test preparation workshops regularly. Learn about upcoming Test Preparation Workshops.
For information regarding exam safety nets consult the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
2. Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
All applications for NY State certification require that students take and complete the workshop listed below. Students who have completed these workshops for a prior certification, do not need to take them again.
Upon completion of workshop, students must submit copies of exam scores and workshop certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Programs at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop
Students may take the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) workshop through Hunter College’s Continuing Education department or with another approved provider through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website. Once you complete the DASA workshop, submit copies of DASA workshop certification to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs so that their CUNYfirst account can be updated via the Workshop or Exam Completion Form.
3. Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
All students in programs leading to New York State certification need to have their fingerprints cleared by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Visit the Fingerprinting for Hunter College School of Education Students to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
Initial Certification: Application Directions and Program Code
When to Apply
Certification candidates must wait to apply for certification until receiving an email from the School of Education indicating their recommendation has been entered. This will occur six to eight weeks after the Hunter College conferral dates of June 1 for spring grads, September 1 for summer grads and January 1 for fall grads. Students apply for certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account.
How to Apply for Initial Certification
The following is a step-by-step guide to apply for initial certification through the New York State Department of Education’s TEACH Account.
1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
Students must create/log in to their New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account. From your Teach Online Services Home page, select Apply for Certificate which is found under “Online Application”. This will start a new application.
2. Verify/Update Profile
The Verify/Update Profile section will ask for education and employment history. For educational history, provide information from bachelor’s degree to present. For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public and private schools.
Hunter College is an approved New York Teacher Certification Program. When prompted provide the following information:
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 28954 – EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Major: Education
- Enter all full-time, paid teaching experience (in both public and private schools).
3. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section.
School Building Leader
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Administration and Supervision
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title:School Building Leader
- Select your Certificate Type: Initial
On the next page, enter the Program Code 28954.
4. Sign Affidavit
5. Confirm and Sign Application
6. Make Payment
We recommend paying by credit card for ease of tracking.
7. Review Application Transaction Summary
This will help you keep track of what you need to do in order to obtain your certificate.
Professional Certification: Requirements and Exams
The School of Education reserves the right not to recommend for certification any student who has committed a serious breach of professional ethics or behavior.
The Professional Certificate is an advanced certificate. Individuals must have three years of full-time, valid experience in classroom teaching or pupil personnel service. For the SBL Professional certificate, individuals must have three years full-time experience in an educational leadership position, which must include at least one year as a school building leader.
Candidates seeking professional certification must fulfill the following requirements before applying:
1. Pass all required New York State Teacher Certification Exams
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 1 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- Revised (Sept. 2013) School Building Leader Assessment (SBL) – Part 2 up until August 31, 2024 or Revised (May 2019) School Building leader Assessment (SBL)
- School District Leader – Part 1
- School District Leader – Part 2
Candidates with prior certification do not have to retake these exams if already taken.
Register for an exam at the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations website.
Need help preparing? The Hunter College School of Education Center for Career, Professional & Partnership Development (CPPD) conducts test preparation workshops regularly. Learn about upcoming Test Preparation Workshops.
For information regarding exam safety nets consult the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
2. Complete NY State Certification required workshops and submit to the Office of Academic and Students Affairs (OASA)
All applications for NY State certification require that students take and complete the workshop listed below. Students who have completed these workshops for a prior certification, do not need to take them again.
Upon completion of the workshop, students must submit copies of exam scores and workshop certification(s) to the Office of Partnership Programs at soe.opp@hunter.cuny.edu.
Submit Workshop Completion Form
School Violence Intervention and Prevention
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Child Abuse Identification and Reporting
This workshop is included in coursework for your program.
Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Workshop
Students may take this workshop through Hunter College’s Continuing Education department or with another approved provider through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) website.
3. Clear fingerprints with the New York State Education Department (NYSED)
All students in programs leading to New York State certification need to have their fingerprints cleared by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).
Visit the Fingerprinting for Hunter College School of Education Students to learn how to obtain fingerprint clearance.
4. Submit proof of 60 credits of graduate level coursework.
NYSED requires all candidates for the SDL to have 60 credits of graduate level coursework. You must request and submit transcripts from your graduate institution(s) to NYSED in order to have this requirement met.
Professional Certification: Application Directions and Program Code
When to Apply
Students must fulfill all exam, workshop, and security clearance requirements before applying for professional certification. Once teachers have completed three years of full-time, paid teaching experience including one year of mentored teaching, they can apply for professional certification. Students apply for certification through the New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account.
How to Apply for Professional Certification
The following is a step-by-step guide to apply for professional certification through the New York State Department of Education’s TEACH Account.
1. Create/Log in to your TEACH Account
Students must create/log in to their New York State Education Department (NYSED) TEACH Account. From your Teach Online Services Home page, select Apply for Certificate which is found under “Online Application”. This will start a new application.
2. Verify/Update Profile
The Verify/Update Profile section will ask for education and employment history. For educational history, provide information from bachelor’s degree to present. For employment history enter all full-time, paid teaching experiences in both public and private schools.
Hunter College is an approved New York Teacher Certification Program. When prompted provide the following information:
- Award Title: Master of Science in Education
- Program Code: 28954 – EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Major: Education
- Enter all full-time, paid teaching experience (in both public and private schools).
3. Select Certificate(s)
Enter the following information for the certificates section.
School Building Leader
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Administration and Supervision
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title:School Building Leader
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
School District Leader
- Select your Area of Interest: Administration and Pupil Personnel Services
- Select your Subject Area: School Administration and Supervision
- Select the Grade Level: Pre K-12 All Grades
- Select the Title: School District Leader
- Select your Certificate Type: Professional
On the next page, enter the Program Code 28954.
4. Sign Affidavit
5. Confirm and Sign Application
6. Make Payment
We recommend paying by credit card for ease of tracking.
7. Review Application Transaction Summary
This section helps students keep track of what they need to do in order to obtain their certificate.
Submitting Workshop Completion
Upon completion of required workshops, students must submit their workshop certification(s) to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs so that their CUNYfirst account can be updated.
Checking Certificate Status in TEACH Account
There are two certificate statuses in the TEACH account: “not ready to review” and “ready to review.” Prior to graduation a student’s application is marked “not ready to review.” Once a student has met all the requirements, has institutional recommendation, and their graduation has posted, the status will change to “ready to review.” The New York State Department of Education will then review the application.
Out of State Certification or Licensure
Students applying for certification or licensure in states other than New York must complete the Out of State Certification and Licensure Form.
Hunter International Students (F1 Visa Holder) Certification or Licensure
Registering for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE)
During the registration process enter all 9s when prompted for your Social Security Number (SSN). Once you do receive a Social Security Number, you will need to fax a copy of your Social Security Number card and Passport to the New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) with a cover letter including your assigned New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) ID number to request they change your temporary Social Security Number replacement with your assigned Social Security Number.
The fax number for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) is 413-256-7088. Follow up a few days later to ensure they have received your fax. The phone number for New York State Teacher Certification Exams (NYSTCE) is 413-256-2882.
Applying for NYSED TEACH Account without a Social Security Number
You do not need to wait for a Social Security Number (SSN) to create an account on the NYSED TEACH system. If you do not have a valid Social Security Number, you will need to email soeoasa@hunter.cuny.edu to request a TEACH Access Number first. The access number is only for use with TEACH and meeting requirements for New York State teacher certification. If you do get a social security number, you must notify NYSED.
If you apply for OPT the process will generate a Social Security Number which you will use to create your TEACH account and apply for New York State Department of Education teaching certification. You should apply for OPT as soon as you can, but you cannot apply earlier than 90 days before your program completion date.
For general instructions on setting up your NYSED TEACH account, please refer to the Certification and Licensure section on this program page.
New York City Department of Education Employment with OPT once your NYS Certificate has issued
International students cannot apply for employment with New York City Public Schools until they have a Social Security Number (SSN). International students may qualify for employment in New York City public schools once they hold New York State certification and hold an OPT visa. You will be ineligible to apply to work for the New York City Department of Education unless you hold OPT authorization, have a Social Security Number and your New York State certification has issued. Candidates fitting the above criteria may apply online to the New York City Department of Education. Once the application is received and reviewed, further instructions will follow. This policy is subject to change at any time.
Expiring Certificates
Students currently certified in initial or transitional B certificate who will not graduate in time to meet the master’s requirement for their expiring certificate, may be eligible for an extension through the New York State Education Department TEACH Online Services. Create/log in to your TEACH account and select “Apply for a Time Extension.”