Leadership Programs
Designed for the working professional educator, Hunter’s educational leadership programs are hands-on and practical, preparing New York State-certified teachers and pupil personnel providers for administrative and supervisory roles in urban schools and school districts.
There are two distinct tracks in the Educational Leadership MSEd program: Administration and Supervision (ADSUP) and Collaborative Leadership Advancing School Success (CLASS). When applying, candidates must indicate their desired track in their statement of purpose. Additionally, we offer an Advanced Certificate program in School District Leadership.
Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (ADSUP)
The dual certification School Building Leader (SBL) School District Leader (SDL) program is designed to prepare school and district leaders with the knowledge and skills to create and achieve goals that target all aspects of leadership at the building and district levels resulting in improved outcomes for student achievement. ADSUP focuses on each element of the skills and knowledge stated by the National Educational Leadership Standards (NELP) with discrete courses taught by educators with expertise in the particular content of each course. The knowledge and skills are then applied to the educational setting of each student to apply to the populations and conditions with which they work. In addition, the ADSUP program continuously seeks to update course emphasis to align with current critical topics and issues, including social-emotional learning and culturally responsive environments. Graduates have gone on to succeed in public, charter, independent, and parochial educational settings, as well as district administration offices.
Upon successful completion of the two-year program, graduates will receive a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and recommendation for New York State School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) certifications.
Program Leader: Nell Scharff Panero at hscharff@hunter.cuny.edu
This master’s degree program is designed to prepare New York State-certified teachers and pupil personnel service providers for roles in the administration and supervision of preK-grade 12 educational settings. Students in the ADSUP program take two four-credit courses on one night per week each semester. The 32-credit program is usually completed in four semesters, two years.
Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters.
ADSUP – Westchester EWTC
Offered in partnership with the Edith Winthrop Teacher Center (EWTC), this cohort master’s degree program is designed to prepare New York State-certified teachers and pupil personnel service providers for roles in administration and supervision of PreK-grade 12 educational settings in Westchester. Courses take place on one evening per week either online or in-person in Westchester.
Applications are accepted for Fall semesters.
“Hunter College’s Educational Leadership ADSUP program offers top-notch preparation for anyone planning to serve as a school building or district leader. From developing the skills of an emotionally intelligent leader to providing effective supervision for improving student outcomes for all, the ADSUP program artfully bridges theory with practice and delivers a spot-on curriculum taught by professors with vast experience working in public schools and school districts. On any given school day, I find myself reflecting on what I’ve learned in specific courses and applying that knowledge in the field to real-life scenarios. In short, Hunter’s ADSUP program is the ticket for anyone who wants to be effectively prepared to lead a school or district in the 21st century.”
– Christopher J. Fuchs, Assistant Principal, Shuang Wen School (PS/MS184)“The best leaders lead with compassion, flexibility, and humility. They listen and value what all members bring to the table. This is what I learned during Hunter’s ADSUP Program. It is this belief that carried me through my five years as an Assistant Principal and now brings my new community together as their Principal.”
– Selin Alicanoglu, Principal, Maspeth High School“The Administration and Supervision Program (ADSUP) at Hunter College was essential to my development as a New York City administrator. The program provided me with foundations of observation and feedback that helped shape me into the clinical supervisor I am today. Throughout my tenure as Principal of P.S. 171, I have relied on the program’s lessons about crafting and executing a clear mission and vision, leading with emotional intelligence, and developing schoolwide systems and structures in order to foster excellence for my students, teachers, and families.”
– Dimitres Pantelidis, Principal, Patrick Henry Preparatory, PS 171
Educational Leadership: Collaborative Leadership to Advance School Success (CLASS)
Collaborative Leadership to Advance School Success (CLASS) is a non-traditional, research-based approach to school and district leadership development. It is grounded in a proven model of equity-driven improvement (strategic inquiry) in which participants improve performance for historically underserved students and re-design systems to better serve these and all students. We develop leaders who break the correlation between race, poverty, level of English language proficiency, special education designation, and student achievement. The program is hands-on (participants learn leadership by leading), within an integrated set of courses led by an instructor who is an experienced leader and an expert in our model who comes to know you, your school, and the cohort well. Graduates are prepared to successfully inhabit a wide variety of leadership roles. Classes meet one evening per week either in-person or online.
Upon successful completion of the two-year program, graduates will receive a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and recommendation for New York State School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) certifications.
For more information or if you are interested in speaking with a CLASS graduate or attending a CLASS session, contact Program Leader, Nell Scharff Panero at hscharff@hunter.cuny.edu.
CLASS – Hunter Campus
The Hunter Campus cohort is designed for New York State-certified teachers and pupil personnel providers across all PreK-12 settings. Classes meet at Hunter College in Manhattan one evening per week either in person or online. Participation on a school-based team and/or 2 or more applicants from the same school is a plus.
Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters.
CLASS – English Language Learners (ELL)
Offered in partnership with the Hudson Valley Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN).
There is a desperate need to develop leaders of improvement for ALL students. This special cohort is designed for candidates who seek to collaborate to improve outcomes for historically underserved students and to lead improvements in the systems and structures that have perpetuated inequity. Although there will be a special focus on multilingual learners, we will address all areas needed to earn your building and district-level credentials and to successfully inhabit a wide variety of formal and informal leadership roles. Classes are hybrid and meet one evening per week online or on the Hunter College campus. Participation on a school-based team and/or 2 or more applicants from the same school is a plus.
Applications are accepted for Fall semesters.
CLASS – Long Island
There is a desperate need to develop leaders of improvement for ALL students. This special cohort is designed for those with a passion for creating school cultures in which all students learn. There will be a focus on special populations, and we address all areas needed to earn your building and district level credentials and to successfully inhabit a wide variety of formal and informal leadership roles. Classes are hybrid and meet one evening per week either online or in Long Island. Participation on a school-based team and/or 2 or more applicants from the same school is a plus.
Applications are accepted for Fall semesters.
CLASS – Queens North High Schools
There is a desperate need to develop leaders of improvement for ALL students. This special cohort is designed for teachers and pupil personnel in Queens North High Schools with a passion for creating school cultures in which all students learn. All areas needed to earn building and district-level credentials are addressed and students are prepared to successfully inhabit a wide variety of formal and informal leadership roles. Classes are hybrid and meet one evening per week either online or at Queens North High School. Participation on a school-based team and/or 2 or more applicants from the same school is a plus.
Applications are accepted for Fall semesters.
“CLASS is hands-on and engaging and prepared me to be the leader I am today. The courses directly aligned with our current roles, teaching leadership from within.
CLASS provided research-based guidance on every area of leadership including instruction, operations, team building, education law, coaching and so much more. When it was time to take the SBL and SDL exams, I was fully prepared and felt confident about passing both of them. I am still in contact with my cohort today and we support each other as we have grown from teachers to assistant principals and principals. If you are looking for a leadership program that really brings back your passion for educating with all the support you need during the program and after to be the leader you want, this is the program for you!”
– Nancy Dooley, Assistant Principal“I had a desire to change the problems that I saw my students struggling with, especially students of color. I wanted to make sure that I could change the state of education for the better. In CLASS, we don’t just talk about concepts, but you put it into action. You learn about it, read about it, look at case studies, and take what you learn into your school.”
– Michael Morgan, Assistant Principal“Since graduating from CLASS I have served as a Master Teacher, district curriculum administrator, and school principal. In each of these roles, I have been grateful for CLASS’ emphasis on collaboration, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.”
– Bryce Klatsky, Principal“CLASS instructors recognize that there are different effective leadership styles. They really get to know each student and individualize their support accordingly. This mentorship, which has continued long after graduating from the program, has had a huge impact in my life.” – Harpreet Mundi, Assistant Principal
School District Leadership
The School District Leadership Program (SDL) is designed for those educators who hold the School Building Leader (SBL) certification and wish to obtain this additional certification to be eligible to fill positions beyond the building level. These district-level positions may take several forms such as Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent of schools, coordinator, director, supervisor of district programs that can include, for example, Special Education, English Language Learners, Gifted Education, Early College, Guidance Services, Students with Special Needs.
Upon successful completion of the two-semester program, graduates will receive an Advanced Certificate in School District Leadership and recommendation for New York State School District Leader (SDL) certification.
Program Leader: Nell Scharff Panero at hscharff@hunter.cuny.edu
The SDL program is a three-course, 12-credit program usually completed in two semesters. Under some circumstances, applicants may elect to take all three, four-credit courses in the same semester to complete the program in one semester. The courses provide skills, knowledge and application in law and finance, district leadership and an internship at the district level.
Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters.