Leadership Programs
Hunter’s educational leadership programs, designed for the working professional, prepare New York State-certified teachers and pupil personnel providers for a broad range of school and district leadership roles in urban schools and districts.
There are two distinct Educational Leadership SBL/SDL master’s degree programs: Administration and Supervision (ADSUP) and Collaborative Leadership Advancing School Success (CLASS).
So what distinguishes the two programs, and how can you determine which is best for you?
ADSUP is our more traditional program, with individual courses focused on discrete topics and taught by instructors/professors with expertise in that area. ADSUP includes a course on Supervision, for example, and another focused on school operations.
CLASS is our less traditional, hands-on program, with courses organized around a model of leading for equity-focused continuous improvement called Strategic Inquiry. While the same standards are addressed in both programs, courses in CLASS form an integrated whole and are led by one instructor/professor with expertise in this leadership model.
Additionally, we offer an Advanced Certificate program in School District Leadership.
Attend an information session to learn more about the differences between the programs to determine which program to apply for.
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. ADSUP focuses on the skills and knowledge stated by national leadership standards (ELCC and PSEL) with discrete courses taught by educators with expertise in the particular content of each course. Emphases in our courses include 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 completing 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.
Applications are accepted for Fall and Spring semesters.
Program Leader: Nell Scharff Panero at hscharff@hunter.cuny.edu
Learn more about admission requirements and how to apply.
ADSUP – Westchester Edith Winthrop Teacher Center Cohort
Offered in partnership with the Edith Winthrop Teacher Center (EWTC), this cohort master’s degree meets either online or in-person. Applications are accepted for Fall semesters.
Program Leader: Ron Valenti
Learn more about admission requirements and how to apply for this cohort.
“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-focused improvement (strategic inquiry) in which participants improve performance for historically underserved students and re-design systems to better serve these and all students. 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 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 the Program Leader, Kathleen Smith at ks286@hunter.cuny.edu.
Learn more about admission requirements and how to apply.
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 – Specialized Cohorts
In addition to our CLASS – Hunter Campus cohort, we run specialized CLASS cohorts each year. Participation on a school-based team and/or 2 or more applicants from the same school is a plus.
Fall 2025 Specialized Cohorts
- CLASS – Multilingual Learners
- CLASS – Arts-Based Leadership
Fall 2026 Specialized Cohorts
- CLASS – Structured Literacy Leadership
- CLASS – Special Education
“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, and supervisor of district programs including English Language Learners, Gifted Education, Early College, Guidance Services, and Students with Special Needs.
Upon successful completion of the two-semester program, graduates will receive an Advanced Certificate in School District Leadership and a 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.