Educational Leadership Certification, Tier I

The University of North Georgia offers a certificate in Tier I Educational Leadership Certification Program-School Leadership and Administration. The program is designed for educators who have a master's degree and are preparing for entry-level leadership positions in public schools, particularly assistant principal positions.

Request Information Apply Attend a Virtual Information Session

Applicants certified in Georgia should verify with their employer or the GaPSC whether the advanced degree leads to a certificate upgrade or pay increase. The GaPSC provides the Certificate Upgrade Advisor to assist with this process. Out-of-state applicants should also verify with their employer or certification agency to verify certificate upgrades.

Educational Leadership Certification, Tier 1 Program Quick Facts

Qualifies candidates for Tier I certification
Cohort model engaging small groups for an enhanced learning experience
Online program
Asynchronous classes with synchronous meetings
Federal financial aid not available

Master's degree and 3 years teaching experience required
This is an add-on certification to a T5 certification
Completion of this program and all its requirements qualifies candidates for Georgia Tier I certification in Educational Leadership
Program consists of 18 credit hours spanning over three semesters with a summer semester start (May of each year)
Candidates with a Level 6 or Level 7 Certificate can request a transcript review for possible course substitutions not to exceed six semester hours

Program Application Deadlines

If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications and cancel remaining incomplete applicants. It is better to complete your application early.

Summer Deadline

April 15

How to Apply to Get the Tier 1 Educational Leadership Certification

Certification Non-Degree
Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 (4.0 scale) at the master's level calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.

Three years of teaching experience.

Required Supplemental Documents

Completed reference form from a supervisor or school/district administrator.

Professional Resume.

Personal statement addressing the following:

Describe your leadership roles in your current position.

Please list initiatives that you developed and led at your school or in your community.

Describe the impacts of the initiatives listed above.

Applying to UNG

Step 1Application and Application Fee

Step 2Official Transcript

Step 3Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.

Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

Non-refundable application fee of $40.

Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.

Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.

Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work, undergraduate and graduate level.

Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.

Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.

Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.

Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.

International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.

Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

Learn More

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

All International

International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

This program requires current teacher certification. The University of North Georgia is unable to offer a path to enrollment for foreign nationals without current teacher certification in the United States.

Dept. Site Catalog Cost

Questions?

For questions about the program, contact:

College of Education
Dr. Beth Hebert
Office: 706-864-1893

For questions about the application process, contact:
Graduate Admissions
grads@ung.edu
706-864-1543

Professional Licensure and Certification

The University of North Georgia offers degree programs that meet the educational requirements for students to apply for professional licensure and certifications in Georgia. However, the programs may not meet education requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

For additional information, please review the Professional Licensure and Certification Disclosure.