Urban Educational Leadership Graduate Certificate

Become a culturally competent educational leader

Graduate Certificate (21 credits)

Take an alternative route to school administrator certification with the certificate in urban educational leadership program at Davenport University. Designed as a pathway to start or advance your career as an educational leader in our cities, this 21-credit certification program is available through a partnership between Davenport and the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA).

Balance your educational and personal goals with a 100% online educational leadership certificate delivered through Davenport’s Global Campus. Finish this education certificate program in just one year so you can start making a difference as an urban educator.

The education leadership certificate curriculum is part of the master of urban educational leadership program, so once you’ve earned your certificate, you can continue with the full master’s program. Or go straight to work as an urban educator who can address issues in urban education and provide leadership for educational equity in our schools.

An educational leadership certificate aligned to national standards

Position yourself to become an educational leader within urban schools and districts through an education leadership certificate that is aligned to the national Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) as well as the Michigan Standards for the Preparation of Building Administrators.

Explore classes for Davenport’s educational leadership certificate

Open up new opportunities as an urban educator through courses on topics such as educational leadership; race, culture and equity in urban educational leadership; and strategic improvements of urban schools and districts. You’ll combine rigorous academic work with on-going practice-based opportunities, including real-world case studies and simulations as well as internships and fieldwork.

The Michigan Elementary and Secondary Principals Association (MEMSPA) is a state-approved alternative route to school administrator certification provider in Michigan and has partnered with Davenport University to provide the state-approved coursework for certification.

See Full Course List

Foundations of Urban Educational Leadership		9 Credits
UEDU622	Educational Leadership This course introduces candidates to contemporary and classic theories of leadership. Additionally, this course examines the replacement of trait-based leadership theories by research-based practices in the educational context. The topics explored in this course are drawn from multidisciplinary perspectives, including psychology, anthropology, and sociology. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3
UEDU710	Race, Culture, & Equity This course will give candidates the strategies necessary to develop and sustain inclusive, equity-focused schools and systems. Candidates will gain understanding of how the intersection of race, identity, power, and privilege in our society impacts urban schools. Methods to identify inequitable structures and practices reflecting the legacy of racism and other forms of exclusion will be introduced. Candidates will learn strategies for building school culture, curriculum and programs that include strengths-based instruction, cultural competency and effective communication with all stakeholders resulting in family and community engagement. Candidates will develop the capabilities to do this critical work within schools and urban educational systems. Prerequisite(s): Admissions to the Master of Urban Education program	3
UEDU735	Leading & Managing Urban Sch Candidates in this course will examine effective methods of school leadership based on data that impacts instruction, school culture and managing leadership teams. This course also examines the political and cultural context of educational reform and innovation efforts in urban districts and charter management organizations over the past decade. Candidates will compare the perspectives of several school and district leaders who helped lead the reform efforts in large and diverse urban districts and those of critics of the reform movement. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3

Business Essentials for Urban Schools and District Administrators		9 Credits
UEDU744	Human Capital Management This course is designed to introduce candidates to the whole spectrum of traditional human resources' responsiblities and major functions and to grapple with the organizational challenges that have emerged in urban school districts due to poorly functioning HR systems, and challenges with labor and reactionary management. Topics will include intentional recruitment of a diverse workforce, effective candidate screening and selection processes, onboarding, performance management and evaluation, compensation, career progression and employee and labor relations. Additionally, candidates will learn how to transform an urban school or district's human resource management function into a more strategic and integrated component of a district's overall approach to improving student achievement. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3
UEDU753	Stratgc Imprvmnt Urbn Sch/Dist In this course, candidates will be introduced to successful reform strategies and best practices that address how time, resources, and responsibilities can be allocated in urban schools and districts. Candidates will determine how each of these strategies can be managed politically and communicated to stakeholders. Exploration of strategic frameworks including strategic decision making and analysis or complex systems, structures and problems from multiple stakeholder perspectives will take place from a socio-economic and a socio-political context. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3
UEDU790	Urban Educ Leadership Intern Contact the Urban Education Program Department Chair at least one semester prior to enrolling to begin the internship placement process. The internship is a 100 hour minimum supervised leadership experience in an approved school placement. The course synthesizes key content and high-impact field-based practices embedded in the program resulting in student demonstration of the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions articulated by state-approved leadership standards. Students will collaborate with an on-site mentor-supervisor who has demonstrated experience as a school educational leader, and is selected collaboratively by the intern and Urban Education program faculty. Students will demonstrate leadership standards through specific classroom and on-site assessments. An appropriate program faculty member and the placement site supervisor will also evaluate the student?s performance. Any unexcused non-attendance or dismissal from an internship, practicum, clinical or fieldwork	3

Instructional Core Transformation Strategies		3 Credits
UEDU796	Transfrmtn & Mgmt - Instr Core Candidates in this course will explore the need for schools to establish their own internal systems and professional cultures to improve student outcomes and develop their own systems for leading the instructional core in context. Candidates will learn how to evaluate the learning experience of students in classrooms and the implications of these experiences for the instructional core. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

1st

Take courses through Michigan’s first College of Urban Education

100%

Complete your educational leadership certificate 100% online

Become an educational leader in urban settings in just 1 year

Finish your master of educational leadership in just two years

Why pursue an educational leadership certificate at Davenport?

Learn to provide leadership in educational equity through the urban educational leadership certificate at Davenport. You’ll gain experience in cultural competence and school administration, both of which are in high demand in K-12 districts throughout the state. You’ll receive weekly on-the-job coaching and have opportunities for service learning. Through our cultural intelligence assessments, you’ll gain insight into internal bias and systemic inequity.

By earning the educational leadership certificate, you’ll be eligible for increased compensation and/or advancement within your school district. You’ll be well-positioned for job opportunities, including principal, vice-principal, dean of students and other roles as an educational leader.

Experience the Davenport difference:

100% online educational leadership certificate

Prepare for leadership for educational equity through this 100% online educational leadership certificate, available through our Global Campus, Michigan’s first online learning community.

Benefit from our educational partnerships

Take advantage of Davenport’s relationships with partner districts, some of which often offer tuition benefits to candidates enrolled in our urban education programs.

Hands-on experience in urban settings

Gain hands-on experience through projects, service learning, research, fieldwork and internships in urban education settings with a focus on leadership for educational equity and inclusion.

Faculty who are educational leaders

Experience a 15:1 student-faculty ratio and learn from Davenport University faculty who are certified teaching professionals with more than 10 years of experience as educational leaders.

Financial aid and discounts available

Benefit from Davenport’s expansive partnerships with local schools and districts. If you work for one of our educational partners, you may be eligible for tuition discounts of up to 39%.

Focused on best practices

Leverage your experience while exploring research and best practices in areas like leadership for educational equity, curriculum, instruction and assessment, entrepreneurship and more.

Get started on your online educational leadership certificate

Explore the admissions requirements and then take the next step toward earning your educational leadership certificate at Davenport.

Talk to a graduate admissions advisor

Davenport’s admissions team is here to answer your questions. Please call us at 800.686.1600 or email us at info@davenport.edu.

Apply now or request more information

Start or advance your career as an educational leader in our cities. Request more information or begin your application now.

About Davenport University

Davenport is a private, not-for-profit university with more than 150 years of experience preparing students for successful careers.

Offering over 60 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, we align with top employers to design degree programs that help you gain the skills and real-world experience you need to rise above the rest. With small class sizes and campuses across Michigan or online, you’ll earn a quality education on your schedule at Davenport University.

Admission checklist

In order to qualify:

Fill out the Davenport Application for Admission.
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or above with a 3.0 GPA.
Two (2) signed professional recommendation forms and one personal recommendation form are required.
A current resume/CV must be submitted and it should include prior employment experience, educational background, and any organizational affiliations.
Statement of purpose (refer to the statement of purpose form in the admission packet).
Participate in an interview with the College of Urban Education (CUE) Admission Committee – to be scheduled by Davenport upon submission of the completed application.

Davenport is planning to offer classes in-seat, real-time virtual and online for the winter semester.