Leadership Graduate Certificate

Advance your career as an urban education leader — in one year's time

Alternative Route to School Administrator Certification

Take a well-rounded, culturally responsive route toward your school administrator certification with this urban educational leadership graduate certificate — an 18-credit program available through a partnership between Davenport University and the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA).

We help you balance your educational and personal goals with a 100% Online+ educational leadership certificate delivered through our Global Campus. In as little as one year, you can gain expertise in educational equity to lead effectively in K-12 urban educational environments.

An urban educational leadership certificate aligned to national standards

Position yourself to become an educational leader within urban schools with a leadership certificate that is aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards for elementary and secondary building administrators.

Explore classes for Davenport’s urban educational leadership certificate

During the program, you’ll receive weekly mentoring and coaching, along with opportunities for service learning. Through our cultural intelligence assessments and learning modules, you’ll gain insight into internal bias and systemic inequity. Leadership topics such as human capital management, instructional core transformation and strategic improvement will focus on the unique needs of urban school environments.

The Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA) provides a state-approved, alternative route to school administrator certification 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Admission to the Master of Urban Education program	3

Business Essentials for Urban Schools and District Administrators		6 Credits
UEDU744	Human Capital Management This course is designed to introduce candidates to the whole spectrum of traditional human resources’ responsibilities 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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. 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 of complex systems, structures and problems from multiple stakeholder perspectives will take place from a socio-economic and a socio-political context. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. 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 the collection of the 100-hour minimum supervised leadership experience hours through the key assessments designed to provide students with opportunities to make connections between the theory and practice of academic study and the practical application of that study in a professional work environment. The fieldwork and internship hours are provided in each course for the Certificate of Urban Educational Leadership. The department chair shall receive the internship hours and confirm for submission of completion. This course is graded as pass/fail. A criminal background check and drug screening may be required by the Internship site. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): UEDU622, UEDU710, UEDU735, UEDU744, UEDU753, UEDU796	0

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. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. 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:

Finish this graduate certificate program in just one year

18:1

Benefit from an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio at Davenport University

100%

Complete your educational leadership certificate 100% online

Finish your Master of Education in urban educational leadership in just two years

Why pursue an educational leadership certificate at Davenport?

In as little as one year's time, you can gain expertise in educational equity and culturally responsive leadership strategies for K-12 urban education environments. During the program, you’ll receive weekly mentoring and coaching, along with opportunities for service learning. Through our cultural intelligence assessments, you’ll gain insight into internal bias and systemic inequity. Leadership topics such as human capital management, instructional core transformation and strategic improvement will focus on the unique needs of urban school environments.

Additionally, you’ll be well-positioned for job opportunities, including principal, vice principal, dean of students and other roles as an educational leader. Upon program completion, you may be eligible for increased compensation and/or advancement within your school district.

This graduate certificate is part of Davenport's master of urban educational leadership program, so once you’ve earned your certificate, you can seamlessly continue with the full master’s program. Or you can go straight to work as an urban educator, leading the way toward increasing educational equity.

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.

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 an 18:1 student-faculty ratio and learn from educators who have nearly 30+ years of experience collectively, with expertise in areas like elementary and secondary teaching and educational leadership as well as certification in Online+ learning instruction.

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%.

Award-winning program

Davenport is a Transformational Award Winner as recognized by the American Council on Education.

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.

Explore programs related to the urban Education leadership certificate

Master of Education in Urban Educational Leadership

Urban Education Graduate Certificate

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 80 degree and certificate 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.*

Admissions checklist

Step 1: Apply for admission to Davenport University.
- Must have a bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Send official transcripts to electronictranscripts@davenport.edu
Step 2: Complete the Urban Education Leadership Graduate Supplement
- To do so, you'll need:
  - Answers to short-form questions
  - Resume
  - Information for background check

Some programs require a student to complete a portion of their degree plan off-campus.
View a full list of those programs and courses

Sources:

DU Student Data, Fall 2023
Davenport University, 2023/2024 Catalog

Urban Educational Leadership Graduate Certificate