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. |  |
Which class should I take? When should I take it?
See our Recommended Program Sequences:
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:
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100% Online+ educational leadership certificatePrepare for leadership for educational equity through this 100% Online+ educational leadership certificate, available through our Global Campus. |
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Benefit from our educational partnershipsTake advantage of Davenport’s relationships with partner districts, some of which often offer tuition benefits to candidates enrolled in our urban education programs. |
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Hands-on experience in urban settingsGain 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 leadersExperience an 18:1 student-to-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. |
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Financial aid and discounts availableBenefit 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%. |
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Award-winning programDavenport 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
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 100 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.
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:
Davenport University, 2024/2025 Catalog
IPEDS 2023-24 Data Collection, 2024 Fall Enrollment