Educational Leadership (M.S., Certificate)

To apply for the educational leadership master’s or certificate programs, a candidate must complete the online application, which includes:

• One official transcript for the institution where the highest degree was conferred
• A copy of the Maryland Educator’s Certificate issued by the Maryland State Department of Education
• A letter of recommendation for the current principal or supervisor

Once the application is complete, the program director will contact the candidate to set up a virtual interview. 

Note: Applicants for the partnership program with Montgomery County Public Schools are required to have completed three years of tenure with MCPS to be eligible for the in-county cohort program.

The Graduate School offers rolling admission, and applicants are eligible to apply during our Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Click here to find our application deadlines.

Transfer credit policy for admitted students

Students may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credits from an external, accredited institution, or another Hood graduate program prior to the first semester of study in the current program. Please review the full graduate transfer credit policy in the College catalog.

Candidates for the master’s degree must complete the following courses. Candidates should follow the sequence of the courses as listed as much as possible. 

Program Completion

Students who complete the coursework for the master’s degree and who maintain a 3.0 GPA are eligible for the State of Maryland Administrator I license. Students who take and pass the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) are eligible for the State of Maryland Administrator II license.

Program Follow Up

After finishing either program, students will complete the following activities:

1. Assessment of Dispositions and Program Exit Survey at the end of the yearlong internship.
2. Program survey one year after program completion.

Students enrolled in this certificate must have a master's degree in a related education field and must complete 18 credit hours in the following  required courses. Completion of the coursework enables a student to qualify for the State of Maryland Administrator I license. Students who successfully complete the coursework and who take and pass the ETS School Leaders Licensure Assessment may qualify for the State of Maryland Administrator II license. Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to transfer in any credits.