Tier I & Tier II Educational Leadership – Certification

Individuals must currently hold the Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Applicants must have  passed the GACE assessments in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Ethics in Educational Leadership. Individuals must currently hold certification in Tier I Educational Leadership.

Graduate Admissions Application

1. Official, final college or university transcript
2. Three professional references; one each from:
   • The Applicant's Current Principal or Superintendent
   • Former instructor
   • Professional colleague
3. Copy of current educator certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. Candidates from independent schools should submit a letter from the principal of head of school verifying full-time employment as a teacher or educational administrator. (Note: candidates not currently certified in Georgia who are seeking certification must contact the Georgia Professional Standards Commission.)
4. Professional Activities Resume
5. Personal Affirmation Form

Educators who hold professional educator certification in Georgia (who have three or more years of teaching experience) and who demonstrate disposition for school leadership, and who successfully complete requirements for certification (24 credits – 12 credits beyond the Ed.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction – see below), are eligible for recommendation for Tier I Educational Leadership certification. Candidates must hold the Education Specialist degree (Ed.S.) or the equivalent.

There are eight total courses in our Tier I program.  The four classes listed below are considered pre-requisites.  We are happy to review your transcript to match as many as possible from your EDS program.

Curriculum Design for a Changing World

School Resource Utilization

School Law and Ethics

Instructional Leadership for 21st Century Schools (capstone)

The other four required courses are:

EDEL 8810 Introduction to Educational Leadership (3)

EDEL 8852 Monitoring and Evaluating School Practices (3)

EDEL 8861 Data Driven School Improvement (3)

EDEL 8881 Internship in School Leadership (3)

Total Credit Hours: 12

Piedmont University offers two paths to Tier II – Certification Only OR EdD Educational Leadership. Candidates must obtain their Tier I Certification prior to pursuing Tier II Certification. Both paths are listed below.  It is important to NOTE that several of our Tier II Certification Only courses are also part of our EdD Educational Leadership program which also provides you with Tier II certification.  We have found that many of our Tier II Certification Only candidates decide to remain at Piedmont University and complete their EdD Educational Leadership degrees.

Tier II Educational Leadership Certification Only is reflected below:

EDD 8831E Trends and Issues in Curriculum Leadership (3)

EDD 8862E Educational Law, Ethics, and Policy (3)

EDD 8870E Program Design and Evaluation (3)

EDD 8871E Leading Change for School/District Improvement (3)

EDD 8872E Organizational Leadership (3)

EDD 8873E School/Community Relationships (3)

EDD 8874E Human Resources Management (3)

EDD 8875E School and District Resource Management (3)

EDD 8882E Educational Leadership Residency I (1)

EDD 8883E Educational Leadership Residency II (1)

EDD 8884E Educational Leadership Residency III (1)

EDD 8885E Educational Leadership Residency IV (1)

EDD 8886E Educational Leadership Residency V (1)

Total Credit Hours: 29

Required Courses