School Leadership Frequently Asked Questions

• Principal Licensure Strand FAQs
• Teacher Leadership Strand FAQs
• School Development Strand FAQs
• General FAQs

Principal Licensure Strand FAQs

1. How do I become a member of the Principal Licensure Strand of the School Leadership Program?

Individuals interested in the Principal Licensure Strand of the School Leadership Program must apply and be admitted to the Principal Licensure Strand of SLP. During the admissions review process, your background, experience and interest as related to the requirements of the particular program strand will be considered by a faculty committee.

2. What are the minimum requirements for admission to the strand?

• Admission to the Principal Licensure Strand of the School Leadership Program
• Four years of full-time teaching experience
• Valid teacher licensure

Please note that applicants interested in the Principal Licensure Strand of the School Leadership Program must submit the following items with the application:

1. A photocopy of your teaching license
2. An official letter signed by your principal on school letterhead verifying your employment. This letter must clearly state that you have taught as a full-time teacher for at least four years and include the dates of employment.
3. Four original transcripts for every school attended

3. What do I do if I have four years of full-time teaching experience, but do not have teacher licensure?

You can submit an application. You may be admitted, but if you do not have teacher licensure, you cannot be licensed as a principal through our program in Massachusetts at the end of your year-long study. However, if you obtain your teacher licensure prior to the end of the academic year, you can obtain your principal license. Note: if you complete the Principal Licensure Strand of SLP without your teacher licensure, this does not mean that you cannot be licensed in another state. You should check with your state's requirements.

4. What are the requirements for completion of the strand?

Please click on the "Curriculum" section located on the right for a full course requirement breakdown.

5. How long do I have to complete the strand?

If you are a full-time Ed.M. student, you must complete the strand within one academic year. If you are part-time, you must complete the strand within two years.

6. Does the Graduate School of Education find a pre-practicum or practicum site for me?

Yes. The Director of the Principals' Center will assist students with practicum placements.

7. Will my Massachusetts principal licensure be accepted in another state?

Massachusetts has signed reciprocity contracts under the Interstate Agreement with a number of states. * Reciprocity is not automatic. You will still need to apply for licensure and meet their specific regulations (i.e., tests, courses, workshops) in the state where you will be seeking employment. In other states, more if often required than just applying for reciprocity.

* Contact the Massachusetts Department of Education at (781) 388-3300, ext. 665, for further information.

8. Are there any documents I should bring with me to HGSE?

Yes. You can facilitate a portion of the paperwork process by bringing copies of your teacher licensure and undergraduate transcripts (and graduate transcripts if you have a degree from another institution).

9. Once I have been admitted to the strand, what kind of support can I expect to receive?

The director of The Principals' Center, Mary Grassa-O'Neill, an invaluable resource for students in the strand, meets with students by appointment. There is also an administrative assistant for the Principal Licensure Strand whose office is in The Principals' Center. Throughout your participation in the strand, the administrative assistant will be available to assist you during established office hours as well as by e-mail. She or he will help you maintain a file, along with Denise Bowman and her office in the Career Services Office, who will also help you present your application packet to the Massachusetts Department of Education for principal licensure.

10. Can I obtain more than one principal license?

Yes, you can obtain a license for more than one level, including elementary, middle and high school. However, you may need to add a class to your course of study if you do not have teacher licensure within the area. For example, if you want both elementary and high school licensure, but only have a high school teacher license, you will need to take a developmental class for elementary age children. By permissions of the Principals' Center, this requirement can be waived in circumstances where a student has taken such a class in the past, and can provide a school transcript and course description.

Teacher Leadership Strand FAQs

1. How do I become a member of the Teacher Leadership Strand of the School Leadership Program?

Individuals interested in the Teacher Leadership Strand of the School Leadership Program must apply and be admitted to the Teacher Leadership Strand of the program.

2. What are the minimum requirements for admission to the strand?

• Three years of full-time teaching experience
• Demonstrated commitment to classroom teaching
• Desire to lead both inside and outside of the classroom

3. What are the requirements for completion of the strand?

Please click on the "Curriculum" section located on the right for a full course requirement breakdown.

4. How long do I have to complete the strand?

If you are a full-time Ed.M. student, you must complete the strand within one academic year. If you are part-time, you must complete the strand within two years.

5. Does the Graduate School of Education find an internship site for me?

Faculty and staff affiliated with the strand will work individually with you to identify and establish appropriate internships. Faculty and staff will also provide advice and counsel and help you establish appropriate networks as you plan for new leaderships roles.

6. Are there any documents I should bring with me to HGSE?

Please bring any documentation and information about your prior experience as a school leader and any materials that you feel will help us determine an appropriate placement for you.

7. What will the experience be like?

If you are a student in the Teacher Leadership Strand, you will attend a core class with students from the other strands of the School Leadership Program. One course is A328, the School Leadership Seminar. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to choose from an array of courses on topics such as literacy, student assessment, curriculum design, conflict resolution, creating community in the classroom, experience-based curriculum, and adult development. The program will provide an intensive exploration of the principles and skills of school leadership and organizational change.

8. Is the strand focused solely on K-12 schools in the United States?

The majority of the coursework, strand, and concentration activities will feature K-12 schools in the United States. While students from other countries are encouraged to enroll, a working familiarity with the U.S. educational system would be helpful.

9. How will this strand benefit me when I return to classroom teaching?

You will be better prepared to assume new leadership roles in your school or school system. For example, you will be prepared to:

• participate more effectively in a school site council;
• chair a curriculum or other policy-making committee;
• begin and lead a teacher research group;
• establish a collaboration with a local university, museum, or business;
• play an active role in reforming inservice or preservice teacher education; and
• introduce fundamental structural reforms in your school.

School Development Strand FAQs

1. What are the minimum requirements for admission to the strand?

You must have at least three years of experience in educational settings including classroom teaching, educational or nonprofit management, or other organizations working to enhance the well-being of children as well as an entrepreneurial spirit.

2. What are the requirements for completion of the strand?

Please click on the "Curriculum" section located on the right for a full course requirement breakdown.

3. How long do I have to complete the strand?

If you are a full-time Ed.M. student, you should complete the strand within one academic year. If you are part-time, you should complete the requirements within two years.

4. Does the Graduate School of Education find an internship site for me and what assistance will I have in looking for a position upon graduation?

Faculty and staff affiliated with the strand will work individually with you to identify and establish appropriate internships. Faculty and staff will also provide advice and counseling about job placement opportunities and help establish appropriate networks for students as they seek positions as school leaders.

5. What documents should I bring with me to HGSE if I am interested in entering this strand?

Please bring any documentation and information about your prior experience as a school leader and any information that you feel will help us determine whether this concentration is a good match for you.

6. What will the experience be like?

If you are a student in the School Development Strand, you will attend a core class with students from the other strands of the School Leadership Program. This course is the School Leadership Seminar, A328. In addition, you will attend field placements, participate in case-discussions, assigned on-site school activities, and develop a professional network of individuals who are passionate about creating better schools for children. The strand will provide an intensive exploration of the principles and skills of school leadership and organizational change.

7. Is the strand focused solely on K-12 schools in the United States?

The majority of the coursework, strand, and program activities will feature K-12 schools in the United States. While students from other countries are encouraged to enroll, a working familiarity with the U.S. educational system would be helpful.

8. Will I receive state licensure as a School Developer?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts does not license individuals as School Developers. However, depending on the courses selected and prior licensure, you may qualify for supervisor/director licensure.

9. How can I decide if this strand is for me?

Successful candidates will have a passion for enabling children to live healthy, productive lives that reflect the highest standards of social, cognitive and personal development. Individuals in this strand should have a particular interest in leading from non-traditional positions other than those of principals and teachers. A keen entrepreneurial spirit is also essential.

If you have questions about...

Licensure Information

Detailed information about licensure requirements (for the Principal Licensure strand) is available on the HGSE Licensure website.

The Field Experience Program (FEP)

Many Ed.M. students participate in HGSE's internship program, the Field Experience Program (FEP). For more information, please visit the FEP website.

Career Opportunities

For more information please visit HGSE's Career Services Office.

Cross-Registration

Many HGSE students choose to take courses at other Harvard graduate schools (aka, cross-registering), including the Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Kennedy School of Government (KSG). Unfortunately, Harvard's schools operate on different schedules. Therefore, remain mindful of school's individual calendars and deadlines: start of classes, vacations, and exams.

For more information about cross-registering at other Harvard schools, please visit: https://crossreg.harvard.edu/OASIS/CrossReg/index.html

HGSE Course Catalog

For more information about HGSE course offerings, view the entire HGSE course catalogue.

Admissions

For more information about the HGSE admissions process, please visit Admissions