Explore our programs — offering exceptional academic preparation, opportunities for growth, and the tools to make an impact.
Stories, strategies, and actionable knowledge — putting HGSE's powerful ideas into practice.
With deep expertise that connects research, practice, and policy, HGSE faculty are leaders in the field.
Get to know our community — and all the ways to learn, collaborate, connect, develop your career, and build your network.
Faculty-led programs to deepen your impact and build your effectiveness as an educator and leader.
Access the premiere education subject library for Harvard University.
Access the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of the Registrar, Career Services, and other key resources.
Explore opportunities to grow, build connections, and create change.
Professional Development
Build leadership skills and capacity in those who serve or aspire to serve in instructional leadership roles.
Request more information.
All four courses run four times per year in January, March, June, and October. The tuition for each ILC course is $399. Groups of 10+: 25% off final invoice. Contact us for your discount code.
Click here to inquire about a custom engagement for your organization.
In accordance with Harvard University policy, Professional Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education affirms the right of all individuals to equal treatment in education without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Mentor teachers, instructional coaches, and leaders of instructional teams and departments play critical roles in teacher development and student growth. And when we offer access to leadership roles and support the people in them, we enrich and retain our strongest teachers.
The Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) was created to help teacher leaders build their leadership capacities and learn to provide the developmental support their colleagues need to become better classroom teachers. Through ILC, you will build skills to lead adult learners, engage with relevant problems of practice that address common challenges of instructional leadership, and apply knowledge, skills, and insights to practice leadership in your own professional context.
Participating in Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) coursework is an opportunity for teachers to distinguish themselves as teacher leaders who are knowledgeable and supportive resources in their professional communities. Becoming a member of the ILC cohort allows you to gain and contribute expertise through a series of courses designed to meld HGSE faculty expertise, the latest research, and the knowledge and insights of fellow practitioners. The certificate welcomes interest and registrations from all practitioners in the field.
“The case could be made that what teachers know of schools and of life in them, their purposes, their problems, their strengths, and how to make them better, is the most appropriate knowledge base for understanding this profession.” Eleanor R. Duckworth, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Professor of Education, Emerita
“The case could be made that what teachers know of schools and of life in them, their purposes, their problems, their strengths, and how to make them better, is the most appropriate knowledge base for understanding this profession.”
Eleanor R. Duckworth, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Professor of Education, Emerita
Led by HGSE faculty members, ILC consists of four six-week online courses designed to build capacity in those who serve or aspire to serve in instructional leadership roles, such as mentors, coaches, department chairs, grade-level leaders, and professional development facilitators. All courses address three certificate throughlines: Aligning Purpose and Practice, Advanced Instructional Excellence, and Leading and Motivating Educators.
The Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) consists of four 6-week online courses designed to build capacity in those who serve or aspire to serve in instructional leadership roles, such as mentors, coaches, department chairs, grade-level leaders, and facilitators of professional development. All courses address three certificate throughlines: Advanced Instructional Excellence, Leading and Motivating Educators, and Aligning Purpose and Practice.
The courses are asynchronous via our Canvas learning platform and are divided into six one-week modules, which consist of three to four hours of work per week that include a practice challenge for participants to apply learning in their context. There are opportunities for individual reflection and application as well as peer feedback throughout the course, and participants will be awarded 20 PD clock hours upon completion of each course.
To earn the Instructional Leadership Certificate, participants must complete all four ILC courses. Articulating the Intangibles of Teaching is the recommended foundational course, though courses may be completed in any order across a flexible schedule.
Noah Heller focuses on developing effective approaches to practice-based teacher education, teacher leadership and learning, and mathematics pedagogy.
Candice Bocala explores the connections between educator learning and organizational conditions that support collaborative work.
Victor Pereira's focus is on teacher preparation, developing new teachers, and improving science teaching and learning in middle and high school classrooms.
Katherine Rieser's research connects teacher education pedagogy with anti-racist best practices in K-12 schools.
This certificate welcomes both individuals and teams. First-time registrants need to create a Professional Education account to register.
Individuals: Click the “Register” button at the top of the individual ILC course's page to log into your Professional Education account and access the registration page. Proceed with the individual form until submission. Invoices will be immediately available upon submission of the form.
Teams: Designate one participant or an administrative staff member as the Coordinator.
Professional Education is excited to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for your successful participation in this program. The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally and internationally recognized unit of measurement for non-credit continuing education programs. As an IACET Accredited Provider, Professional Education offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
Requirements to be eligible to earn CEUs:
Upon successfully meeting all requirements outlined above, you will be notified via email that you have A) earned the certificate of completion for the program and B) are now eligible to earn CEUs. This email will contain the link to complete the required reflection assignment if you wish to receive CEUs, along with a submission deadline and time frame for receiving your CEUs. After submitting your reflection assignment, we will notify you via email of your CEU status, and if you have met all requirements, you will be able to download and view your CEU certificate at this point in time. ILC courses are eligible for 2 CEUs.
Note: Professional Education is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes the quality of continuing education and training.
Tuition assistance is available for the courses in this certificate on a need and application basis. Tuition assistance is granted based on participant and institutional needs. Requests for tuition assistance do not affect an applicant's prospects for admission. You may access the tuition assistance application after you have submitted your course application. Tuition assistance applications should be submitted at least one month prior to the final application deadline.
How do I earn the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC)?Participants must successfully complete all four ILC courses to earn the Instructional Leadership Certificate.
What is the format of the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) program? All four ILC courses are online, asynchronous, and six weeks long. A new module is unlocked each week during the course, and participants are free to work at their own pace.
What work is involved in the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) program?Each course requires approximately 20 hours of total work. Coursework includes readings, videos, assignments, and participation in Community Board discussions.
What is required to complete the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) program?Register for and complete all four ILC courses. Your Instructional Leadership Certificate will be granted to you automatically upon the successful completion of all four ILC courses.
What is the cost of each Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) course?The tuition for each of the four ILC courses is $399.
Are tuition assistance and scholarships available?While full scholarships are not available, we have a limited amount of tuition assistance available for each course. The option to apply for tuition assistance becomes available immediately after the submission of the registration form. Please note that applying for tuition assistance does not guarantee that you will receive tuition assistance. Once a final decision has been made, you will be notified via email.
When is each Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) course offered?All four ILC courses are typically offered in January, March, June, and October.
Do I need to complete the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) courses in a specific order?While Articulating the Intangibles of Teaching is the recommended foundational course, courses may be completed in any order.
Is there a required timeline for completing all four Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) courses to earn the Instructional Leadership Certificate? There is no required timeframe. Courses may be completed across a flexible schedule.
Can I complete an Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) course if I won’t be in an instructional setting during the course? Yes, you will be able to draw on your past experiences and visions for your future setting to work through the modules and complete your assignments.
Can I take more than one Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) course at a time?To get the most from the experience, we recommend taking one course at a time, given the weekly time commitment of three to four hours. However, if you wish to complete more than one course at once, we recommend taking no more than two at a time.
If I am already enrolled in one of the Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) courses, do I need to register again to enroll in another course?Yes, registration must be completed individually for each ILC course and can be completed for courses that are currently open for registration.
Can teams/groups register for this program? We welcome both individual and team/group registration for each ILC course.
Is there a discount for teams/groups?We offer a group discount of 25% off the final invoice for teams with 10 or more participating members. Please contact us and we will be happy to apply the discount to your invoice.
What will I receive upon the successful completion of each Instructional Leadership Certificate (ILC) course?For each ILC course you complete, you will be granted a digital certificate of completion, a digital certificate confirming 20 clock hours, and the opportunity to earn 2 CEUs (at no additional cost).
Can I earn graduate credits?Professional Education programs, including the four ILC courses, do not offer graduate credits.
Are the courses available individually or only as part of the full program?Each course is a standalone course as well as being part of the Instructional Leadership Certificate program.
Educator teams need to take a more inquiry-based approach to data analysis to address inequitable norms and patterns.