Overview

The Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) at Cleveland State University was established in 2008 to build leadership capacity across Northeast Ohio and beyond. To that aim, the Center creates and launches high-quality educational leadership and school licensure programs that move talented individuals along their leadership pathways, from teacher leader, to principal, to superintendent. At each juncture in a leader's career, new skills, endorsements, certificates, and/or licensures can be earned through the Center for Educational Leadership.

Center for Educational Leadership academic and leadership programs offer best practices in leadership development; relevant curriculum, aligned with universally accepted leadership standards; the use of a cohort model to build leadership networks and ensure program completion; nationally accredited programs that are delivered 100% online, serving the needs of busy working professionals. Admission is by recruitment, invitation, and nomination, creating a cohort of talented, energized leaders; and CEL faculty are vetted scholar practitioners who are school leaders successfully doing the work.

Since its inception, the Center for Educational Leadership at State University has graduated more than 85 cohorts of aspiring or practicing leaders who are demonstrating their competencies as well as showing growth in their leadership careers. Some are successfully leading school districts with the toughest of challenges, while others are continuing to lead thriving schools in the region. Through the programs offered at the Center for Educational Leadership, school superintendents are cultivating their leadership pipelines and ensuring that they have robust pools of exemplary applicants when a vacancy occurs.

The Center for Educational Leadership Pathway

Aspiring school leaders begin their leadership journey by enrolling in the Masters in Educational Leadership Cohort Track Program, which includes a degree and the principal license. For individuals already possessing a Master's degree in Education, the Inspired Leaders Principal Licensure Program  gives them just what they need to move into their first principalships. For additional leadership advancement, individuals may participate in the five-month long Ohio Urban Principal Endorsement Program, the only approved program in Ohio to earn the Urban Principal Endorsement, which can be added to the professional principal's license. As individuals become more accomplished school leaders, there is a well-established Superintendent Licensure Program developed and convened by esteemed superintendent emeriti. Mid-career leaders from schools, universities, nonprofits, and other agencies then have the opportunity to enroll in the Washington, D.C.-sponsored Education Policy Fellowship Program. The Center is the Ohio site for this national leadership program, which focuses on leadership, education policy, and national networking.

Financial Aid Information:

To find out more information on Financial Aid for teachers, download the information here.

The Ohio Assessment for Educators

• Register for the exam
• OAE ASSESSMENT is 015 Educational Leadership
• Select CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY from the drop down menu for Educator Preparation Training                                                              

Professional Dispositions

View the Professional Dispositions for CEL candidates here.