The teacher leadership certificate is designed to provide teachers and other school division professionals with opportunities to advance their knowledge and skills in application of leadership within the classroom, school, community, and beyond. Aligned with national competencies for teacher leadership, the program prepares professionals for sound problem-solving, effective communication, skillful collaboration, and application of critical leadership attributes.

The Graduate Certificate program is intended for those who already have a degree and who are looking for formal training in Teacher Leadership. Students must have a teaching license or be eligible for a teaching license at the start of program enrollment.

The Graduate Certificate program is a two-semester, four course program that is offered as a cohort model. Students may choose* to enroll in a fully online (asynchronous and synchronous) or hybrid (combination of asynchronous online and face-to-face class sessions) cohort. 

Graduate Certificate program is part-time, with 1 or 2 classes taken each semester.

*choice of cohort is contingent upon the number of students in a given semester

Minimum admission requirements for entry to the teacher leadership concentration include the following:

• Satisfactory completion of a baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
• Evidence of a current professional educator's license (or evidence of eligibility for licensure).

Students in the certificate program must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher with no grade lower than a B-.

Visit the JMU Catalog for course listings.

Graduate certificate may be used toward the M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership.