Program Overview
For educators who have Master’s degrees in areas other than Educational Administration, the Center for Educational Leadership offers the Inspired Leaders Principal Licensure Program (ILP). This one-of-a-kind program is a fast track and convenient pathway to the principal’s license: four semesters on select Saturdays and online!
- Nationally accredited and Standards-based, aligned with the new Ohio Standards for Principals.
- Accelerated Program Track: 11 courses (22 credit hours) in 16 months.
- Cohort Model: cultivating professional learning networks.
- 100% Online Format with synchronous online course meetings on select Saturdays.
- Instructors are Scholar Practitioners: school leaders who are currently doing the leadership work.
Over 70% of CEL program graduates are hired into new jobs in administration and school leadership.
Visit our CEL Admissions Procedures page for application directions for the Inspired Leaders Program.
Locations
The Inspired Leaders Principal Licensure Program currently begins new cohorts each semester across Northeast Ohio in the following locations:
- Fall Semesters
- Downtown Cleveland at CSU's Main Campus
- Akron
- Spring Semesters
- Educational Service Center (ESC) of Northeast Ohio in Independence
Cohorts can be established in any school district or region and be customized to its needs and culture.
Admissions Requirements
To qualify, candidates must meet requirements:
- A Master’s degree
- Minimum G.P.A: 3.0
- Two years of teaching experience under a valid teaching license, OR
- Two years successful work experience in a school under a pupil service license, which would include individuals working as school counselors, psychologists, nurses, audiologists, social workers, speech-language pathologists, and orientation and mobility specialists.
For educators that do not yet have a master's degree, please visit our M.Ed. in Educational Leadership Cohort Track Program page.
Course Sequence
Option 1: Fall Semester Start
| Semester | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | CEL 603 | Visionary Leadership |
| Fall | CEL 600 | Leadership for 21st Century Schools |
| Fall | CEL 606 | Making Global Connections Through Technology |
| Spring | CEL 609 | Leading School Reform |
| Spring | CEL 612 | Data Driven Decision Making |
| Spring | CEL 615 | Raising Student Achievement |
| Summer | CEL 627 | School Operations and Personnel Management |
| Summer | CEL 624 | Leadership, Community, and Engagement |
| Fall | CEL 621 | Education Policy and Practice |
| Fall | CEL 630 | Capstone |
| Fall | CEL 618 | Communicating Effectively |
| Capstone Graduation & Presentations |
Option 2: Spring Semester Start
| Semester | Course | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | CEL 603 | Visionary Leadership |
| Spring | CEL 600 | Leadership for 21st Century Schools |
| Spring | CEL 606 | Making Global Connections Through Technology |
| Summer | CEL 609 | Leading School Reform |
| Summer | CEL 624 | Leadership, Community, and Engagement |
| Fall | CEL 612 | Data Driven Decision Making |
| Fall | CEL 615 | Raising Student Achievement |
| Fall | CEL 627 | School Operations and Personnel Management |
| Spring | CEL 621 | Education Policy and Practice |
| Spring | CEL 630 | Capstone |
| Spring | CEL 618 | Communicating Effectively |
| Capstone Graduation & Presentations |
