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Leaders Drive Equity in Education A Virtual Certificate

Among today’s greatest challenges in the United States is the need to create more equitable, antiracist schools. The failure to meet this need for all of our children - regardless of racial, cultural, economic, or linguistic background - widens the opportunity gap between those who thrive and those who struggle.

Antiracist Administration, Supervision, and Leadership

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Hear about our certificate program in Antiracist Administration, Supervision, and Leadership.

The world needs education, now more than ever. And the world needs you,now more than ever as well. ~ Dean Cheryl Holcomb-McCoyAmerican University’s fully virtual 18-credit post-masters graduate certificate in Antiracist Administration, Supervision, and Leadership (ARASL) prepares education leaders with the required content and knowledge, as well as the necessary mindset shift, to dismantle racist practices and policies in classrooms, schools, and districts.

The executive-style, fully virtual program will be offered in different formats to meet the needs of working professionals. Upon completion of the certificate, graduates will be eligible for state leadership certification in Washington D.C. and other states.

This program provides an exciting learning experience that combines rigorous academic work with actual practice. We are excited for you to Raise Your Hand to be the change agent our communities need.

No GRE

Test Required

Fall, Spring & Summer

Start Dates

Only 15

Credits to Completion

Selected
Program Highlights
Financing Your Certificate
Eligibility
Application Requirements

The ARASL program includes:

  • 18 credit administrator certificate with estimated completion in 3 semesters
  • Course instructors whose work is guided by AU’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center 
  • Executive style (weekend and summer) is designed for full-time working professionals
  • Course instructors bring policy, research, and PreK-12 school experience
  • Clinical experience under the mentorship of an expereinced administrator
  • Course work that is aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) program standards

  • Completers are eligible for state licensure in Washington DC and other states

Certificate students are elligible for Federal financial aid, applicable AU partnership discounts, and possibly additional scholarships. 

Please reach out to edpolicy@american.edu as soon as possible to plan your course of study. 

Open to individuals with a:

  • Master's degree or currently working on a master's degree from an accredited institution;
  • Certification as a teacher or education professional (e.g., counselor, psychologist); and
  • A minimum of at least two years of school-based teaching, instructional leadership or pupil services experience. Substitute teaching experience does not apply.

Current AU MEd students must apply and be accepted to the certificate program in order to be eligible for Administrator certification.

Students New to the AU School of Education:

Option 1: Take individual courses. Students can select individual courses to take at their own pace.

Option 2: Take full cohort model beginning in the summer. This track leads to licensure in DC.

AU SOE Alumni from the MEd Program

Option 1: Take individual courses. Students can select individual courses to take at their own pace.

Option 2: Take full cohort model starting summer or fall (able to waive 2 courses). This track leads to certification.

Current AU SOE MEd Students

Option 1: Take individual courses. Students can select individual courses to take at their own pace.

Option 2: Take ARASL courses during your MEd course of study. Please reach out to Emma LaParade at laparade@american.edu as soon as possible to plan your course of study. 

All students applying to the program are required to submit:

  • Online application
  • 1 letter of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose focused on antiracism in education (500 words)
  • Un-official transcripts
  • Resume GPA supplemental statement (If GPA is under 3.0)

See full Admissions & Degree Requirements.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Fall 2024

Priority Deadline: June 14, 2024
Final Deadline: July 19, 2024

No. Only students interested in earning an administrator certification will need to apply to the program.

If you wish to take one or two courses, follow the steps below:

  1. E-mail ARASL@american.edu with your: name, preferred e-mail, and courses of interest
  2. We will help you to sign up for the course(s) and guide you on where to pay tuition
  3. If/when you are ready to join the full certificate program you may apply and begin the remaining set of coursework/internship

18 credit hours. Estimated completion time: 3 semesters.

No. We require a statement of purpose, resume, transcript(s), and one letter of recommendation.

*For students with one of our partnership programs, one or more letters may be waived, as well as the application fee.

Yes, the program is executive style (weekend and summer), designed for full-time working professionals.

  • A minimum of two years of school-based experience as PreK-12 educator (teacher, instructional coach, guidance counselor, social worker, psychologists). Substitute teaching experience does not apply.
  • A master's degree from an accredited institution, or master's degree in progress at American University's School of Education.

Current master's students in the American University School of Education's MEd program may take classes through the certificate program. Please reach out to Emma LaParade at laparade@american.edu to discuss your course schedule.

  • EDU 631 - Educational Leadership & Organizational Change
  • EDU 636 - Education Law and Policy
  • EDU 683 - Curriculum Design for the Classroom
  • EDU 687 - Instructional Leadership and Teacher Support
  • EDU 694 - School Improvement, Organization and Administration
  • EDU 691 - Internship

Program Name: Antiracist Administration Supervision and Leadership Certificate Program

This program is designed to be completed in 12 months.

This program will cost $23,848 (partnership discount) and $33,588 (non-partnership rate) if completed within normal time.  There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting but may have changed. 

Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with [$XX, XXX] of debt. The program has very few graduates to report median debt. 

This program is approved by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) and CAEP. While the program meets the certification requirements for DC, the School of Education cannot guarantee that the coursework will meet state credentialing requirements outside of DC. Candidates who are employed in states other than DC must confirm with their state credentialing agency what the certification requirements are for their state and whether there is reciprocity with DC.

For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Contact Us!

AU Sign

Email ARASL@american.edu with any questions.

Attend an Open House:

  • December 9, 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET: REGISTER
  • January 8, 2025, 6:00-7:00 p.m. ET: REGISTER

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