• Introduction
• Recognition
• Curriculum
• Course Delivery Format
• Admission
• Graduation Requirement
• Articulation to the Master of Education (M.Ed.) Specialization in School Administration

Introduction

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals targets practicing and aspiring principals who wish to prepare themselves to lead U.A.E. schools of the 21st century. As the quality of a principal affects the satisfaction of teachers, perceptions of parents about a school, and the academic performance of a school, the program is designed to support development of skills necessary for leadership in high achieving schools.

The goal of the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals is to prepare school principals in the United Arab Emirates to lead in a time of educational development and reform for purposes of increasing student success and achievement.

By completion of the program of study, graduates are able to:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret educational data and determine how it should be used for school improvement;

• Manage information efficiently and effectively using appropriate technologies;

• Use a variety of supervisory models to improve teaching and learning;

• Assess student progress by using a variety of techniques and interpret standardized test data;

• Develop and evaluate curriculum and instruction that is appropriate for varied learning styles and specific to student needs;

• Identify and apply appropriate professional development programs for school staff;

• Identify student and family conditions that influence learning and develop programs that involve families and the community in the school;

• Establish operational plans and processes to fulfill strategic goals, using practical applications;

• Implement appropriate management techniques and group processes;

• Develop an efficient budget planning process; and

• Understand the changing role of principalship and its role in educational reform in the United Arab Emirates.

Recognition

Zayed University's graduate programs are approved by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. As Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Zayed University's graduate programs are internationally recognized for further education and employment in private and public sector organizations.

Furthermore, the College of Education is a candidate for:

• NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education), based in the U.S.A.

Curriculum

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals curriculum consists of the following 6 courses:

• EDC 501 Social Context of Schools in the U.A.E.
• EDC 502 Establishing a Framework for Successful Schools
• EDC 651 Leading Effective Schools 
• EDC 634 Curriculum Leadership
• EDC 638 Guiding and Analyzing Effective Teaching
• EDC 637 Human Performance and Resource Management

Course Delivery Format

Each of the courses includes face-to-face instruction in addition to out-of-class activities contextualized in the student's work assignment. The courses will be highly practical and supported by a solid theory base in adult learning, leadership, and administration. All courses are based on 15 contact hours per credit.

The Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals is delivered over a period of 12 months at Zayed University located in Abu Dhabi and/or Dubai.

For more information on the admission deadline, please visit the Key Dates section of our website.

Admission

• Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.
• Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher from an accredited university.
• IELTS score of 5.50 (with minimum sub scores no less than 5.0 in reading and writing) or TOEFL score of 550 (CBT 213 - IBT 79).

For more information on the admission requirements, application procedure and program cost, please visit the Admissions and Fees section of our website.

Graduation Requirements

Graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a graduate certificate.

Articulation to the Master of Education (M.Ed) Specialization in School Administration

Students successfully completing the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals with a "B" or higher grade in all courses, will be permitted to transfer 4 course credits to the Master of Education (M.Ed) Specialization in School Administration program. However, admission into the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Professional Study in School Leadership for Principals does not guarantee admission into the Master of Education (M.Ed) Specialization in School Administration program. Students, if admitted, must request transfer of completed graduate certificate course credits to the master's degree program.