Specializations · Alabama
Educational Leadership Pathways in Alabama
Educational Leadership in Alabama is a graduate award, not Class A Professional Leadership Certificate in Instructional Leadership (P–12). This table lists 35 institutions with matching IPEDS completions. Completions are not approval to recommend candidates for the license. Use the Alabama principal checklist for the credential.
Educational leadership is graduate study aimed at school and district leadership roles. Programs commonly sit inside an M.Ed., EdS, or EdD. Completing a leadership degree is not the same as earning a principal or administrator credential. States issue that license after an approved preparation sequence, experience, and any required exams.
Reviewed by Brittnie Vargas, School principal, M.Ed.Editorial processHow this degree relates to the Alabama principal credential
The Alabama license is Class A Professional Leadership Certificate in Instructional Leadership (P–12). Read the principal checklist for steps, exams, and the board source — this page is the IPEDS inventory for Educational Leadership, not a second copy of that checklist.
In Alabama the gate is admission, not graduation. Rule 290-3-3-.34 requires unconditional admission to a Class A Instructional Leadership program before any instructional leadership course is taken, and admission is selective by rule. Candidates need a valid professional educator certificate; three full years (or six full semesters) of full-time P–12 educational experience including at least one full year of classroom teaching; a portfolio with three recommendation letters, the most recent performance appraisal, and evidence of improving student learning and leadership potential; an interview before a committee of P–12 leaders and faculty; and a criminal history background check. Admission to graduate school is explicitly not the same thing.
School counselors and library media specialists have a defined route in. A certified counselor or library media specialist with four full years (eight full semesters) of full-time work in that role, plus a written recommendation from the current employing superintendent, meets the experience requirement without a year of classroom teaching. The program itself is at least 30 semester hours of graduate instructional leadership credit not already used for another certificate or degree, completed with a 3.0 GPA. It requires field or clinical experience in every leadership course and an uninterrupted residency equal to 10 full school days while students are present. A Survey of Special Education course is required if not previously completed. Educators who already hold a Class A Professional Educator Certificate may qualify for a reduced-hour option of at least 18 semester hours.
Institutions with Educational Leadership programs in Alabama
Rows come from IPEDS awards by CIP and award level. This extract reported no completion counts, so none are shown. An institution that conferred awards is not automatically approved to recommend candidates for Class A Professional Leadership Certificate in Instructional Leadership (P–12).
| Institution | CIP | Award level |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University (Normal, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Auburn University (Auburn, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (other) |
| Auburn University (Auburn, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Auburn University (Auburn, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Auburn University at Montgomery (Montgomery, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Auburn University at Montgomery (Montgomery, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Jacksonville State University (Jacksonville, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Samford University (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Samford University (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Samford University (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Samford University (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Samford University (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Strayer University-Alabama (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Doctorate (research) |
| Troy University (Troy, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Troy University (Troy, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham (Birmingham, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University of Montevallo (Montevallo, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University of Montevallo (Montevallo, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University of North Alabama (Florence, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University of North Alabama (Florence, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| University of South Alabama (Mobile, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University of West Alabama (Livingston, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University of West Alabama (Livingston, AL) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
Frequently asked questions
Is educational leadership the same as principal certification?
No. Educational leadership is an academic concentration. Principal certification is a state-issued administrative credential. Many candidates earn both through the same approved program, but you must satisfy the state’s credential rules, not only complete graduate courses.
Which degree should I pursue for school leadership?
Many educators start with an M.Ed. in educational leadership. Some continue to an EdS for post-master’s depth, or an EdD for terminal practitioner study. Match the degree to your state’s credential checklist and your timeline, do not choose based on ranking lists.
Can I complete educational leadership online?
Many programs offer online or hybrid coursework, but internships and field experiences are usually local. Confirm that the program can place you in an approved setting in the state where you intend to hold an administrative license.
Which leadership exam will I take?
The exam is set by the state board. This site sources SLLA 6990, TExES 268 and PASL, FELE, CalAPA/CPACE, PAL, OAE 015, and other state instruments on the SLLA page and each principal checklist. Confirm the current test code and cut score on the board testing page.