Specializations · New York
Educational Leadership Pathways in New York
Educational Leadership in New York is a graduate award, not Administrator Certificate (SBL/SDL titles remain available during transition). This table lists 155 institutions with matching IPEDS completions. Completions are not approval to recommend candidates for the license. Use the New York 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 processRequirements verified Sep 7, 2026 against the NYSED Office of Teaching InitiativesTitle II data: AY 2023–24 cycle
How this degree relates to the New York principal credential
The New York license is Administrator Certificate (SBL/SDL titles remain available during transition). 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.
New York’s leadership titles changed mid-decade in a way that still leaves two vocabularies in circulation. On January 29, 2025, the Office of Teaching Initiatives began issuing an Administrator Certificate that covers building- and district-level leadership except superintendent-titled roles, plus a separate Superintendent Extension for those roles. School Building Leader and School District Leader certificates were not abolished overnight. They remain issuable during a long transition. The New York City Public Schools career page states that SBL and SDL will not be issued with effective dates after September 31, 2031—an official NYC wording that candidates should read as a sunset for new issuances, not as a retroactive cancellation of certificates already held.
Until a successor administrator examination is operational, the testing stack that programs still prepare for is NYSTCE’s School Building Leader assessment plus, for anyone whose pathway is dated on or after May 1, 2014, the Educating All Students test. People who completed classroom certification before EAS existed sometimes assume leadership applications inherit that exemption. NYSED’s administrative-certificate rules do not work that way: the May 1, 2014 EAS line is tied to the leadership application, not to the year the candidate first became a teacher.
Institutions with Educational Leadership programs in New York
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 Administrator Certificate (SBL/SDL titles remain available during transition).
| Institution | CIP | Award level |
|---|---|---|
| Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Adelphi University (Garden City, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Bank Street College of Education (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Bank Street College of Education (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Bank Street College of Education (New York, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Bank Street College of Education (New York, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Bank Street College of Education (New York, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| Binghamton University (Vestal, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Canisius University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Canisius University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Canisius University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Canisius University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Canisius University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Canisius University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (Staten Island, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (Staten Island, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| College of Staten Island CUNY (Staten Island, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Columbia University in the City of New York (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Columbia University in the City of New York (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College (New York, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Master’s |
| CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Master’s |
| CUNY Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY City College (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| CUNY City College (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY City College (New York, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center (New York, NY) | 13.0410 Urban Education and Leadership | Doctorate (research) |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center (New York, NY) | 13.0410 Urban Education and Leadership | Master’s |
| CUNY Hunter College (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| CUNY Hunter College (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Hunter College (New York, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Master’s |
| CUNY Hunter College (New York, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Lehman College (Bronx, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| CUNY Lehman College (Bronx, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Lehman College (Bronx, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Queens College (Queens, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| CUNY Queens College (Queens, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| CUNY Queens College (Queens, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| CUNY Queens College (Queens, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Master’s |
| D'Youville University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Empire State University (Saratoga Springs, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Fordham University (Bronx, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Fordham University (Bronx, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Fordham University (Bronx, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Iona University (New Rochelle, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (professional) |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Master’s |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Long Island University (Brookville, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Long Island University (Brookville, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Long Island University (Brookville, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Long Island University (Brookville, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Long Island University (Brookville, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Doctorate (research) |
| Manhattan University (Riverdale, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Manhattan University (Riverdale, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Manhattan University (Riverdale, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Manhattan University (Riverdale, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Manhattanville University (Purchase, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Manhattanville University (Purchase, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Manhattanville University (Purchase, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Manhattanville University (Purchase, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Mercy University (Dobbs Ferry, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Mercy University (Dobbs Ferry, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| Mercy University (Dobbs Ferry, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| Molloy University (Rockville Centre, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Molloy University (Rockville Centre, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Molloy University (Rockville Centre, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| New York University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| New York University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Niagara University (Niagara University, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Master’s |
| Niagara University (Niagara University, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Niagara University (Niagara University, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| Niagara University (Niagara University, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Pace University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Pace University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Russell Sage College (Troy, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| St Bonaventure University (Saint Bonaventure, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| St Bonaventure University (Saint Bonaventure, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| St Lawrence University (Canton, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| St. John Fisher University (Rochester, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| St. John Fisher University (Rochester, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| St. John's University-New York (Queens, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| St. John's University-New York (Queens, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| St. John's University-New York (Queens, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Master’s |
| St. John's University-New York (Queens, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| St. Joseph's University-New York (Brooklyn, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| St. Joseph's University-New York (Brooklyn, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| St. Thomas Aquinas College (Sparkill, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Cortland (Cortland, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Cortland (Cortland, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Cortland (Cortland, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Cortland (Cortland, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Cortland (Cortland, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| State University of New York at New Paltz (New Paltz, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Master’s |
| State University of New York at New Paltz (New Paltz, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at New Paltz (New Paltz, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Oswego (Oswego, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Oswego (Oswego, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Oswego (Oswego, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh (Plattsburgh, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY at Fredonia (Fredonia, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY at Fredonia (Fredonia, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY Brockport (Brockport, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| SUNY Brockport (Brockport, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0410 Urban Education and Leadership | Master’s |
| SUNY Buffalo State University (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| SUNY College at Potsdam (Potsdam, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| The College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| The College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Touro University (New York, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (professional) |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0404 Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University at Albany (Albany, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (professional) |
| University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Doctorate (research) |
| University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
| University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0408 Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0411 Superintendency and Educational System Administration | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University at Buffalo (Buffalo, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Post-master’s / EdS |
| University of Mount Saint Vincent (Bronx, NY) | 13.0410 Urban Education and Leadership | Master’s |
| University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Doctorate (research) |
| University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Master’s |
| University of Rochester (Rochester, NY) | 13.0499 Educational Administration and Supervision, Other | Post-master’s / EdS |
| Wagner College (Staten Island, NY) | 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General | Master’s |
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.