SBL and SDL

Cupola atop a building on the Molloy University campus

Molloy University offers School Business Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) programs for students who wish to earn either certification. Through Molloy's Educational Leadership department, both programs feature experienced faculty, invaluable fieldwork opportunities, and a commitment to applying their new skills and knowledge to diverse learning communities locally and in the broader community. 

Information on both programs can be found below, with the SBL program listed first, followed by the SDL program information.

School Building Leader (SBL) Professional Certificate

Molloy University’s Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate Program for School Building Leader (SBL) certification is a 24-credit program that develops leadership in the areas of curriculum, assessment, administration, and supervision. The program focuses on providing a strong foundation to apply knowledge, concepts, and theory into practice. Through diverse and comprehensive experiences candidates will be exposed to strategies, theories, and fieldwork necessary to create and develop skills to address the challenges of our diverse learning communities and includes experiences in districts serving students at different developmental levels and with a variety of characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds. Up to three courses, if they meet the content of our courses and have been taken within the past 5 years, may be transferred from other leadership programs.  EDU 5680 (Leadership Perspectives: Theory and Practice) is required by all incoming students and may not be transferred from another program.    

Course Sequence and Format

The first course required for the certificate program is EDU 5680: Leadership Theory and Practice. EDU 5680 must be successfully completed (B or better) to continue on in the program.  During the first semester, this course may be taken with an additional course.  All courses are taught in an online format, with four mandatory synchronous sessions (via Zoom) per course and the remaining sessions asynchronous.  

Admissions Application Process

To be considered for the School Building Leader Program pay the Application Fee and apply as follows:

  • An online application, including resume and goals statement. 
  • Master’s Degree. 
  • Official transcripts from both undergraduate and graduate schools attended.
  • Two letters of reference, one must be from a school building leader or direct supervisor, in your building, who holds an SBL Certification.
  • Attendance at a Zoom orientation with the coordinator of the program and/or an individual interview. The orientation features a review of the program and a question and answer period.
  • Note: New York State requires a minimum of verified 3 years full-time teaching or pupil personnel services experience in an accredited N(3K)-12 setting is required to earn an SBL certificate.

 

Required Courses (24 credits):

EDU 5680

Leadership Perspectives: Theory and Practice

3

EDU 5682

Educational Leadership for the Improvement of Instruction

3

EDU 5684

Ethical, Moral and Legal Aspects in School Leadership

3

EDU 5686

Curriculum and Instruction: Design for Learning

3

EDU 5688

School -based Administration and Management

3

EDU 5690

Data and Program Analysis to Improve Teaching and Learning

3

EDU 5692

School Finance

3

EDU 5694

Internship for School Building Leaders

3

Total Credit Hours: 24

School Building Leader Courses and Molloy's Ed.D. for Diverse Learning Communities

Candidates interested in applying credits towards the Molloy University Ed.D. for Diverse Learning Communities must apply to the doctoral program and be accepted. If accepted into the program, certain courses may be transferred into the Molloy doctoral program. 

New! School Building Leadership Test Preparation Program
The School Building Leadership (SBL) Preparation Program at Molloy University is a three-week online course designed to help aspiring school leaders succeed on the NYS SBL Certification Exam. Click here for further information on the course and how to register.

Further Information
If you have any questions or would like to see about offering the programs within your district, please contact Claire Ficarra-Gohn, Administrative Assistant, School of Education and Human Services, Molloy University at: (516) 323-3113 or by email at: cficarra-gohn@molloy.edu

School District Leader (SDL) Professional Certificate

The Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate Program for School District Leader (SDL) certification is a 15-credit program that develops leadership in the areas of strategic planning, governance, compliance and supervision. The program focuses on providing a strong foundation to apply knowledge, concepts, and theory into practice. Through diverse and comprehensive experiences candidates will be exposed to strategies, theories, and fieldwork necessary to develop skills to address the challenges of our diverse learning communities and includes experiences in districts serving students at different developmental levels and with a variety of characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds. Up to two courses, if they meet the content of our courses and have been taken within the past 5 years, may be transferred from other leadership programs.  

Course Format

All courses are taught in an online format using Canvas, with four mandatory synchronous sessions (via Zoom) per course and the remaining sessions asynchronous with assignment/discussion due dates.

Admissions Application Process

To be considered for the School District Leader Program pay the Application Fee and apply as follows:

 Candidates new to the program or who did not complete SBL at Molloy:

  • An online application including resume and goals statement.
  • Master’s Degree
  • Two letters of reference, one must be from a school district leader or direct supervisor in your district, who holds a School District Certification
  • An official transcript from graduate school(s) attended with 45 graduate credits exclusive of any SDL courses
  • Attendance at a Zoom orientation with the coordinator of the program and/or an individual interview. The orientation features a review of the program and a question-and-answer period.
  • Note: New York State requires a minimum of verified 3 years full-time teaching or pupil personnel services experience in an accredited N(3K)-12 setting is required to earn an SDL certificate.

  Candidates who have completed the School District Leader Certification at Molloy: 

  • An online application
  • One letter of reference from a school district leader or direct supervisor in your district who holds a School District Certification
  • An OPTIONAL Attendance at a Zoom orientation with the coordinator of the program and/or an individual interview. The orientation features a review of the program and a question-and-answer period.

 

Requirements

Prerequisite for this program: Master's degree and 45 graduate credits. 

Required Courses (15 credits):

EDU 5700

Strategic Planning and Organizational Change

3

EDU 5702

District Leader Governance and Policy

3

EDU 5704

District Resources and Compliance Administration

3

EDU 5706

District Educational Programs: Administration and Supervision for Equity and Excellence

3

EDU 5708

Internship for School District Leaders

3

Total Credit Hours: 15

New! School Building Leadership Test Preparation Program
The School Building Leadership (SBL) Preparation Program at Molloy University is a three-week online course designed to help aspiring school leaders succeed on the NYS SBL Certification Exam. Click here for further information on the course and how to register.

School District Leader Courses and Molloy's Ed.D. for Diverse Learning Communities

Candidates interested in applying credits towards the Molloy University Ed.D. for Diverse Learning Communities must apply to the doctoral program and be accepted. If accepted into the program, certain courses may be transferred into the Molloy doctoral program. 

If you any questions or would like to see about offering the programs within your district, please contact Claire Ficarra-Gohn, Administrative Assistant, School of Education and Human Services, Molloy University at: (516) 323-3113 or by email at: cficarra-gohn@molloy.edu.