Winston School of Education and Social Policy

Online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

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Online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership

Gain advanced skills, in-depth training and credentials for school leadership licensure in Massachusetts.

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Finish in as few as 18 months. Apply by today!

Merrimack College Graduate Virtual Info Session

Graduate Virtual Information Session

Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more about our graduate programs, hear directly from program directors and chat with admissions representatives.

CAGS in Educational Leadership: Why Merrimack College?

Merrimack’s online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership offers targeted professional training for teachers, principals, district-level administrators and other educators who already hold a master’s degree. Our educational leadership certificate excels for its:

Customized curriculum.

You can tailor Merrimack’s online educational leadership CAGS to focus on administration, teaching, counseling, curriculum, or any other aspect of school leadership. The program includes separate licensure and non-licensure tracks, as well as optional Massachusetts Performance Assessment for Leaders (PAL) preparation.

Robust field experience.

If you’re seeking licensure, the CAGS in educational leadership includes a 500-hour supervised practicum in a Massachusetts public school. In addition, all students complete a self-designed capstone project involving in-depth research or fieldwork.

Committed faculty.

You’ll learn from highly accomplished, attentive educational leaders and academicians. Merrimack’s high-touch online format encourages close collaboration, so you can build strong relationships with faculty and peers even as you work independently.

Transformational impact.

Like all of Merrimack College’s education graduate programs, the CAGS in educational leadership empowers educators to powerfully influence the communities they serve. You’ll gain the ability to enact reforms, generate progress and achieve transformation at all levels, from individual students to entire districts.

Convenience and affordability.

The online CAGS in educational leadership is designed for working professionals with full-time jobs. You can take up to 24 months to finish the program, working at a comfortable pace that fits your schedule and your budget. Upon admission to the educational leadership graduate program, you’ll automatically be considered for a scholarship based on financial need and academic merit.

Program Format

Online

Scholarships

Learn More

Start Term

Summer 2021
Apply by May 17, 2021
Fall 2021 - Apply by Aug 2021 (TBA)

Develop Relevant, Practical Educational Leadership Skills

Merrimack’s online CAGS in educational leadership equips you to address challenges and solve problems. You’ll explore the most current issues facing educators in Massachusetts and nationwide, acquiring practical tools to improve student performance, teacher effectiveness and school- or district-level outcomes.

All students will complete core coursework in advanced educational leadership, collaborative leadership, educational policy & law, and engagement of family and community stakeholders. Depending on your career objectives, you can build additional expertise in educational leadership topics such as:

School Finance and Operations
Counseling
Teacher development

School improvement
Diverse learners

Mental health
Data gathering and analysis

Take the Next Step in Your Educational Leadership Career

The educational leadership CAGS is intended for experienced professionals who seek initial licensure in educational leadership, as well as licensed educational leaders who desire an advanced or specialized leadership role. The program includes a separate track for students who seek only to complete Massachusetts Performance Assessment for Leaders (PAL) requirements in preparation for administrative licensure.

Depending on your educational role and level of experience, the CAGS in educational leadership can provide a foundation for a broad range of careers, including:

Principal
Assistant principal
Department head
Teacher leader

Curriculum director
Head counselor
District coordinator
Special education director

Program evaluator
Assessment director
Educational researcher

Merrimack College Jessica McCarthy, Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs for the School of Educati...

Want to Learn More about the CAGS in Educational Leadership?

Contact the Merrimack College Office of Graduate Admission at graduate@merrimack.edu.

Schedule an Informational Call with the Assistant Dean

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Here’s how to get more information about Merrimack College’s online Certificate of Advanced Educational Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership.

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Scholarships

All students admitted to the educational leadership CAGS program are automatically considered for scholarships.

Learn More

How to Apply

Create your own account. Apply to start your Certificate of Advanced Educational Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership today.

Create Your Account

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<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22014_merri4.rev.1604071347.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4991-merrimack-celebrates-comfort-dog-merris-1st" title="Merrimack Celebrates Comfort Dog Merri’s 1st Birthday" aria-label="Merrimack Celebrates Comfort Dog Merri’s 1st Birthday"><h3>Merrimack Celebrates Comfort Dog Merri’s 1st Birthday</h3></a> <p>Faculty, staff and students wished a happy first birthday to Merrimack’s comfort dog Merri at a socially distanced outdoor celebration in her honor. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/22014_merri4.rev.1604071347.jpg" alt="Merrimack's comfort dog Merri just turned one and enjoyed a birthday celebration outside of the Sakowich Campus Center. Follow Merri on Instagram."/></div></div></div></div></div></section>
<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21951_MerrimackVotes.rev.1603303801.jpg'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4977-merrimack-students-learn-about-the-electoral" title="Merrimack Students Learn About the Electoral Process" aria-label="Merrimack Students Learn About the Electoral Process"><h3>Merrimack Students Learn About the Electoral Process</h3></a> <p>The Office of Civic and Community Engagement at Merrimack is teaching students about the United States electoral process by providing them with the tools they need to make informed decisions this election season. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21951_MerrimackVotes.rev.1603303801.jpg" alt=""Many of Merrimack’s students will be voting in their first election,” said Mary McHugh, executive director of civic and community engagement. "/></div></div></div></div></div></section>
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<section class="content-fluid-slider-container content-fluid dark section" style="background:url('/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21864_New_Faculty_-_News_Story_Thumbnail.rev.1602092434.png'); background-size:cover;"><div class="container"><div class="row no-gutters"><div class="col-lg-9"><span class="label">Office of Communications and Marketing</span><a class="hover-yellow" href="/live/news/4972-new-faculty-join-the-ranks-at-merrimack-college" title="New Faculty Join the Ranks at Merrimack College" aria-label="New Faculty Join the Ranks at Merrimack College"><h3>New Faculty Join the Ranks at Merrimack College</h3></a> <p>Continuing its commitment to provide an enriched academic experience for students, Merrimack welcomed 13 new faculty members to its ranks this Fall. </p></div><div class="col-lg-3"><div class="d-table h-100 "><div class="d-table-cell align-middle"><img src="/live/image/gid/67/width/1000/height/500/crop/1/src_region/0,0,1200,670/ignore_cropper/1/21864_New_Faculty_-_News_Story_Thumbnail.rev.1602092434.png" alt="New Faculty Join the Ranks at Merrimack College"/></div></div></div></div></div></section>

Online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)

Online Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Educational Leadership

Finish in as few as 18 months. Apply by today!

Graduate Virtual Information Session

Thursday, December 3, 2020, at 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

CAGS in Educational Leadership: Why Merrimack College?

Customized curriculum.

Robust field experience.

Committed faculty.

Transformational impact.

Convenience and affordability.

Program Format

Scholarships

Start Term

Develop Relevant, Practical Educational Leadership Skills

Take the Next Step in Your Educational Leadership Career

Want to Learn More about the CAGS in Educational Leadership?

Send Me Info

Scholarships

How to Apply

Request More Info

Visit Our Campus

Apply Now!