Become a Transformational School or District Leader

UConn’s nationally ranked Education Administration Programs, housed within the Neag School of Education, are designed for current educators in Connecticut looking to advance to principal, superintendent, or other school- and district-wide leadership roles.

Earn your 092 or 093 certification while learning among the best at the one of the top 25 Educational Administration programs in the country, a top-ranked public graduate school of education, and one of the nation's top public universities. Both programs prepare leaders that Connecticut’s schools and communities need and deserve, and ensure participants are ready to face today’s educational challenges on day one.

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Programs

Administrator Preparation

The University of Connecticut Administrator Preparation Program (UCAPP) is designed to prepare qualified and capable school leaders who promote equity and excellence in schools throughout Connecticut.

After two years of part-time study, graduates are awarded the Sixth-Year Diploma and are eligible for certification endorsement as an Intermediate Administrator (092) in the state of Connecticut. UCAPP’s signature cohort model creates an invaluable network for students, who can choose from several cohort locations across the state.

 

Learn More about UCAPP

Executive Leadership

The Executive Leadership Program (ELP) is a transformative, 13-month opportunity for school administrators who are ready to acquire the additional skills and understanding needed for the top leadership positions in a school district. Grounded in research and best practices, participants learn from experienced superintendents in a collaborative cohort model and a rich internship experience with a mentor superintendent.

Upon completion, program graduates qualify for the Connecticut superintendent’s certificate (093). Over 70 current Connecticut superintendents have completed UConn’s ELP program to date, benefiting from its collaborative cohort model and standards of excellence.

 

Learn More about ELP

Recent Department News

Luz Burgos-López
Neag School Doctoral Student Receives Social Justice Scholarship and Inaugural Award

Luz Burgos-López, who is also an assistant dean of students at UConn, is a 2024-2025 recipient of the David Putter Scholarship Fund and its first-ever Brock-Ransby Award

Young student using mobile phone on stairs outdoors
Addressing Student Technology and Social Media Use in Schools: Recommendations for School District Leaders

Researchers with the Neag School’s Center for Education Policy Analysis, Research, and Evaluation (CEPARE) prepared the following research brief during Phase 1 of their Social Media and Digital Literacy Study

Kelli Bates standing in front of Olympic rings in Paris, France.
10 Questions With Alumna Kelli Bates, Former Student-Athlete Working at Paris Olympics

Kelli Bates ’19 ED, a games operations specialist with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, says her UConn experiences have been instrumental in helping her navigate the field of sport management

Testimonials

Amanda LoStimolo

Amanda LoStimolo, ELA Resource Teacher

"After a year with UCAPP, I can honestly say that this program has gone so far beyond what I expected; the instructors, coaches, coursework and core assessments take educational theory and push us to apply that learning to actively produce initiatives that strengthen our school communities. ... I have no doubt that the relationships I’ve built with classmates, coaches and instructors in this program will be ones that last a lifetime. I can say with confidence that I feel prepared to step up as a leader in my school and district as a result of UCAPP."

Mike Dunn, High School Principal 

"Having consulted with a variety of trusted educational leaders with whom I've been lucky to work, I chose to apply for UConn's Executive Leadership Program due to its reputation for the highest quality instruction and unique blend of cutting-edge leadership theory with practical application. The Executive Leadership Internship itself provides rich and varied opportunities to apply the lenses from leadership frameworks and theoretical readings in authentic settings where real leaders work through real problems to affect systemic change for students."

Mike Dunn