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 six 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

The pope looks down on St. Peter's Square with an Olympic athlete in the foreground.
The Catholic Church is Using the Paris Olympics to Engage Young People

But several popes have already promoted sports as a way to teach Christian values

Gentry Building
Neag School Alumni Board Names Recipients of its 2024 Scholarship

Graduate students John Burrell, Joshua Sukumar, and Damiao Zoe Xu are recipients of the fund, which was created as a way to invest in future generations of Neag School students

Charles B. Gentry Building
25 Years as Neag: Improving Access to Education Through Scholarships

The Ray Neag Endowment Fund and the Neag Foundation Scholarship for the Neag School IB/M Program support dozens of students each year, and have inspired many other donors to establish scholarship funds as well

Testimonials

Mislal Andom-Lake

Mislal Andom-Lake, Special Education Teacher

"UCAPP consistently impresses me with its practical approach, allowing me to apply leadership skills in my home and mentor schools. Though core assessments are challenging, they prove instrumental in readying me for diverse school leadership responsibilities, always prioritizing students. Support from my coach and mentor school enriches my experience. ... This UCAPP journey has been transformative, nurturing my aspirations for district-level leadership in special education or equity. I enthusiastically recommend this program to aspiring school leaders."

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