Leaders Drive Equity in Education A Virtual Certificate
Among today’s greatest challenges in the United States is the need to create more equitable, antiracist schools. The failure to meet this need for all of our children - regardless of racial, cultural, economic, or linguistic background - widens the opportunity gap between those who thrive and those who struggle.
American University’s fully virtual 18-credit post-masters graduate certificate in Antiracist Administration, Supervision, and Leadership (ARASL) prepares education leaders with the required content and knowledge, as well as the necessary mindset shift, to dismantle racist practices and policies in classrooms, schools, and districts.
The executive-style, fully virtual program will be offered in different formats to meet the needs of working professionals. Upon completion of the certificate, graduates will be eligible for state leadership certification in Washington D.C.
This program provides an exciting learning experience that combines rigorous academic work with actual practice. We are excited for you to Raise Your Hand to be the change agent our communities need.
Open to individuals with a:
- Master's degree or currently working on a master's degree from an accredited institution;
- Certification as a teacher or education professional (e.g., counselor, psychologist); and
- A minimum of at least two years of school-based teaching, instructional leadership or pupil services experience. Substitute teaching experience does not apply.
Current AU MEd students must apply and be accepted to the certificate program in order to be eligible for Administrator certification.
All students applying to the program are required to submit:
- Online application
- 1 letter of recommendation
- Statement of Purpose focused on antiracism in education (500 words)
- Un-official transcripts
- Resume GPA supplemental statement (If GPA is under 3.0)
See full Admissions & Degree Requirements.
The ARASL program includes:
- 18 credit administrator certificate that can be completed in 3 semesters
- Course instructors whose work is guided by AU’s Antiracist Research and Policy Center
- Cohort model with classes designed for full-time professionals
- Mix of faculty and expert practitioners who bring policy, research, and PreK-12 school experience
- Clinical Internship Experience that applies learning to practice
- Course work that is aligned to the National Educational Leadership Preparation (NELP) program standards
New Student to AU School of Ed.
Option 1: Take individual courses. Students can select individual courses to take at their own pace.
Option 2: Take full cohort model beginning in the summer. This track leads to licensure in DC.
Alumni - MEd Program
Option 1: Take individual courses. Students can select individual courses to take at their own pace.
Option 2: Take full cohort model starting summer or fall (able to waive 2 courses). This track leads to certification.
Current MEd Students
Option 1: Take individual courses. Students can select individual courses to take at their own pace.
Option 2: Take ARASL courses during your MEd course of study. Please reach out to Emma LaParade at laparade@american.edu as soon as possible to plan your course of study.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Fall 2023
Priority Deadline: June 9, 2023
Final Deadline: July 7, 2023
Spring 2024
Priority Deadline: October 13, 2023
Final Deadline: November 17, 2023
No. Only students interested in earning an administrator certification will need to apply to the program.
If you wish to take one or two courses, follow the steps below:
- E-mail ARASL@american.edu with your: name, preferred e-mail and courses you are interested in taking
- We will help you to sign up for the course and guide you on where to pay tuition
- If/ when you are ready to join the full certificate program you can apply and begin the remaining set of coursework/internship
18 credit hours. Most students complete the program in 3 semesters.
No. We require a statement of purpose, resume, transcript(s), and one letter of recommendation.
*For students with one of our partnership programs, one or more letters may be waived, as well as the application fee.
Yes, the program was designed to accommodate students who work full-time. Classes are held on weekends (Friday evenings and Saturdays) and over the summer.
- 2 years of PK-12 building-level experience
- A master's degree
Current master's students in our MEd program can take classes through the certificate program. Please reach out to Emma LaParade at laparade@american.edu to discuss your course schedule.
- EDU 631 - Educational Leadership & Organizational Change
- EDU 636 - Education Law and Policy
- EDU 683 - Curriculum Design for the Classroom
- EDU 687 - Instructional Leadership and Teacher Support
- EDU 694 - School Improvement, Organization and Administration
- EDU 691 - Internship
Program Name: Anti-Racist Administration Supervision and Leadership Certificate Program
This program is designed to be completed in 12 months.
This program will cost $23,848 (partnership discount) and $33,588 (non-partnership rate) if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with [$XX, XXX] of debt. The program has very few graduates to report median debt.
This program is approved by the District of Columbia Office of the State Superintendent (OSSE) and CAEP. While the program meets the certification requirements for DC, the School of Education cannot guarantee that the coursework will meet state credentialing requirements outside of DC. Candidates who are employed in states other than DC must confirm with their state credentialing agency what the certification requirements are for their state and whether there is reciprocity with DC.
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings Jr. Joins the SOE's Faculty
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings Jr., Former Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent, became the first executive-in-residence and plays a key role in elevating the school’s Antiracist Administration, Supervision, and Leadership (ARASL) certificate program. Read more about him and his new position here.
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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism at SOE
The faculty, staff, and students of the School of Education are committed to cultivating a vibrant and richly diverse, inclusive, equitable, and antiracist learning community.