St. Lawrence University offers certificate program at Paul Smith’s College

CANTON, N.Y. — The education-leadership graduate program at St. Lawrence University is offering its school-building leader certification program at Paul Smith’s College.

Graduate students pursuing initial certification as a school-building leader through St. Lawrence can take classes at the Paul Smith’s campus in Brighton, N.Y. in Franklin County.

The program includes a cohort model “created to foster personal and professional growth,” St. Lawrence University (SLU) said in a news release.

William Collins, coordinator of educational leadership and assistant professor of education, calls the program offering at Paul Smith’s “exciting.” 

“SLU has been preparing school leaders since 1923, so offering a cohort model was the next logical step in affording a greater number of North Country educators the opportunity to avail themselves of a St. Lawrence education,” said Collins.

St. Lawrence’s education-leadership program is designed to accommodate the lives of busy professionals who want to increase their leadership roles and responsibilities in educational settings, said Collins.

The course work, which participants will complete in one academic year through Friday evening and all-day Saturday classes, includes theory and practical application, according to SLU.

Once participants complete the course work, the future school leaders conduct a 400-hour internship, the school added.

The program meets New York state standards for certification as school-building leaders, according to SLU.

The program started at Paul Smith’s on Sept. 19, and the school anticipates those involved will complete the internship in December 2015.

“Paul Smith’s College welcomes the opportunity to work with St. Lawrence University,” Cathy Dove, president of Paul Smith’s College, said in the news release. “This partnership will benefit the entire North Country.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com