Loyola Marymount University’s Certificate in Catholic School Administration (CCSA) is part of the Department of Educational Leadership and the Center for Catholic Education. LMU and its CCSA program are committed to helping the next generation of Catholic school leaders succeed in the dynamic and changing landscape of 21st century Catholic school education.
Program Design:
The CSA is a 10-semester unit graduate program designed to provide a full year of content in missionfocused, organizational, and instructional leadership. The CSA supports educators interested in moving into Catholic school administration or who have been a school administrator and desire a concentrated
education in the distinctive mission and operations of Catholic schools. The M.A. in Educational Leadership is an additional 21 semester units plus Capstone Project/Exam beyond the Certificate.
The overall objective of both the certificate and expanded M.A. program is to educate and train prospective and novice Catholic school leaders in effective Catholic school administration and leadership. Candidates receive a rigorous curriculum that includes Catholic school history, mission, law, ethics, budget, finance, operations, marketing, fundraising, admissions, personnel management, curriculum, and instruction. The four pillars of adult Catholic spirituality, technology, inclusion, and the development of a professional learning community give the foundation for each of the courses of the program.
Eligibility:
The Certificate in Catholic School Administration (CCSA) applicants are required to hold a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or internaltional equivalency) with a 3.0 GPA or higher (or application for exception to the GPA); be currently employed by a Catholic school; be recommended by a current Catholic school leader, and show a demonstrated passion for leadership and innovative change. The online program is authorized in the following specific states within the U.S. as well as for international residents.
Cohort Learning:
The CCSA program enrolls a cohort each July and classes follow an “executive format” with classes meeting on selected Saturdays over each semester for each three-unit course. Online courses hold synchronous classes on Saturdays as well.
Course Sequence
Candidates for the Certificate complete these courses over 11 months of study:
- EDLA 6420 August - An Invitation to Lead (1 unit) on-campus for all cohorts
- EDLA 6430 Fall - Mission-Focused Leadership in Catholic Education (3 units)
- EDLA 6431 Spring - Organizational Leadership in Catholic Education (3 units)
- EDLA 6432 Summer Session 1 - Instructional Leadership in Catholic Education (3 units)
Candidates who complete the optional Online M.A. in Educational Leadership, also complete the following additional curriculum (21 semester units)
- EDLA 6724 Educational Leader as Researcher (3 units)
- EDLA 6703 Innovation, Entrepreneurial Leadership/Design Thinking (3 units)
- EDLA 6702 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (3 units)
- EDLA 6704 Community, Family, and Stakeholder Engagement (3 units)
- EDLA 6705 Supervision, Coaching, and a Culture of Professional Learning (3 units)
- EDLA 6706 Governance, Law, and Policy (3 units)
- EDLA 6707 Cura Personalis: Fostering a Community of Care (3 units)
- EDLA 6995 Comprehensive Exam: Capstone (0 units)
The additional courses for the M.A. in Educational Leadership are offered as a fully online cohort. The synchronous online teaching modality follows an “executive format” meeting virtually on selected Saturdays in each three-unit course.
All courses are taught by our renowned faculty, many of whom come from TK-12 leadership backgrounds and are recognized leaders in the field of Catholic school education. Students also benefit from access to LMU’s outstanding on- campus and electronic library, a support network of coaching and mentoring, individual advising, and the cohort model’s built-in network of motivated, experienced colleagues.
Per Federal Regulation 34 CFR 668.43(a)(5)(v), all LMU School of Education credential/licensure programs meet the California state requirements as specified by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) and for the CA Board of Behavioral Sciences as appropriate. The institution has not made a determination as to whether these credential, licensure, and professional preparation programs meet the requirements of states outside of California. If you are interested in practicing outside the state of California, it is recommended that you contact the respective licensing entity of that state to seek information or guidance regarding their licensure and credential requirements in advance to allow for appropriate planning.