Our Certificate in Catholic School Administration (CCSA) is part of the Department of Educational Leadership and the Center for Catholic Education. Together we 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 CCSA is a 10-semester unit graduate program designed to provide a full year of content in mission-focused, organizational, and instructional leadership. The CCSA 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. You will also have the option to complete an M.A. in educational leadership beyond your certificate.
The objective of both the certificate and the 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
Applicants for the CCSA program are required to:
- Live in one of the following U.S. states per authorization rules
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution (or international equivalency) with a 3.0 GPA or higher (or application for exception to the GPA)
- Hold a current job in a Catholic school
- Be recommended for the program by a current Catholic school leader, and show a demonstrated passion for leadership and innovative change
Cohort Learning
The CCSA program enrolls a cohort of candidates each June. The first course in Summer II semester meets in person on campus for a two-day course learning experience and retreat. During Fall and Spring semesters, classes meet synchronous via zoom on Thursdays from 4:00 - 6:30pm Pacific/7:00 - 9:30pm Eastern.
Course Sequence
CCSA candidates complete the courses below over 11 months of study:
- EDLA 6420 Summer II - An Invitation to Lead (1 unit) - two days on-campus in June
- EDLA 6430 Fall - Mission-Focused Leadership in Catholic Education (3 units)
- EDLA 6431 Spring - Instructional Leadership in Catholic Education (3 units)
- EDLA 6432 Summer Session 1 - Organizational Leadership in Catholic Education (3 units)
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 William H. Hannon 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.