Catholic School Leadership Graduate Certificate

The Catholic School Leadership (CSL) Certificate is a 12-credit graduate program designed for current and aspiring Catholic school leaders working in Catholic schools who may already have a master's degree and/or do not have teaching or leadership experience in Catholic schools.

Graduate Certificate in Catholic School Leadership requirements (12 credits)

EDL 605Foundations of Catholic Education3
EDL 622School Law3
EDL 626Strategic Resourcing3
EDL 627Strategic and Political Leadership in Catholic Schools3
Total Credits12

Note: The courses required for the above certificate may be applied to fulfill a Concentration in the Master of Science, Educational Specialist Areas degree for students who wish to apply for the M.S., Educational Specialist Areas. 

Program Outcomes

The CSL certificate program outcomes come from the Catholic School Leadership Framework that a task force developed in 2007. The task force was comprised of representatives from the Education Department at Creighton and representatives from the Catholic Schools Office and Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Omaha.  An effective Catholic school leader demonstrates capability in each of the six specialized standards listed below.

1. Faith Leadership

  1. Articulates and models active faith and morals.
  2. Leads the community in worship and prayer.
  3. Builds school faith community.
  4. Generates a positive Catholic culture and environment in the school.
  5. Facilitates the systematic mission formation of school personnel.

2.  Mission Leadership

Catholic Church Teachings

  1. Knows the fundamentals of Catholicism.
  2. Conversant with Catholic teaching, especially in relation to current moral/ethical issues.

History and Philosophy of Catholic Education

  1. Knows the evolutionary story of Catholic schools locally, nationally, and worldwide.
  2. Understands the distinctive mission and philosophy of contemporary Catholic schools as promulgated by Church documents and scholars.
  3. Communicates the Catholic identity and mission of the school verbally and in writing at every opportunity.

3.  Strategic Leadership

  1. Knows current trends and directions in   Catholic school education.
  2. Inspires all toward a shared vision for the future.
  3. Initiates, monitors, and evaluates the strategic planning process to fulfill the school’s mission, actualize its vision, and position the school for the future – (e.g., marketing, student recruitment).
  4. Promotes innovation, change, and collaboration in achieving the Catholic educational mission.
  5. Creates a development plan that explores additional sources of revenue (e.g., alumni giving, grants).

4.  Educational Leadership

  1. Inspires and leads the school community toward educational excellence.
  2. Fosters a professional learning community that values lifelong learning and involves families.
  3. Recruits, selects, supervises, and evaluates school personnel in light of mission.
  4. Ensures that Catholic teaching and religious values are infused throughout the educational program.
  5. Provides for a high quality religious education program staffed by qualified teachers.

5.  Community and Political Leadership

  1. Positively influences relationships between the school and its communities.
  2. Uses public relations strategies to promote the school and its mission to all publics.
  3. Advocates the support of Catholic schools by the entire Catholic community.
  4. Collaborates and networks with others who share in the mission of Catholic education.
  5. Works with the archdiocese, local public school district, other government agencies, and school parents to access available public funds.
  6. Mobilizes school community to seek additional public funding.

6.  Organizational Leadership

  1. Understands site-based management in relation to Catholic schools.
  2. Understands Catholic school governance structures especially the role of the parish pastor, pastoral council, parish finance committee, school board, Catholic Schools Office, and state Department of Education. 
  3. Promotes shared leadership in school administration and governance.
  4. Demonstrates effective stewardship of school resources.
  5. Understands school law, public policy, and school safety as it applies to Catholic schools.