Program Details

The first year of CLASS is designed to be a complete course in the principles of teacher leadership (the leadership of peers). Participants learn how to use data to develop goals through a collaborative leadership process. Based on credits earned and/or different roles in their schools, participants may qualify for salary differentials.*

The second year deepens participants’ understanding of how to improve educational outcomes at a school level, including the design and administration of school systems. At the end of this year, successful candidates will receive a master’s degree from Hunter College and are qualified to take state exams for the New York State Building and District Leader Certification.

Program participants who work in a DOE school are also eligible to apply for the DOE Wallace Leadership Fellows program. This program provides financial resources to the host school as well as additional professional development opportunities.

*Allotment of pay differentials are at the discretion of school leadership. Please consult the NYC DOE pay scale for additional details.

Program Organization:

• The program is organized into four semesters over two years.
• Participants take eight credits per semester in the fall and spring.
• Candidates are required to attend two additional intensive class days, before the formal start of each semester.
• Courses take place in the evenings from 4:45 p.m. to 9 p.m., once a week for 15 weeks.
• Principals have opportunities to align each participant’s work with the school improvement goals.
• Candidates’ progress in the program is based on a series of performance assessments. Each semester will have a central task that program participants are required to complete to demonstrate their mastery.

Program Tuition:

Candidates in this program pay graduate Hunter College tuition and fees. In-state tuition and fees are estimated to be in the range of $3200-3500 per semester for each of the four semesters for candidates residing in New York State.

Program Selection Criteria and Next Steps:

Generally, all eligible candidates should possess current NYS teacher certification (initial or professional), hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0, hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 and  have a minimum of three years of teaching experience.  A principal recommendation is required. All applicants must submit undergraduate and graduate transcripts for review.