Invest in a dynamic professional experience that activates learning in a deliberately curated community of independent and international school educators. Deepen your capacity to lead and create impact in a change-persistent world.
The Klingenstein learning experience is unparalleled. Klingenstein students don’t just check the boxes needed to earn a degree; they engage in transformative learning that builds new capacities for leadership while creating a lifelong community of fellow educator-leaders. Ask any alum about Klingenstein and you can expect to hear about their cohort immediately. We believe that "cohort" is both a noun and a verb. We actively work to build a learning community that will stay with you throughout your career. As you engage in thoughtful discussion and debate, design and research projects, collaborative research, peer feedback, and reflective practice, you’ll grow individually and collectively – ready to lead thriving school communities.
The Klingenstein Center's six-semester graduate program in Private School Leadership is designed for you to maintain full-time employment in independent or international schools while earning your degree. You'll join your cohort on the vibrant campus of Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City for four weeks in each of your two summers in the program. You’ll learn with world-class faculty and independent school leaders while engaging in an interdisciplinary curriculum that blends research, theory, practice, and mentorship. Following each summer, you’ll apply these new skills through research and place-based experiences in your school of employment.
Dive into the foundational ideas and practices of effective school leadership as you examine and practice instructional leadership, professional ethics, reflective practice, data-informed decision-making, and organizational behavior and school culture.
12 credits over ~4 weeks
While you're employed in your school, you'll engage in action research.
2 credits each semester while working full time at your school
Expand your understanding of and skills in the operational aspects of school leadership, including:
12 credits over ~4 weeks
While you're employed in your school during the academic year, you'll engage in place-based learning to:
2 credits each semester while working full time at your school
May 2027 - Graduation!!
Applications open for the 2025-2027 cohort via the Teachers College Admission Office.
Learn more about through the program pathway and FAQ's on this page.
Six-semester graduate program:
In person at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City for 4 weeks in each of two summers. (12 credits/summer)
Remote, project-based courses while employed at your school in the academic year following each summer (2 credits in each of 4 semesters)
Connect with the Klingenstein Center to learn more about the programs and application processes via the Contact Us Form or at 212-678-3156.
