FAQs

The next UELP cohort begins in July of 2023.

The application deadline is December 1, 2022.

No. This cohort program is part-time with courses taking place Monday through Friday for two weeks during the month of July. Additionally, students meet once per month on Friday and Saturday during the Fall and Spring semesters.

UELP is primarily an on-campus, in-person program. However, there is a distance and technology component to the program, mixed with the requirements of conducting online research and using online platforms to download readings and submit assignments. 

UELP is a 90-credit program (with up to 42 transferable credits from previous graduate study).

The cost of the UELP Program varies depending on the cost of tuition. For additional information about program costs, please visit Tuition and Financial Aid.

We believe the UELP Program is cost-effective because it does not require individuals to leave their jobs and, therefore, students can maintain their source of income. We also have very high placement rates into full-time administrative positions. The Program has limited funds available to award to new and continuing students. For more information on financial aid, please visit the Financial Aid website.

Though we do not publish our acceptance rate, our Program is highly competitive and accepts approximately 15 students every other year.

With steady progress, the UELP Program will take approximately four (4) years to complete. Students attend classes for three consecutive years and conclude with their written dissertation and dissertation defense.

Applicants should have eight to ten years of teaching/leadership experience or equivalent work experience in order to apply.

Yes, you may apply, but please address in your personal statement why you feel you are qualified with fewer than the requisite years of experience.

UELP focuses on urban education. However, students who seek district-level positions in suburban or rural settings, and who wish to pursue doctoral study in a program that will expand their thinking and experience into areas of urban interest, are invited to apply for admission.

No. The UELP Program is proud to have a diverse student pool from coast to coast, including Chicago, Arizona, Texas, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C., among other locations. The convenient schedule makes it easy for our students to commute to classes in the summertime as well as the weekends and limits days away from their careers. To view current student profiles click here.

Cohort programs allow a group of colleagues to enter the program at the same time, thus creating a community of peers to provide support. Students have similar goals and often share professional networks. Most courses in the UELP Program are offered for cohort members only, thus granting smaller class sizes and extra one-on-one attention from faculty members.

Upon completion of the Program, students are eligible to take the New York State School District Leader Licensure Examination. For more information regarding licensure, please refer to the New York State Education Department website here. 

Students who wish to attain School Building Leve (SBL) certificate should consider enrolling in the Summer Principals Academy at Teachers College.

No, the GRE is optional.

Please note that ETS will not release scores older than 5 years. For more information on the GRE, please visit the ETS GRE website.

Please visit our  page for application requirements and visit the Office of Admission online application system to apply.  

Please contact uelp@tc.columbia.edu for any questions you may have.