Frequently Asked Questions
What differentiates this program from the many other leadership preparation programs available?
- The Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind online principal certification program co-designed with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in response to the research-demonstrated need for greater equity-driven, representative school leadership
- National cohorts allow Fellows to build networks and share best practices across schools, districts, and states
- A dedicated New Leaders alumni team continues to provide professional development support and facilitate connection beyond the program
- Fellows who complete the program graduate job-ready with all the tools they need to make real change in school communities across the country.
What is the time commitment?
How much does the program cost?
Tuition for the Certificate-only program is $10,000. Tuition for the Certificate + Master’s Degree program is $20,000. Both are inclusive of a $5,000 scholarship that will be awarded to participants who enroll in the program by September 2022.
The Fellowship is open to both individual applicants that cover the tuition costs directly as well as groups of applicants that primarily have their tuition costs sponsored by their local school district, charter network, or professional association.
All participants enrolling in the dual certificate and master’s degree track will be required to apply for Federal financial aid.
Is the principal certification valid/transferable in my district/system's state?
Please refer to the certification and licensure requirements page for more information about state-specific program approvals and requirements for entering the principalship.
Who is eligible for this program?
The Fellowship is open to leaders of color and equity-focused school-based leaders with 2-3 years of teaching experience. Applicants will be evaluated for personal leadership attributes, foundational instructional leadership knowledge, and a track record of success in driving student achievement gains.
What does it mean to be an equity-focused leader?
An equity-focused leader:
- Promotes a mindset in all members of their team that all children can learn at exceedingly high levels
- Creates an inclusive environment that allows all faculty, staff, parents, and students to feel safe, valued, cared for, and seen
- Provides all students access to effective, high-quality curricula that are both academically rigorous and culturally responsive/relevant
- Creates systems and structures that equitably distribute resources
- Considers the impact of their decision-making and policies on underestimated and underserved student populations
Where can I direct additional questions?
Introduce yourself and a member of our Partner Engagement team will reach out to discuss your district or system’s needs and opportunities.
What differentiates this program from the many other leadership preparation programs available?
- The Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind online principal certification program co-designed with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in response to the research-demonstrated need for greater equity-driven, representative school leadership
- National cohorts allow Fellows to build networks and share best practices across schools, districts, and states
- A dedicated New Leaders alumni team continues to provide professional development support and facilitate connection beyond the program
- Fellows who complete the program graduate job-ready with all the tools they need to make real change in school communities across the country.
What is the time commitment?
How much does the program cost?
Tuition for the Certificate-only program is $10,000. Tuition for the Certificate + Master’s Degree program is $20,000. Both are inclusive of a $5,000 scholarship that will be awarded to participants who enroll in the program by September 2022.
The Fellowship is open to both individual applicants that cover the tuition costs directly as well as groups of applicants that primarily have their tuition costs sponsored by their local school district, charter network, or professional association.
All participants enrolling in the dual certificate and master’s degree track will be required to apply for Federal financial aid.
What is the difference between the Fellowship at Clark Atlanta University and the Fellowship in Partnership with Morehouse College?
The Fellowship at Clark Atlanta University is an accredited university program that provides official transcripts, letter grades, and graduate credit for successfully completed Fellowship courses. Students enrolling in the Fellowship at Clark Atlanta University are eligible to pursue the Certificate-Only and Certificate + Masters options.
The Fellowship in Partnership with Morehouse College is a New Leaders program approved in specific states to offer a program completion certificate that can be used to secure a school building administrator license.
Is the principal certification valid/transferable in my state?
Please refer to the certification and licensure requirements page for more information about state-specific program approvals and how the Fellowship meets requirements for entering the principalship in your state.
Who is eligible for this program?
The Fellowship is open to leaders of color and equity-focused school-based leaders with 2-3 years of teaching experience. Applicants will be evaluated for personal leadership attributes, foundational instructional leadership knowledge, and a track record of success in driving student achievement gains.
What does it mean to be an equity-focused leader?
An equity-focused leader:
- Promotes a mindset in all members of their team that all children can learn at exceedingly high levels
- Creates an inclusive environment that allows all faculty, staff, parents, and students to feel safe, valued, cared for, and seen
- Provides all students access to effective, high-quality curricula that are both academically rigorous and culturally responsive/relevant
- Creates systems and structures that equitably distribute resources
- Considers the impact of their decision-making and policies on underestimated and underserved student populations
Where can I direct additional questions?
Introduce yourself and you’ll receive more information about live and on-demand information sessions and instructions for how to schedule a call with an enrollment advisor.
What differentiates this program from the many other leadership preparation programs available?
- The Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind online principal certification program co-designed with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in response to the research-demonstrated need for greater equity-driven, representative school leadership
- National cohorts allow Fellows to build networks and share best practices across schools, districts, and states
- A dedicated New Leaders alumni team continues to provide professional development support and facilitate connection beyond the program
- Fellows who complete the program graduate job-ready with all the tools they need to make real change in school communities across the country
What is the time commitment?
How much does the program cost?
Tuition for the Principal Certificate Track is $10,000. Tuition for the Master's + Certification Track is $20,000. Both are inclusive of a $5,000 scholarship awarded to participants who enroll in the program by September 2022.
The Fellowship is open to both individual applicants that cover the tuition costs directly as well as groups of applicants who primarily have their tuition costs sponsored by their local school district, charter network, or professional association.
All participants enrolling in the dual Master's + Certification Track will be required to apply for Federal financial aid.
Is the principal certification valid/transferable in my district or system's state?
Please refer to the certification and licensure requirements page for more information about state-specific program approvals and requirements for entering the principalship.
Who is eligible for this program?
The Fellowship is open to leaders of color and equity-focused school-based leaders with 2-3 years of teaching experience. Applicants will be evaluated for personal leadership attributes, foundational instructional leadership knowledge, and a track record of success in driving student achievement gains.
What does it mean to be an equity-focused leader?
An equity-focused leader:
- Promotes a mindset in all members of their team that all children can learn at exceedingly high levels
- Creates an inclusive environment that allows all faculty, staff, parents, and students to feel safe, valued, cared for, and seen
- Provides all students access to effective, high-quality curricula that are both academically rigorous and culturally responsive/relevant
- Creates systems and structures that equitably distribute resources
- Considers the impact of their decision-making and policies on underestimated and underserved student populations
Where can I direct additional questions?
Introduce yourself, and a member of our Partner Engagement team will reach out to discuss your district or system’s needs and opportunities.
What differentiates this program from the many other leadership preparation programs available?
- The Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind online principal certification program co-designed with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in response to the research-demonstrated need for greater equity-driven, representative school leadership
- National cohorts allow Fellows to build networks and share best practices across schools, districts, and states
- A dedicated New Leaders alumni team continues to provide professional development support and facilitate connection beyond the program
- Fellows who complete the program graduate job-ready with all the tools they need to make real change in school communities across the country.
What is the time commitment?
The Fellowship is a 11-month (certificate) to 16-month (certificate + master’s) program with 10-12 hours per week of asynchronous and synchronous activities in addition to the job-embedded residency.

How much does the program cost?
Tuition for the Certificate-only program is $10,000. Tuition for the Certificate + Master’s Degree program is $20,000. Both are inclusive of a $5,000 scholarship that will be awarded to participants who enroll in the program by September 2022.
The Fellowship is open to both individual applicants that cover the tuition costs directly as well as groups of applicants that primarily have their tuition costs sponsored by their local school district, charter network, or professional association.
All participants enrolling in the dual certificate and master’s degree track will be required to apply for Federal financial aid.
Is the principal certification valid/transferable in my district/system's state?
Please refer to the certification and licensure requirements page for more information about state-specific program approvals and requirements for entering the principalship.
Who is eligible for this program?
The Fellowship is open to leaders of color and equity-focused school-based leaders with 2-3 years of teaching experience. Applicants will be evaluated for personal leadership attributes, foundational instructional leadership knowledge, and a track record of success in driving student achievement gains.