51³Ô¹Ïapp

51³Ô¹Ïapp

School Building Leader (SBL) Certificate


The SBL Advanced Certificate program is designed for elementary and secondary teachers and school counselors seeking to become school principals.



Do you want to become a school principal?


This fully online offering is 24 hours in length, and includes coursework in curriculum development, leading effective inclusive schools, school finance and law, supervision, leadership and school-community relations. Six (6) hours of equivalent coursework may be accepted for transfer with the approval of the program director.

The SBL program offers fall and spring starts and can be finished up in four semesters with no summer classes, or completed in 18 months through an accelerated program including summer study.

The SBL program meets New York state course requirements for SBL certification.

With six additional credits, SBL students can receive the MSED in Educational Leadership.


  • School Building Leader Certificate Curriculum Overview


    The School Building Leader (SBL) Advanced Certificate program at 51³Ô¹Ïapp offers an in-depth exploration of the leadership, legal, and operational knowledge required to guide schools with confidence and integrity. Through a carefully structured, fully online curriculum, students engage with topics such as educational law, finance, inclusive leadership practices, and the use of data to drive school improvement.

    The program also emphasizes relationship-building between schools and their communities, preparing future leaders to foster collaborative and transparent environments. Two distinct clinical experiences, one in an elementary setting and the other in a secondary setting, provide meaningful opportunities to apply learned concepts in real-world administrative settings.

    These field-based components allow candidates to immerse themselves in leadership roles under the guidance of experienced mentors, gaining the practical skills and strategic mindset needed to support faculty, students, and school initiatives effectively.

    Upon completion, graduates are well-prepared to meet the requirements for New York State School Building Leader certification and take the next step in their leadership journey.

    News-Publications-Research- Banner
      Apr 06, 51³Ô¹Ïapp | An empirical study by Dr. Tyrone Bynoe (left photo), associate professor of Education and director of the Educational Leadership program, and Dr. David Ersig, associate principal in the Utica community school system (outside of Detroit, Michigan), has been accepted for publication in the Journal for Teaching and Learning.

      Feb 13, 51³Ô¹Ïapp | A book chapter by Dr. Tyrone Bynoe (left, above), associate professor of Education and director of the Educational Leadership program, and Dr. Kevin Whitaker, superintendent of the Jamestown City School District and an adjunct instructor at SBU, has been accepted for publication in a book titled "Problems of Practice: Case Studies on the Superintendency," scheduled for release in the summer of 51³Ô¹Ïapp.

      Jan 30, 51³Ô¹Ïapp | A book chapter by Dr. Tyrone Bynoe, associate professor of Education and director of the Educational Leadership program, and Dr. Genelle Morris, superintendent of the Olean City School District and an adjunct instructor at SBU, has been accepted for publication in a book titled "Problems of Practice: Case Studies on the Superintendency," scheduled for release in the summer of 51³Ô¹Ïapp.