Buffalo, NY – Canisius University has received approval from the New York State Education Department to offer its new Administrator and Superintendent Extension certificate beginning in fall 2026. The approval positions Canisius among higher education institutions authorized to prepare school and district leaders under New York’s updated certification structure.
The New York State Board of Regents adopted new regulations in January 2025 that consolidate the longstanding School Building Leader (SBL) and School District Leader (SDL) certifications into a single professional Administrator certificate, with an additional Superintendent Extension required for those serving in superintendent-level roles. The transition to the new system will be fully implemented in New York State by September 2031.
The 30-credit Administrator certificate at Canisius will prepare educators for building- and district-level administrative roles, including principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent and director.
Designed for working professionals, the program will be offered in an on-line only format consistent with its current administrator preparation programs to ensure accessibility for educators across Western New York and beyond.
“Canisius University has a long tradition of preparing school leaders who make a meaningful difference in their communities,” said Meg Keller-Cogan, EdD, director of the Graduate Education and Leadership Program. “This new certificate builds on that legacy and is designed to reflect the evolving landscape of educational leadership in New York State and equip the next generation of educators with the skills, credentials and flexibility needed to lead effectively at the building and district levels.”
Canisius consistently prepares graduates for success in educational leadership roles. The university’s graduate education programs maintain a 99 percent success rate on New York State licensing exams and are ranked among the nation’s top by U.S. News & World Report. The programs are fully accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), which further affirms both program quality and graduate effectiveness.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
