Originally designed as a virtual, high-quality, learning experience for working professionals, Stanford EdLEADers offers the flexibility of individual, online instruction within a structured framework for collaborative learning with set scheduling. With this design, Stanford EdLEADers differs from many other online certificate programs.
Other Online Certificate Programs
Stanford EdLEADers
Type of learning
Individual learning
Individual and collaborative learning
Interactions with peers
Low interactivity with peers
High interactivity with peers:
- Cohort-based
- Quarterly-assigned learning teams
- Partner- and team-based assignments
- Dedicated learning-team workspaces
Interactions with Course Instructors and/or Facilitators
Low interactivity with course instructors and/or course facilitators
High interactivity with course instructors and/or course facilitators:
- Two live class sessions per course with course instructors
- Weekly office hours with course facilitator
- Assignment feedback from assigned course facilitators
Feedback
Automated tests and/or peer feedback
Peer and course facilitator feedback
Scheduling
Flexible scheduling
A combination of program-, team-, and flexible self-scheduling
Within a given Stanford EdLEAders course, participants will complete coursework:
- Individually — activities such as watching video lessons, reviewing assigned readings, and completing individual assignments; as well as
- Interactively — interacting with peers, course facilitators, and/or course instructors online, synchronously or asynchronously.

“[Stanford EdLEADers offers] the opportunity to engage in powerful, practical content to address issues unique to school district leaders, as well as opportunities to connect, collaborate, and innovate with peers.”
Vice President, Strategy | Colorado Education Initiative
Interacting with Course Content
All courses contain content which has been curated and custom-developed by a Stanford faculty member. Course instructors will present their content in several formats including video lessons, podcasts, readings, and multimedia case studies.
Interacting with the Course Teaching Team
Each course includes two scheduled online live sessions with the course instructor, providing an opportunity to engage in deeper discussions about the course content and assignments. Leading up to live sessions and assignment due dates, a course facilitator will be contributing to the course discussion forums and available during scheduled online office hours. Following assignment submissions, participants will receive individual feedback on their assignments.
Interacting with Fellow Participants
In addition to course discussion forums, participant collaboration is supported and encouraged through assigned learning teams, dedicated learning team workspaces, and partner- and team-based assignment with opportunities for peer feedback.