Walden's K-12 specialization offered through The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership is designed to create local, regional, and state educational leaders who can relate to diverse, multi-cultural, K-12 and community-based school populations. A highly flexible, student-centered curriculum provides a much-needed new model for advanced study in the field of educational leadership. The specialization has been designed following both Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)  published standards for programs in educational leadership. Career professionals in education who work, or wish to work, in leadership and policy development at the building, district, regional or state level will find the specialization particularly suited to their needs for advanced study and certification and licensure. Second only to the impending teacher shortage in America is the developing shortage of educational leadership at school, district and state levels.  
(Note on certification and licensure: Students undertaking the K-12 Educational leadership specialization should possess a valid administrative credential or, in appropriate cases, they may seek to use the Walden University Ph.D. degree to satisfy certification/licensure requirements in their respective states. Acceptance of the Walden University Ph.D. by individual states for the satisfaction of certification or licensure requirements rests with each state. Students are advised to consult directly with their state certification/licensure authority for further information. Walden University does not directly provide administrative certification or licensure in any state.)