Educator Leadership Institute

Program Information

ACCEPT’s Educator Leadership Institute (ELI) is a licensure program that prepares educators for PreK-8 or 5-12 Principal / Assistant Principal administrative leadership positions. Upon completion of the ELI Program coursework, ELI endorses the cohort of candidates to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (MA-DESE) for licensure. Candidates may also choose to pay tuition and receive a 30-credit master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management through a partnership with Fitchburg State University. No additional work is required to receive the master’s degree. Each new cohort begins in January.

Why Choose ELI?

Since 2003 the ELI Program's in-person cohort model has endorsed over 550 educational leaders through MA-DESE. The 18-month ELI Program consists of graduate level coursework and a supervised practicum and may be completed while maintaining a full-time teaching position. The “cohort model” provides close connections with educators from districts all around eastern MA.

ELI graduates are currently serving as administrators in more than 100 districts and educational organizations. The ELI Program is the gateway that opens doors to your future in education leadership. Come join ELI Cohort #24 in January 2026!

How do ELI Classes Work?

All ELI classes are held in person at the ACCEPT Education Collaborative, 4 Tech Circle, Natick, MA.
New cohorts begin the 18-month ELI Program each January.

Fitchburg State University Master’s Degree Partnership

Completion of the ELI Program qualifies candidates for a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Management through a partnership with Fitchburg State University (FSU). There is no additional coursework required. Tuition for the master’s degree ($3120 in 2025) is paid to FSU. Total tuition for the ELI Program ($12,200) including the optional FSU master’s degree ($3120) is $15,320.
More detailed information about the FSU master’s degree program can be found HERE.

Program Structure and Course Descriptions

To view detailed descriptions of the ELI program structure, curriculum, and courses, please see the following document:

ELI Program Structure

Classes will be held on from at ACCEPT Education Collaborative, 4 Tech Circle, Natick, MA 01760.

Information Sessions

Although it is not a requirement for application or acceptance, we have found most prospective candidates desire a firsthand experience of the program prior to application. ELI holds three Information Sessions in the fall where prospective candidates have the opportunity to participate in a sample case study and discuss the program with current students, graduates and faculty.

Information sessions take place at ACCEPT Collaborative and run for approximately 1.5 hours.

This year's information sessions will occur at the following dates and times:

• Monday, September 29, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
• Tuesday, October 21, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
• Wednesday, November 19, 5:00 – 6:30 PM

Please sign up for an information session below:

Info Session Sign Up