Licensing for educational administrators

Program requirements

Curriculum

For students accepted into the certificate in PK-12 administration program spring 2009 or later, 22-24 credits are required for each license. The program offers a variety of courses specifically designed to address the competencies required for each license. Evening and weekend courses are available to accommodate the schedules of practicing administrators. On average, most students complete the program in one to two years. To view a full listing of the courses scheduled, please go to Class schedules and course descriptions.

Required for all licenses

• EDPA 5385—Licensure Seminar: Program Policies and Inclusionary Leadership (1 credit)
• EDPA 5386—Leadership Portfolio Seminar (1 credit)
• EDPA 5324—Strategic Financial Planning and Policy for Educational Leaders (3 credits)
• EDPA 5344—School Law (3 credits)
• EDPA 5348—Leaders of Human Resources (2 credits)
• EDPA 5387—Leadership for Teaching & Learning (2 credits)*
• EDPA 5310—Data Driven Decision Making I (1 credit)
• EDPA 5391—Special Education Law for Leaders (1 credit)*

*EDPA 5387 and 5391 are not required for the Director of Community Education license.

Licensure-specific course requirements

K-12 principal

• EDPA 5321—The Principal as Leader of High Performing Schools (3 credits)
• EDPA 5388—Leadership for Master(ful) Scheduling (2 credits)

School superintendent

• EDPA 5322—Leaders in the Superintendency and Central Office (3 credits)
• EDPA 5393—School Finance Elections (1 credit)

Director of special education

• EDPA 5368—Leadership for Special Education Services (3 credits)
• EDPA 5392—Special Education Finance: Program Models Policy and Law (2 credits)
• EDPA 5321—The Principal as Leader of High Performing Schools is strongly recommended for this licensure area

Director of community education

• EDPA 5389—Community Education Leadership (3 credits)
• EDPA 5394—Leadership in Community Education Finance and Law (1 credit)
• Plus credits in the following areas:
  • Adult Education (2 credits)
  • Early Childhood (2 credits)
  • School Age Programs (2 credits)
• PRE-ASSESSMENT: Additional course or experiential requirements may be determined through the pre-assessment completed as part of EDPA 5385—Licensure Seminar.

Additional requirements

Exit requirements

• Complete all coursework with a grade of S or C or better.
• An electronic portfolio presented to a review panel made up of representatives from the University and licensed practitioners is required as the last step to earning licensure.

Further requirements: K-12 principal, superintendent, and director of special education

• Possess or complete three years of teaching experience
• 60 credits beyond a bachelor’s degree to include a graduate degree
• 320 hours of field experience

Further requirements: director of community education

• A bachelor’s degree plus 24 credits
• 320 hours of field experience

Licensure through non-certificate option

In some cases students may enroll in the non-certificate program. This option is available only with approval of an adviser and only if the candidate is

• already licensed as an educational administrator in Minnesota and seeking an additional license,
• a licensed and experienced administrator from another state,
• or has completed extensive coursework in educational administration.

Under this option candidates must complete a minimum of 6 credits through the University of Minnesota as well as other requirements as specified. Additional credits will be determined after your adviser reviews your transcripts.

Alternative licensure pathway

There is a route to licensure for aspiring principals, superintendents, and directors of special education who want to become licensed but o not have a teaching license. In addition to the licensure requirements listed above, you must also complete the following:

• EPsy 5135 Human Relations Workshop (4 credits)
• CI 5155 Contemporary Approaches to Curriculuar Instruction and Assessment (3 credits)
• EdPA 5095 EdPA: Problems (independent study) (1 credit)
• 1050 hours teaching experience, including 8 weeks in the classroom

Professionals who may be licensed under the alternative licensure pathway include: school psychologists, school social workers, speech therapists, school librarians (without teaching license), school counselors, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and school nurses as well as others outside of schools and school districts.

For further information on the non-certificate or alternative licensure options, please contact the program coordinator or director.

November 2008