Director of Special Education License
The Specialist in Educational Leadership degree is designed to develop special education leaders who demonstrate racial competence and the experience, expertise, and tools immediately relevant to lead today’s racially diverse schools. Completion of the specialist degree leads to recommendation for administrative licensure as a Director of Special Education.
Delivery Model
The educational specialist degree for administrative licensure is delivered using an online cohort model. The classes are held on Saturdays, with one class in the morning and one class in the afternoon. The classes meet synchronously online, five times per semester, with the remaining coursework to be done collaboratively in small groups and/or in schools.
Types of Administrative License
Minnesota Director of Special Education
Location
New cohorts for Specialist in Educational Leadership begin online each fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Typical Plan of Study
| Course Numbers | Course | Semester | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EdLd 671 | Introduction to School Administration | Semester 1 | 3 |
| EdLd 672 | Policy and Administration | Semester 1 | 3 |
| EdLd 673 | Leadership and Special Programs | Semester 2 | 3 |
| EdLd 674 | Supervision and Administration | Semester 2 | 3 |
| EdLd 665 | Legal Issues in Administration | Semester 3 | 3 |
| EdLd 698 | Internship in Administration #1 | Semester 3 | 3 |
| EdLd 679 | Advanced School Administration and Finance | Semester 4 | 3 |
| EdLd 682 | Field Based Research | Semester 4 | 3 |
| EdLd 698 | Internship in Administration #2 | Semester 5 | 3 |
| EdLd 670 | Portfolio Review - Situational Observation | Semester 5 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
Application Requirements
- A completed master’s degree from an accredited university.
- Applicants seeking a MN K-12 Director of Special Education license must have at least three years of successful experience as a licensed special education teacher, school counselor, school social worker, or speech language pathologist.
- Students who do not meet the teaching license requirement can meet this requirement by completing an additional teaching internship course, EdLd 697 Internship in Teaching.
Minnesota Administrative Licensure Requirements
The Educational Specialist degree, plan of study is designed to meet the Minnesota State Statue requirements for administrative licensure.
In addition to completing the coursework in the plan of study, students must hold a teaching license and have 3 years of documented teaching experience.
Students who do not meet the teaching license requirement can meet this requirement by completing an additional teaching internship course, EdLd 697 Internship in Teaching.
Applying to Graduate School
To apply to the graduate school, visit Graduate Application Instructions.
You will need to submit the following materials to the College of Graduate Studies:
- Application for Graduate Study
- Official transcripts from institutions(s) you have previously attended.
- Transcripts can be mailed directly to:
Office of Admissions
Minnesota State University, Mankato
122 Taylor Center
Mankato, MN 56001 - Transcripts can be e-mailed directly to gradapp@mnsu.edu.
- Transcripts can be mailed directly to:
- $40.00 nonrefundable application fee
In the application check that you are seeking an Educational Specialist Degree. The proposed graduate Department/Program: Educational Leadership/Specialist. The term you wish to enter is the preferred start semester. Your student status will be full-time.
For additional information/Q&A regarding the Specialist in Educational Leadership program, please contact:
Dr. Beatriz DeSantiago-Fjelstad
Educational Leadership Coordinator of Specialist Programs
beatriz.desantiago-fjelstad@mnsu.edu | 952-818-8878
