Educational Leadership (K–12)

• Educational Leadership (K–12) Courses
• [PDF] Summer 2008 Class Schedule (193 KiB)
• [PDF] Fall 2008 Class Schedule (439 KiB)
• [PDF] Spring 2009 Class Schedule (335 KiB)

Director of Community Education (Administration)

In Minnesota the only licensure program for school administration at the Master's Degree level is the Director of Community Education.

To receive the Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, with a major in Community Education Director, students complete a 34–credit degree program.

Those not seeking a degree may wish to pursue the 20–credit minimum program (post Bachelor's Degree) to become recommended for licensure. More information is available by contacting the Licensure Coordinator.

Specialist Degree

The Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership is a 30–credit program. It includes an advanced research course, generally the Seminar in Field Study Design.

Program requirements for the Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership:

1. Application for the Specialist Degree should be made upon completion of a Master's Degree.
2. Initial Assessment is completed in Ed Ad 633 School Administration. At the end of that course students submit to their Advisor, their Program Learning Plan based on their assessment.
3. Course Work is planned around the needs identified. Most students complete the same basic coursework that is designed to assure all graduate students gain competency as needed.
4. Plan of Study must be completed and signed prior to application for the Internship experiences.
5. Internship (Clinical Experience) is related to the specific licensure program. It is generally completed during the final two semesters of a student's program. Application must be made a semester in advance. (July 1 for Fall Semester, November 1 for Spring Semester, April 1 for Summer Semester.)
6. Situational Observation (Panel Review of Portfolio) generally occurs the final semester. Like the Internships, an application must be made during the semester preceding and the same deadlines apply.

Note: Students with a Master's Degree from another field may have a minimal number of deficiencies to complete. In most case the deficiencies are from 3–9 semester credits.

The Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership may be used to pursue preparation for administrative licensure in the K–12 system. In 1997 the Minnesota Department of Education approved the Minnesota State University, Mankato program.

In Minnesota, licensure recommendations follow a successful panel review at the conclusion of the program. The review is based upon competency in the specific licensure field. Those competencies are cited in Minnesota Rule and have been written in an easy format which may be accessed through this website.

The licensure programs include: K–12 Principal, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent. (Also, those with a previous Masters Degree may pursue the Director of Community Education license, although this advanced degree is not a basic requirement.)