Educational Leadership and Administration, Certification Only (0131)
Program Coordinator
Nicholas L. Brake, nicholas.brake@wku.edu, (270) 745-3062
The Certification Only, Education Leadership and Administration program is specific to the selected concentration (concentration codes are shown in parentheses below).
Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Endorsement (KDP1 and KDP2)
The Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) is one of the two legally mandated positions for a school district. The DPP usually deals with such issues as student attendance, student conduct codes, school calendars, and student services.
If a qualified applicant for director of pupil personnel services is not available, as attested by the local school superintendent, the superintendent, on behalf of the local board of education, may request a one-year probationary certificate for a director of pupil personnel services who has:
- A valid Kentucky classroom teaching certificate;
- A Master's Degree or Rank II;
- Three years of successful teaching experience;
- Admissions to a preparation program for the professional certificate for Advanced Educational Leader, Director of Pupil Personnel Services.
Annual renewal of the probationary certificate shall require completion of 9 hours from the approved program (16 KAR 3.090 Section 7).
Director of Special Education, Endorsement (KDS1 and KDS2)
The 24-hour, Level 1 program leads to eligibility for administrative certification as a Level I Director of Special Education (KDS1), renewable with completion of the 6-hour, Level II Director of Special Education program (KDS2).
If a qualified applicant is not available for the position of director of special education, the superintendent, on behalf of the local board of education for a two-year period for an applicant who has:
- A valid Kentucky certificate for teachers of exceptional children;
- A Rank II;
- Three years of full-time experience teaching exceptional children;
- Completed a course in special and regular education case law;
- Been admitted to the preparation program for the professional certificate for director of special education.
The applicant shall complete the total curriculum for the professional certificatory for director of special education by September 1 of the year of expiration (16 KAR 3.090 Section 8).
School Principal, Endorsement (KP1 and KP2)
The Principal Preparation Program is a certification program preparing educators to serve in principal, assistant principal, and other administrator roles.
WKU also offers an EPSB-approved alternate route to principal certification, with eligibility and application procedures as follows:
- Candidates must first apply to WKU Graduate Studies for admission to the university - https://www.wku.edu/graduate/.
- Following university admission, candidates should contact the School of Leadership and Professional Studies for program-specific application and admission guidelines by calling 270-745-4890.
- After program admission, the candidate will work with an advisor to submit a program of study to the Office of Professional Educators Services for approval.
- A letter is then issued by WKU stating that the student is currently enrolled in the principal program. At this time, the candidate may be offered a principal or assistant principal position by a district and is eligible to participate in the alternative route program.
- If the candidate is offered the position, the district superintendent must provide written verification to the candidate.
- The candidate will email employment verification to the program coordinator and submit a CA-TP to the Office of Professional Educator Services through EPSB's portal. SLPS will issue the student a mentor agreement that must be completed by the student, the student's university mentor, and the student's district mentor.
- The Office of Professional Educator Services will sign and verify the candidate's enrollment in the Alternate Route to Principal Certification program. The completed application will be uploaded to EPSB. The student will be notified when their certificate is ready.
- The student must request that an electronic transcript be sent directly to EPSB. The transcript request can be completed through TOPNET. All transcript request questions need to be directed to the registrar's office.
Superintendent, Endorsement (KST)
The professional certificate for school administration and supervision may be endorsed for the position of school superintendent when the candidate has met the following conditions:
- Completed two years of full-time experience in a school administrative position and
- Completed a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of graduate credit above the bachelor's degree in approved certification program(s), including EDAD 639, EDAD 649, EDAD 507, and EDAD 598.
The alternate route program enables the district to consider the best candidates for the positions of superintendent or assistant superintendent, including candidates who have not previously completed requirements for the superintendent's certification endorsement or are otherwise ineligible for certification under traditional program guidelines. Alternate route admission requirements include:
- A letter from the employing district signed by the superintendent and/or board chairman must be sent to WKU, indicating the desire to employ the named candidate as an assistant superintendent or superintendent and requesting the named candidate to be admitted to the Alternate Route to Superintendent Certification program.
- The candidate must submit an application for admission that includes all requested information pertaining to education and experience.
- The department admissions committee will review the request and application and determine if the candidate is eligible for admission and what, if any, additional requirements must be met.
- If admitted, the candidate is eligible to be interviewed for a superintendent or assistant superintendent position.
- If employed, the candidate is eligible for a two-year, Temporary Provisional Certificate endorsement for Superintendent. The candidate must submit a CA-1 to get the endorsement.
- The candidate has two years to complete all remaining program requirements. Upon completion, the candidate is eligible for a standard certificate endorsement.
Supervisor of Instruction, Endorsement (ILV1 and ILV2)
Applicants seeking certification as a Supervisor of Instruction should be aware that not all states offer reciprocity.
Program Admission
Admission to the Certification-Only, Educational Leadership and Administration program is specific to the selected concentration (concentration codes are shown in parentheses below). The following requirements are for students seeking an initial educational administration Level 1 and 2 certification. Initial programs include a 24-hour Level 1 and a 6-hour Level 2.
Director of Pupil Personnel Services (KDP1 and KDP2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate
- Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience
- Master's degree or Rank 2 from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate work
- Reference from supervisor
- Resume and cover letter
Director of Special Education (KDS1 and KDS2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate for exceptional children or as a school psychologist
- Three years of full-time teaching experience with exceptional children or as a school psychologist
- Master's degree or Rank 2 from an accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA or above on all graduate coursework
- Reference from supervisor
-
Resume and cover letter
School Principal (KP1 and KP2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate
- Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Reference from supervisor
- Resume and cover letter
Supervisor of Instruction (ILV1 and ILV2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate
- Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience
- Master's degree or Rank 2 from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate work
- Reference from supervisor
- Resume and cover letter
The following admission requirements apply to individuals adding additional educational administration certifications.
Superintendent (KST)
- Current, valid teaching certificate that includes ILV1 and ILV2 (SOI Level 1 and 2) or KP1 and KP2 (Principal Level 1 and Level 2)
- Master's degree
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate work
- Two years of administrative experience as defined by 16 KAR 3:090
- Portfolio
Director of Pupil Personnel Services (KDP1 and KDP2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate that also includes either KDS1 and KDS2 (DOSE Level 1 and 2), KP1 and KP2 (Principal Level 1 and 2), or ILV1 and ILV2
- Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience
- Master's degree or Rank 2 from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate work
- Reference from supervisor
- Resume and cover letter
Director of Special Education (KDS1 and KDS2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate for exceptional children or as a school psychologist that also includes either KDP1 and KDP2 (DPP Level 1 and 2), KP1 and KP2 (Principal Level 1 and 2), or ILV1 and ILV2 (SOI Level 1 and 2)
- Three years of full-time teaching experience with exceptional children or as a school psychologist
- Master's degree or Rank 2 from an accredited institution
- 3.0 GPA or above on all graduate coursework
- Reference from supervisor
-
Resume and cover letter
School Principal (KP1 and KP2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate that also includes either KDP1 and KDP2 (DPP Level 1 and 2), KDS1 and KDS2 (DOSE Level 1 and 2), or ILV1 and ILV2 (SOI Level 1 and 2)
- Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Reference from supervisor
- Resume and cover letter
Supervisor of Instruction (ILV1 and ILV2)
- Current, valid teaching certificate
- Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience that also includes either KDP1 and KDP2 (DPP Level 1 and 2), KDS1 and KDS2 (DOSE Level 1 and 2), or KP1 and KP2 (Principal Level 1 and 2).
- Master's degree or Rank 2 from an accredited institution
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on all graduate work
- Reference from supervisor
- Resume and cover letter
Program Requirements
The Certification-Only Educational Leadership and Administration program requirements are specific to the concentration selected (concentration codes shown in parentheses below). The 30-hour pathways (24-hour Level 1 and 6-hour Level 2) are for students who have not previously earned a Level 1 and 2 endorsement in educational administration. A minimum of 30 semester hours is required; at least 15 hours must be WKU credit. Students must have previously completed a master's degree program, which would qualify them for Rank II salary classification. Students not completing a master's degree program may enroll in 0499, the MAE in Instructional Leadership for principal certification.
Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Endorsement (KDP1 and KDP2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Requirements (24 hours) | ||
| EDAD 602 | Introduction to School Leadership | 3 |
| EDAD 603 | School Law and Policy | 3 |
| EDAD 604 | Creating a Culture of Achievement | 3 |
| EDAD 608 | Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes | 3 |
| EDAD 631 | Leading Learning | 6 |
| EDAD 583 | Accounting for Pupil Personnel | 3 |
| EDAD 686 | District-level Supervision | 3 |
| Level 2 Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDFN 576 | Issues and Trends in Education | 3 |
| EDFN 613 | Action Research in Education Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Director of Special Education, Endorsement (KDS1 and KDS2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (24 hours) | ||
| EDAD 602 | Introduction to School Leadership | 3 |
| EDAD 604 | Creating a Culture of Achievement | 3 |
| EDAD 608 | Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes | 3 |
| SPED 518 | Seminar: Contemporary Challenges in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED/EDAD 612 | Collaboration between Schools and Stakeholders for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 625 | Practicum in the Administration of Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 630 | Special Education Law and Finance | 3 |
| EDAD 686 | District-level Supervision | 3 |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDFN 576 | Issues and Trends in Education | 3 |
| EDFN 613 | Action Research in Education Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
School Principal, Endorsement (KP1 and KP2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (24 hours) | ||
| EDAD 602 | Introduction to School Leadership | 3 |
| EDAD 603 | School Law and Policy | 3 |
| EDAD 604 | Creating a Culture of Achievement | 3 |
| EDAD 608 | Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes | 3 |
| EDAD 631 | Leading Learning | 6 |
| EDAD 632 | Collaborative Approaches to School Improvement | 6 |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDAD 597 | Problems in Educational Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| EDAD 610 | Clinical Experiences in Educational Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Supervisor of Instruction, Endorsement (ILV1 and ILV2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (24 hours) | ||
| EDAD 594 | Leading Innovative Educational Programs | 3 |
| EDAD 602 | Introduction to School Leadership | 3 |
| EDAD 603 | School Law and Policy | 3 |
| EDAD 604 | Creating a Culture of Achievement | 3 |
| EDAD 608 | Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes | 3 |
| EDAD 631 | Leading Learning | 6 |
| EDAD 686 | District-level Supervision | 3 |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDFN 576 | Issues and Trends in Education | 3 |
| EDAD 683 | Leadership for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The following pathways are for students who have previously earned a Level 1 and 2 endorsement in educational administration.
Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Endorsement (KDP1 and KDP2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDAD 583 | Accounting for Pupil Personnel | 3 |
| EDAD 686 | District-level Supervision | 3 |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDFN 576 | Issues and Trends in Education | 3 |
| EDFN 613 | Action Research in Education Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Director of Special Education, Endorsement (KDS1 and KDS2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (15 hours) | ||
| SPED 518 | Seminar: Contemporary Challenges in Special Education | 3 |
| SPED/EDAD 612 | Collaboration between Schools and Stakeholders for Individuals with Disabilities | 3 |
| SPED 625 | Practicum in the Administration of Special Education | 3 |
| SPED 630 | Special Education Law and Finance | 3 |
| EDAD 686 | District-level Supervision | 3 |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDFN 576 | Issues and Trends in Education | 3 |
| EDFN 613 | Action Research in Education Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
School Principal, Endorsement (KP1 and KP2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (12 hours) | ||
| EDAD 603 | School Law and Policy | 3 |
| EDAD 608 | Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes | 3 |
| EDAD 632 | Collaborative Approaches to School Improvement | 6 |
| or EDAD 631 | Leading Learning | |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDAD 597 | Problems in Educational Administration and Supervision | 3 |
| EDAD 610 | Clinical Experiences in Educational Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Superintendent, Endorsement (KST)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EDAD 639 | The Superintendency | 3 |
| EDAD 649 | School System Administration | 3 |
| EDAD 507 | Educational Leadership Policies and Politics | 3 |
| EDAD 598 | Field-Based Experience in Educational Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
Supervisor of Instruction, Endorsement (ILV1 and ILV2)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level I Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDAD 594 | Leading Innovative Educational Programs | 3 |
| EDAD 686 | District-level Supervision | 3 |
| Level II Requirements (6 hours) | ||
| EDFN 576 | Issues and Trends in Education | 3 |
| EDFN 613 | Action Research in Education Administration | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |