Graduate Catalog 2026-2027

Educational Leadership and Administration, Rank 1 (0121)


Program Coordinator

Nicholas L. Brake, nicholas.brake@wku.edu, (270) 745-3062

The Educational Leadership and Administration, Rank I program is specific to the selected concentration (concentration codes are shown in parentheses below). The 30-hour programs align with Kentucky EPSB requirements and may not be recognized by other states. 

Director of Pupil Personnel Services (KDP1 and KDP2)

This concentration leads to eligibility for administrative certification as a Level 1 and 2 Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) and a Rank I. 

Director of Special Education (KDS1 and KDS2)

This concentration leads to eligibility for administrative certification as a Level 1 and 2 Director of Special Education (DOSE) and a Rank I.

Supervisor of Instruction (ILV1 and ILV2)

This concentration leads to eligibility for administrative certification as a Level 1 and 2 Supervisor of Instruction (SOI) and a Rank I.

School Principal (KP1 and KP2)

This concentration leads to eligibility for administrative certification as a Level 1 and 2 Principal and a Rank I. 

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Educational Leadership and Administration, Rank I program is specific to the selected concentration (concentration codes shown in parentheses below). 

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

  • 3.0 GPA or above for all graduate coursework

  • 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

  • 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

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

Advanced Certifications (ILV1, ILV2, KDP1, KDP2, Superintendent)

  • Current, valid teaching certificate that includes KP1 and KP2 (Principal Level 1 and Level 2)
  • Three years of full-time appropriate teaching experience and two years' experience as a school administrator

  • 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

  • Portfolio

Program Requirements (30 hours)

Program requirements for the Educational Leadership and Administration, Rank I program are specific to the concentration selected (concentration codes shown in parentheses below). 

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 for Rank II salary classification.

Completing this program may not be counted by states other than Kentucky in determining pay status.  The Director of Pupil Personnel Services position is unique to Kentucky, and Kentucky's manifestation is not found in other places. Other states may seek a counseling or social work background for student services, not a Director of Pupil Personnel Services with attendance duties as in Kentucky.

Director of Pupil Personnel (KDP1 and KDP2)

Required Courses
LEVEL 1
EDAD 602Introduction to School Leadership3
EDAD 603School Law and Policy3
EDAD 604Creating a Culture of Achievement3
EDAD 608Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes3
EDAD 583Accounting for Pupil Personnel3
EDAD 632Collaborative Approaches to School Improvement6
EDAD 686District-level Supervision3
LEVEL 2
EDFN 576Issues and Trends in Education3
EDFN 613Action Research in Education Administration3
Total Hours30

Director of Special Education (KDS1 and KDS2)

Required Courses
LEVEL 1
EDAD 602Introduction to School Leadership3
EDAD 604Creating a Culture of Achievement3
EDAD 608Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes3
SPED 518Seminar: Contemporary Challenges in Special Education3
EDAD 686District-level Supervision3
SPED 612Collaboration between Schools and Stakeholders for Individuals with Disabilities3
SPED/EDAD 630Special Education Law and Finance3
SPED 625Practicum in the Administration of Special Education3
LEVEL 2
EDFN 576Issues and Trends in Education3
EDFN 613Action Research in Education Administration3
Total Hours30

School Principal (KP1 and KP2)

Required Courses
LEVEL 1
EDAD 602Introduction to School Leadership3
EDAD 603School Law and Policy3
EDAD 604Creating a Culture of Achievement3
EDAD 608Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes3
EDAD 631Leading Learning6
EDAD 632Collaborative Approaches to School Improvement6
LEVEL 2
EDAD 597Problems in Educational Administration and Supervision3
EDAD 610Clinical Experiences in Educational Administration3
Total Hours30

Supervisor of Instruction (ILV1 and ILV2)

Required Courses
LEVEL 1
EDAD 602Introduction to School Leadership3
EDAD 603School Law and Policy3
EDAD 604Creating a Culture of Achievement3
EDAD 608Resource Management for Equitable Outcomes3
EDAD 631Leading Learning6
EDAD 686District-level Supervision3
EDAD 594Leading Innovative Educational Programs3
LEVEL 2
EDFN 576Issues and Trends in Education3
EDFN 613Action Research in Education Administration3
Total Hours30

Advanced Certifications (ILV1 and ILV2, KDP1 and KDP2, and Superintendent)

Required Courses
SOI LEVEL 1
EDAD 594Leading Innovative Educational Programs3
EDAD 686District-level Supervision EDAD 686 counts toward DPP and SOI endorsements3
DPP LEVEL 1
EDAD 583Accounting for Pupil Personnel3
EDAD 612Collaboration between Schools and Stakeholders for Individuals with Disabilities3
or EDAD 630 Special Education Law and Finance
SOI AND DPP LEVEL 2
EDFN 576Issues and Trends in Education3
EDFN 613Action Research in Education Administration3
Superintendent
EDAD 598Field-Based Experience in Educational Administration3
EDAD 507Educational Leadership Policies and Politics (Superintendent)3
EDAD 639The Superintendency3
EDAD 649School System Administration3
Total Hours30