Start your journey
We specialize in visionary district-level leadership.
The Superintendent Licensure program meets all requirements of MN Administrative Rule 3512 and is fully approved by the Minnesota Board of School Administrators. Most students are practicing principals or other school leaders ready to move into district-level leadership.
You will build expertise in school finance, board governance, human resources, and community relations — the core competencies of the superintendency. The program includes a 320-hour field experience in a central office setting, giving you direct exposure to the work before you step into the role.
Many of our students complete principal licensure first and return for superintendent licensure as their next career step. The two programs share substantial coursework, so returning students often complete superintendent licensure efficiently.
Courses are offered evenings and summers through off-campus cohorts, or online for students outside the seven-county Twin Cities metro area.
Maximize your credits
Our programs are built to be flexible. While completing superintendent licensure, you can apply credits to multiple programs to simultaneously earn a M.Ed. in educational leadership, additional administrative licensure, or even a Ph.D. in education policy and leadership in a fraction of the time and cost of completing these programs separately.
Minnesota requires 60 credits beyond your bachelor's degree for administrative licensure. Our program is built so those credits can work harder for you. Most students who pursue the M.Ed. alongside their superintendent licensure complete both within the same 60-credit program.
Contact us to map out a plan that fits your goals.
Careers
Graduates of this program are eligible for licensure as superintendents in Minnesota public school districts. Common roles include district superintendent, assistant superintendent, and central office director.
Application deadlines
Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and may be submitted at any time.
- Applications are not complete until all required materials and fees have been received. If anything is missing, your application may not be considered.
- Applications are processed by the Graduate School. A decision for admission notice will be emailed to you once your application is carefully reviewed by the department's admission committee and your transcripts and any credentials (test reports, diploma copies, etc.) are authenticated by Graduate School officials.
Degree: Bachelor's degree
GPA: 3.0 undergraduate (preferred)
GRE: Do not submit GRE scores, as they will not be considered in the review process.
TOEFL/IELTS Scores (Not required for U.S. students):
- TOEFL: Internet based = 79 or above (21 writing/19 reading)
- IELTS = 6.5
- Refer to this page for all English language proficiency requirements.
This program is called "PK-12 Administration Postbaccalaureate Certificate" in the University application system.
Please note: All certificate program admissions will be processed by the Graduate School. There is a non-refundable $75.00 application fee that is paid upon submitting the application.
- Secure unofficial transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate studies (if you have degree(s) from the University of Minnesota your transcripts will be automatically attached to your application). Transcripts may be gathered electronically or may be scanned as PDFs for uploading.
- Complete a short leadership essay: 1-2 pages, double spaced, on a current topic of education that you want to significantly impact as a licensed administrator.
- Prepare a current resume/CV.
- Visit https://choose.umn.edu/apply to create an application for graduate studies.
- If this is your first application, select “Create an account.” Complete all fields and be sure to save your password.
- If you have an application in process or are beginning a second application for a different program, select “Log In" and enter your credentials. Note: each program needs a separate application.
- Complete application sections as noted below:
- PROGRAM SELECTION: In the online application, where it states "Narrow your program options," choose "Education and Human Development" to "Filter by college/school," and then select "K-12 Administrative Licensure (Certificate)" in the drop-down menu beneath "College of Education and Human Development Programs."
- TERM SELECTION: Choose your proposed term of entry.
- BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION: Complete all fields.
- PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Complete all fields.
- ACADEMIC HISTORY (transcripts): Select "add institution" and follow directions in the pop-up; upload your transcripts for each institution as directed in the pop-up.
- TEST SCORES: skip.
- ADMINISTRATIVE LICENSURE:
First, select how you plan to attend the Administrative Licensure Program (if you select " As part of an In-Person cohort group located off-campus," a pop up will appear for you to enter the name of the cohort); then, select the desired licensure program. - EMPLOYMENT: skip.
- MATERIALS:
Personal Statement: Upload your completed Leadership Essay.
Diversity Statement: skip.
Extenuating Circumstances Statement: skip.
Resume/CV: Upload your current resume/CV.
Writing sample: skip.
Description of research: skip. - RECOMMENDATIONS: optional, not required.
- Sign, review, and pay the application fee as directed in the application portal.
Admission decisions are communicated to applicants online through the admissions system. A decision for admission notice will be available once your application is carefully reviewed by the department’s admission committee. You will receive an email prompting you to log into your application to view your admission decision once it is posted. You will also find a notification to complete the Enrollment Confirmation form at the bottom of your Application Status page. Your admission is not finalized until after you confirm your enrollment.
You must submit official transcripts from all of your previous schools before registering for your first term. The Graduate School will place a hold on your student record preventing registration in courses until official copies of all transcripts have been received. Transcripts must be sent by mail directly from your school to the University of Minnesota (most do this electronically):
Attention: Transcripts
Graduate School
University of Minnesota
309 Johnston Hall
101 Pleasant St SE
Minneapolis MN 55455-0421
Email: gsquest@umn.edu
Additional Requirements for International Applicants
International students who will have completed 16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota are exempt from the testing requirement but may be asked to take locally administered English tests after arrival on campus. Click here for more information about English language proficiency requirements.
Readmission
If a graduate student in an OLPD program has become inactive they must follow the readmission procedures. Whether you seek reactivation after accidentally being discontinued this term or want to return after a long absence these are the steps needed to re-apply.
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Complete the proper online readmission application.
If you have been away from the program less than five years use the Express Readmission Application and email it to olpd@umn.edu. All others must submit the Online Application for Readmission
- Once received, the department will forward your application to the appropriate admissions committee. Readmission decisions are normally determined by the program’s admissions committee, not any one individual faculty member. Readmission is never guaranteed. Decisions for readmission are based on a review of previous progress toward degree completion, the proposed timeline for completion, the availability of faculty resources, and/or any additional application materials they may request from you. Individual programs/tracks reserve the right to readmit students under the current graduate program requirements, rules, and guidelines. They may also request an applicant to provide additional information prior to making a decision.
- Once the committee makes their recommendation, the department’s DGS will sign off on the decision and forward the result to the central Graduate Admissions Office for processing. Once processed, you will be notified of the decision.
Individual department programs and tracks reserve the right to require readmitted students to retake coursework if they deem it appropriate. Readmitted students are also required to abide by current time-to-degree policies as determined by the University, which may difufer from the policy in place when they first started the degree program.
Individuals seeking readmission to the program tracks in the former EDPA, WHRE, and WCFE majors can only reapply to the appropriate program track under the Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD) major name.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Gary Prest, program director, at pres0004@umn.edu. If you have technical questions regarding the application system itself, please reach out to gsquest@umn.edu.
Tuition
Visit the University of Minnesota's One Stop tuition page for information on tuition and residency policies. This program follows the rates listed under "Post-baccalaureate tuition rates by college" > "College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)" > "Masters in Education and post-baccalaureate certificate programs."
Fees
If you are pursuing multiple administrative licenses you will pay an administrative licensure program fee of $550 for the first licensure program and $275 for subsequent licensure programs. Half of the $550 program fee ($275) is due at the time a student accepts enrollment for the first licensure program. For subsequent administrative licensure programs the $275 fee is due at the end of the administrative licensure program.
If you are pursuing a Ph.D. in addition to an administrative license, there is an administrative licensure program fee of $275 for each license sought. Applications to the doctoral and licensure programs are separate processes.
If accepted into an administrative licensure program, you will receive a welcome email indicating the option of paying the administrative licensure program fee via check or credit card. Please respond to the email with your preferred form of payment.
Review the Cost of Attendance page as well as information about student fees assessed by the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD).
If you have any questions please contact Julie Titchner, Licensure Program Associate, at titch003@umn.edu.
Financial aid
Financial aid eligibility for this program depends on how you are enrolled. Students pursuing administrative licensure concurrently with a master's degree (M.Ed.) are typically eligible for graduate financial aid. Students enrolled in licensure only — without a concurrent degree program — are generally not eligible for financial aid.
If you are pursuing or planning to pursue an M.Ed. alongside your licensure, visit One Stop for information on eligibility, required steps, and timelines. Contact us to discuss how concurrent enrollment works, and refer to the resources below:
University funding opportunities
Refer to the University of Minnesota Graduate School's funding page, specifically the page on fellowships for prospective / incoming students. Questions about University funding opportunities should be directed to the Graduate School —612.625.7579, or gsfellow@umn.edu
CEHD funding opportunities
Refer to CEHD funding opportunities.
Contact us
If you simply have a question and would like someone to reach back out with information, please complete our request information form. Your information will not be shared outside our department.
Coursework
The program consists of a minimum of 22 credits:
- OLPD 5322—Leaders in Superintendency and Central Office (3 cr)
- OLPD 5324—Strategic Financial Planning and Policy for Educational Leaders (3 cr)
- OLPD 5344—School Law (3 cr)
- OLPD 5348—Leaders of Human Resources Administration (3 cr)
- OLPD 5385—Licensure Seminar: Program Policies and Inclusionary Leadership (1 cr)
- OLPD 5376—Leading School Finance Elections (1 cr)
- OLPD 5386—Leadership Portfolio Seminar (1 cr)
- OLPD 5387—Leadership for Teaching and Learning (3 cr)
- OLPD 5384—Special Education Law for Leaders (1 cr)
- OLPD 5396—Field Experience in PK-12 Administration: Authentic Practice in Leadership (3 cr)
Additional requirements
- Possess or complete three years of teaching experience.
- Complete 320 hours of field experience.
Additional requirements
- Complete all coursework with a grade of S or C or better.
- Successfully present an electronic portfolio to a review panel made up of representatives from the University and licensed practitioners.
Pathway for those without a teaching license
Candidates who want to become licensed but do not have a teaching license must complete 1050 hours classroom experience, in addition to the requirements above. Your advisor will also direct you to courses that will enhance your knowledge and understanding of curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
Licensure without certificate
In some cases students may enroll in the non-certificate program. This option is available only with approval of an advisor, and only if the candidate is either 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.
Students who meet these requirements must complete a minimum of 6 credits through the University of Minnesota as well as other requirements determined after their advisor reviews their transcripts.
Contact
We’re here to help. Simply complete this form and our program coordinator will be in touch. Your information will not be shared outside of our department.