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State of Michigan K–12 School Administrator Certification
- Post-Master's K–12 Basic Administrator Certificate
- Central Office/Superintendent Endorsement Certificate (Available at EMU–Livonia only)
The State of Michigan K–12 school administrator certification is a state-supported, post-master’s professional development option for prospective and current educators who seek enhanced training in school and/or district leadership, management and instruction. This credential, reinstated by legislative approval in January 2007, coincides with an ongoing process of Michigan state certification available through designated postsecondary institutions (including Eastern Michigan University) for the basic (initial) certificate in K–12 administration (school/assistant principal licensure). The central office/superintendent endorsement requires the successful completion of the basic (initial) school principal certificate.
Please Note: The basic certificate in K–12 administration can also be earned as part of the master’s or specialist degree program in educational leadership at EMU. The district level leadership endorsement may be earned as part of the specialist degree program in educational leadership at EMU.
Career Opportunities
The State of Michigan K–12 school administrator certification interfaces with EMU’s master's and specialist degree programs in educational leadership, which are designed to prepare graduates for entry-level school and district administrative positions. The coursework provides opportunities for students to fulfill requirements for required state-endorsed credentialing for basic K–12 administrative certification or central office/superintendent endorsement. Local school boards may continue to hire a principal, superintendent or anyone in an administrative position, with the exception of special education administrators, without certification. However, they will be required to earn administrative certification in a State-approved program within three years of the initial employment.
Accreditation
The EMU College of Education is accredited by Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Educational Leadership Constituent Council approved by the Michigan Department of Education preparation of educational administrators.
Number of Credits
State of Michigan Basic (Initial) K–12 Administrative Certificate:
- 18 credit hours (minimum) of required EMU educational leadership courses (with an approved master’s degree) to be determined with the program advisor.
- A two-credit internship is also required if a candidate has not served in an official principal/assistant principal capacity
Central Office/Superintendent Endorsement
- 21 credit hours (minimum) of required EMU educational leadership specialist program courses (with an approved master’s degree) along with the basic (initial) certificate in K–12 administration (principal/assistant principal licensure) to be determined with the program advisor.
Program of Study
Courses must have program advisor approval prior to the beginning of the program.
State of Michigan Basic (Initial) K–12 Administrative Certificate
Minimum 18 credit hours from the following list.
- EDLD 509 Educational Leadership in a Pluralistic Society (3)
- EDLD 513 Community Education and Community Relations (3)
- EDLD 514 Organization and Administration of K–12 Schools (3)
- EDLD 515 Instructional Leadership (3)
- EDLD 517 Leadership for School Improvement (3)
- EDLD 612 Economics of Public Education (3)
- EDLD 617 Adm. Human Resources (3)
- EDLD 620 The Principalship (3)
- EDLD 630 Legal, Ethical and Prof. Issues in School Adm. (3)
- EDLD 687 The Administrative Internship (2) (A two-credit hour internship is required in addition to the 18 hours of coursework if the student has not served in an official assistant principal/principalship role.)
Central Office/Superintendent Endorsement
Minimum 21 credit hours from the following:
- EDLD 740 Organizational Theory (3) (Required)
- EDLD 714 Data-Based Decision Management (3)
- EDLD 710 Educational Leadership and the Change Process (3) (Required)
- EDLD 660 Grant Writing (2)
- EDLD 631 Human Relation Skill for Administrators (3)
- EDLD 625 Superintendency and District-Level Leadership (3) (Required)
- EDLD 616 Educational Facilities Planning (3)
- EDLD 615 Collective Negotiations (3)
- EDLD 609 Team Building and Consensus Decision Making (3)
- Select 800 level EDLD doctoral courses.
- EDLD 787-789 The Administrative Internship (2–4) (Required unless candidate has served in central office administration.)
For More Information
Jaclynn Tracy, Ph.D., Department Head
Eastern Michigan University
Department of Leadership and Counseling
304 Porter Building
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734.487.0255 | jtracy@emich.edu
Visit the Department of Leadership and Counseling Web site.
Read more information by downloading the fact sheet [PDF].