PURPOSE
This program is designed to satisfy the needs of those who wish to serve and be certified as school principals. The sequence prescribed fulfills the educational requirement for certification in Nebraska as an elementary or secondary principal. Additional requirements that must be met prior to certification in the State of Nebraska can be found on the Nebraska Department of Education Teacher Certification website.
Candidates seeking certification in states other than Nebraska should check with the Department of Education in the state in which they plan to obtain certification in order to determine specific certification requirements of that state.
OBJECTIVES
Graduate students who complete an emphasis in elementary or secondary administration will be able to demonstrate:
- A more complete understanding of the school curriculum
- Advanced understanding of the principles and techniques of school organization, management and leadership;
- Advanced understanding of the duties and responsibilities of supervising instruction;
- Functional familiarity with various processes of educational administration, including political and fiscal management;
- Understanding, appreciation and performance of the ethics of administering educational systems;
- Competence and understanding in utilizing school law; and
- Competence in performance as a school administrator, through effective communication, proficient use of group process, appropriate evaluation and staff development.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Core Requirements --- 15 Hours
EDUC 501 Contemporary Thought in Education 3
EDUC 595 Research Design 3
PSY 511 Psychological Foundations of Teaching and Learning 3
SOC/THEO 565 Serving and Leading in Community and World 3
EDUC 599 Independent study – Project completion 3
Administration Requirements --- 21 Hours
EDUC 551 Curriculum Design 3
EDUC 552 Processes in Elementary and Secondary School Administration 3
EDUC 553 Administration of School Relations and Finance 3
EDUC 554 Supervision of Elem and Sec School Instruction 3
EDUC 557 School Law 3
EDUC 581a/b Practicum in Elementary and/or Secondary School Administration and Supervision, pt. 1 3
EDUC 582a/b Practicum in Elementary and/or Secondary School Administration and Supervision, pt. 2 3
Total Hours: 36
Dual Certification - Additional Requirement
If an individual is seeking certification at a level other than the level at which they hold their teacher certification, an additional 9 hours must be completed if the students undergraduate program did not include preparation in that area. The additional hours must address the level (elementary or secondary) that is being added. The additional 9 credits must be approved by the program director. Practicum hours in EDUC 581 & 582 must be split between the elementary & secondary levels.
Certification Endorsement Requirements
In the State of Nebraska, an endorsement shall require 36 or 45 graduate semester hours of credit in an approved program in educational administration. Thirty-six graduate semester hours are required if the principal endorsement is at the same level as the teaching endorsement. Those seeking a principal endorsement at a level different from their teaching endorsement must complete a minimum of nine additional credit hours. See additional requirements above. Course requirements for an endorsement without a Master’s degree are the same as for a Master’s degree. However, instead of EDUC 599 students may take a graduate level, grade-appropriate course in Education, Psychology or related subject area as approved by the program director.
