Michigan Department of
Education (MDE) K-12 School Administrator Certification
In January 2010, the
revised Michigan School Code was amended to add section 1536 of 1976 PA 451,
MCL 380.1536 to require administrator certification, as well as offer alternative
pathways to earn administrator certification for school principals and central
office administrators. Public Hearings were held around the state to receive
public comment regarding the Administrator Certification Code administrative
rules. (http://www.michigan.gov)
In the section below
you will find information for the following:
- How to obtain initial K-12 Administrative
Certification
- How to obtain Central
Office Administrative Certification
- How to apply for your
Michigan Department of Education Administrative Certification
Application for the State
of Michigan Basic (Initial) K-12 Administrative Certificate with requires:
- A master’s degree or
higher
- Completion of an
approved program in school administration (master’s level or higher) that
consists of 18 credit hours (minimum).
Central Michigan
University Pathways to Administrator Certification
: Master
of Arts (MA) in School Principalship (Online Degree Program)
Central Michigan
University’s state-approved program consists of 18 credit hours of educational
leadership courses to be determined with a department advisor. If a candidate
has not served in an official principal/assistant principal capacity, a three
credit internship is also required.
Application and Registration – Students pursuing the MA in School Principalship should submit
appropriate application materials to CMU’s Global Campus. Learn more about the degree program and how
to apply at the following link: http://global.cmich.edu/programs/degrees.aspx?dc=MA-SP. You
may select an emphasis area in either Site-based Administration or Charter
Schools Administration. Either emphasis
area will lead to the Michigan Department of Education Administrator
Certification. Upon admission to the program, students will be assigned to a
department faculty advisor who will guide them through the academic program.
: Master’s
+ 18 Educational Leadership credits
Educators who hold a
recent master’s degree in a related education field may complete a MINIMUM of 18 credits in Educational Leadership
studies at Central Michigan University and, upon successful completion of
coursework, apply for administrator certification. Students interested in pursuing this pathway
should contact the Department of Educational Leadership (EDL) at 989-774-2489
and ask to speak to an advisor for the Michigan Department of Education
administrator certificate program. An
advisor will need to review your transcript from your previous master’s degree
and align your coursework to our MDE approved school principalship program. You
will be required to take a minimum of 18 EDL credits or more depending on your
previous coursework.
Application and Registration – Students pursuing the Master’s +
18 Educational Leadership credits apply for graduate admission to Central Michigan
University’s Global Campus as a non-degree-seeking student at the following
link: http://global.cmich.edu/programs/degrees.aspx?dc=MA-SP. Upon admission to the program, students will
be assigned to a department faculty advisor who will guide them through the
academic program.
Application for the State
of Michigan Central Office/Superintendent Administrative Certificate requires:
- A master’s degree or
higher
- Completion of at least
21 hours of credit at the post-master’s degree level in courses of advanced
studies in K-12 school administration.
Central Michigan
University Pathways to Central Office Certification
:
Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in Educational Leadership
Central Michigan
University’s Specialist in Education program consists of 21 credit hours of
educational leadership courses with an emphasis on K-12 administration and instructional
leadership.
Application
and Registration – Students pursuing the Ed.S. in Educational Leadership
should submit appropriate application materials to CMU’s College of Graduate
Studies for on-campus courses or CMU’s Global Campus http://global.cmich.edu/eds/Default.aspx?dc=EDS for off-campus courses. Upon admission to the program, students will
be assigned to a department faculty advisor who will guide them through the
academic program.
:
Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership
Central Michigan
University’s Doctorate in Educational Leadership program consists of 63 credit
hours of educational leadership courses delivered in a cohort format. Up to 27
credits from an earned Ed.S. degree may transfer into the Ed.D. program.
Application and Registration – Students pursuing the Ed.D. in Educational
Leadership should submit appropriate application materials to the College of
Graduate Studies at https://www.cmich.edu/academics/graduate_studies/Pages/default.aspx . Upon admission to the program,
students will be assigned to a department faculty advisor who will guide them
through the academic program. It is recommended that prospective doctoral
students call the Educational Leadership Department (EDL) at 989-774-2489 and
ask to speak to the Doctoral Program Advisor for additional information and
timelines.
: Master’s
+ 21 Educational Leadership credits
Educators who hold a
recent master’s degree in a related education field may complete 21 credits in
Educational Leadership studies at Central Michigan University and, upon
successful completion of coursework, apply for administrator certification,
apply for Central Office Endorsement.
Application and Registration – Students pursuing the Master’s +
21 Educational Leadership credits apply for graduate admission to Central
Michigan University as a non-degree-seeking student here https://www.cmich.edu/academics/graduate_studies/Pages/default.aspx. Upon admission to the program, students
will be assigned to a department faculty advisor who will guide them through
the academic program.
K-12 Administrative
Certificate: Coursework is compiled from the following list. Course enrollment
should not begin prior to approval of department faculty advisor.
EDL 600 Research for
Educational Leadership
EDL 615 Educational
Technology for Administrators
EDL 620 Administration
within Diverse Populations
EDL 645 Charter School
Leadership
EDL 651 Program Review
and Evaluation
EDL 656 Public School
Law
EDL 660 Principles in
Educational Administration
EDL 661 School and
Community Relations
EDL 662 School
Business Administration and Facilities Management
EDL 663 Human
Resources Administration
EDL 670 School Site
Administration
EDL 675/SPE 640
Administration of Special Education
EDL 690 Administration
of School Curriculum
EDL 698 Master’s
Colloquium
EDL 699 Leadership
Internship
EDL 773 Instructional
Supervision for Educational Leader
Central
Office/Superintendent Endorsement: Coursework is compiled from the following
list. Course enrollment should not begin prior to approval of department
faculty advisor.
EDL 651 Program Review
and Evaluation
EDL 661 School and
Community Relations
EDL 675/SPE 640
Administration of Special Education
EDL 699 Leadership
Internship
EDL 745 Administration
of the School District
EDL 760 Leadership
Theory and Practice
EDL 766 Advanced
Educational Law
EDL 770 Advanced
Administration of Elementary Schools
EDL 773 Instructional
Supervision for Educational Leader
EDL 775 Educational
Policy Analysis
EDL 797 Field Study
Once you have
completed your coursework you are qualified to apply for a Michigan School
Administrator Certificate. Please go to
the Michigan Online Educator Certification System (MOECS) to submit your
application: https://mdoe.state.mi.us/MOECS/Login.aspx