School Administrator Certificate: Central Office Endorsement
New: Potential course credits now available via Prior Learning Assessments (PLA). Learn more.
The Michigan Department of Education requires all school administrators to hold a valid School Administrator Certificate, and many school districts require their central office leaders to also have a Central Office Endorsement. Students can obtain the Central Office endorsement by completing WMU’s Ed.S. or Ph.D. in Educational Leadership: K-12 Leadership concentration.
However, not all students want to obtain an additional graduate degree. Instead, they can obtain the Central Office endorsement by completing at least 21 credits post-MA (with such credits approved by the Michigan Department of Education). All required courses are offered fully online.
REQUIRED COURSES
EDLD 6060 – Organizational Change for Complex Systems (3 cr.)
EDLD 6630 – Adaptive Personnel Practices (3 cr.)
EDLD 6720 – District Finance and Operations (3 cr.)
EDLD 6800 – District Governance and Community Relations (3 cr.)
EDLD 6810 – Law, Policy and Ethics (3 cr.)
EDLD 6850 – District Instructional Leadership and Assessment (3 cr.)
EDLD 7120 – Professional Field Experience (3 cr.)
Questions about the Central Office Endorsement to the School Administrator Certificate? Contact Dr. Wayne "Rusty" Stitt
ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Admission decisions take approximately two weeks after all materials are received.
Note: To complete many course assignments, and to have a mentor for an administrator internship, applicants must be employed within a K-12 setting OR have access to a school district setting.
To apply for this central office certificate, prospective students should apply within the WMU online application system. Below is a list of the items that will need to be included in the application.
- A resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required and must be submitted within the online application system.
- Written statement. A statement which covers the following information in a two-page, typed, double-spaced document. Present your rationale and fit for pursuing the certificate. Please note that this statement is also viewed as a writing sample.
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