This 30-semester-hour program of advanced study in educational administration is designed to prepare candidates for school district superintendent level positions. The program includes a total of 24 credit hours of course work (eight courses) and a 6-credit-hour internship that provides for a yearlong district leader preparation experience. Students earn their superintendent endorsement upon successfully completing the program and fulfilling all state requirements. The goal for the Superintendent Preparation Program is to prepare visionary leaders with the skills and knowledge to effectively implement and manage an educational environment that utilizes evidence of student learning to drive continuous school improvement.
Check departmental information for additional requirements.
The State of Illinois requires admission to the Ed.S. Superintendent Preparation program to proceed in two stages. Conditional admission is the first stage and occurs before the applicant’s first semester of classes. To be considered for conditional admission, applicants must:
Hold a current and valid ISBE administrative endorsement
Be employed in a school district administrative position
Have a prior minimum graduate-level GPA of 3.50
And submit the following documents:
Official transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
Personal goal statement
Resumé/CV
The program admissions committee will review the materials and notify the applicant of their conditional acceptance status before their first semester begins.
During their first semester, conditionally-accepted applicants to the Ed.S. Superintendent Preparation program must enroll in and complete LEEA 700 and LEEA 710. The preparation of an admission portfolio, a response to a written scenario, and an interview with two NIU faculty members will take place during this semester as well.
Formal admission is the second stage and occurs after the applicant’s first semester of classes is complete. To be considered for formal admission, applicants must:
Complete LEEA 700 and LEEA 710 with a grade of B- or higher.
Submit an admission portfolio that demonstrates evidence of achievement in the following categories:
support for all students achieving high standards of learning
use of data to improve learning
building leadership
oral and written communication skills
ability to collect and analyze data for student improvement
respect for family and community
interpersonal skills.
Successfully complete a written response to a scenario
Be selected for admission through an in-person interview by at least two full-time NIU faculty members.
And submit the following documents:
A letter of recommendation from the superintendent where the applicant is currently employed.
A previous performance evaluation and/or two letters of recommendation from current/former supervisors demonstrating the applicant’s:
support for all students achieving high standards of learning
analysis of classroom or school learning data
work with families and/or community groups
analytical abilities
involvement with school committees on curriculum development, student assessment, and other initiatives
A valid and current Illinois professional educator license endorsed in general administrative, principal, chief school business official, or director of special education.
The program admissions committee will review the materials and notify the applicant of their formal acceptance status after their first semester concludes.
Students taking courses in the Ed.S. Superintendent Preparation program with “at large”status must complete the NIU Graduate School’s application procedures, and the program’s conditional and formal application requirements, to be considered for the Ed.S. degree.
Any applicant who is denied admission may submit an appeal to be reviewed by the program admissions committee and the faculty. Appeals must be in writing, explain the basis for the appeal, and include information not previously submitted.
Requirements
The Ed.S. in Educational Administration Superintendent Preparation degree requires the successful completion of 8 courses (to be completed online or when offered, in person), an internship sequence, and any state-mandated tests . The internship sequence provides for a year-long district leader preparation experience. The internship requirement will be fulfilled with successful completion of LEEA 786A, LEEA 786B, and LEEA 786C. Passing the state content test for superintendents is necessary for students to receive their Ed.S. degree and Superintendent endorsement through the Illinois State Board of Education.
Requirements for the Ed.S. in Educational Administration include:
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