The online Graduate Certificate in District Leadership at the University of Kansas prepares students to be PK-12 school district-level leaders and is designed to accommodate working educators. Taught by full-time faculty who are experts in their field, the program stresses fundamental knowledge in instructional and community leadership, operations, and educational policy development necessary for school district-level leadership positions. Graduates of this certificate fulfill the academic requirements necessary for Kansas state licensure endorsement in school district-level administration. We recommend that out-of-state candidates review their state certification requirements prior to applying.
Courses are delivered online with class connections through Zoom once a week throughout the semester. The program is designed specifically for working practitioners in the field, with rich projects, collaborative opportunities, and progressive assignments applicable to licensure and district leadership.
The online Graduate Certification in District Leadership at the University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences consists of 33 credit hours of coursework, including an extensive field-based practicum with mentorship and a comprehensive digital portfolio as a culminating project.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Applicants must meet both the University and departmental admission requirements to be considered for the program.
University of Kansas Graduate Admission Requirements
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Graduate Certificate in District Leadership Application Requirements
The licensure-only route in the School of Education and Human Sciences at KU is designed for individuals who have completed a master’s and/or doctorate in educational administration/leadership and are now considering being licensed as a district level administrator.
To be admitted, you must have:
- A current teaching license (with 3-5 of years' experience in schools)
- Currently hold a master's or above degree from an accredited program in an educational administration/leadership
If you meet these requirements, you will also need to submit:
- A completed graduate application.
- Application fee.
- Official transcripts of all degree-granting post-secondary institutions you have attended and an official transcript for each degree earned.
- One letter of recommendation from a current supervisor.
- Applicants are welcome to submit additional letters of recommendation, but this is optional.
- Recommendations are collected via the online application system, and references will receive an email link with instructions to complete a letter of recommendation and survey.
- Personal statement showing a clear understanding of how the degree will fit into the applicant's career plans.
- Current resume or CV.
Upon successful completion of the program and successful passing of a required Kansas state district leadership licensure exam, students will be eligible to add the district leadership endorsement to their license. It is highly recommended that students pursuing this program from outside of Kansas seek guidance prior to applying from the appropriate licensing agency before beginning an academic program to ensure they know what is needed to obtain the license/certification/registration in the state in which they intend to practice and/or seek licensure. Please see our Licensure Disclosures page for more information.
Students are required to complete the following 33 credit hours to earn the certificate.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| ELPS 948 | Research in Education Policy and Leadership | 3 |
| ELPS 949 | Educational Policy and Politics | 3 |
| ELPS 951 | Supervision of Instruction | 3 |
| ELPS 953 | District Human Resource Management | 3 |
| ELPS 954 | Sociology of Educational Organizations | 3 |
| ELPS 955 | District Business Management | 3 |
| ELPS 956 | District Leadership | 3 |
| ELPS 957 | Educational Policy, Ethics and Law | 3 |
| ELPS 960 | Leading Diverse Communities | 3 |
| ELPS 995 | Field Experience in: | 3 |
| C&T 903 | Curriculum Supervision | 3 |
| Total Hours | 33 |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and social- emotional well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to collaboratively lead, design, and implement a school mission, vision, and process for continuous improvement that reflects a core set of values and priorities that include change process, data use, technology, equity, diversity, digital citizenship, and community.
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and social- emotional well-being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to understand and demonstrate the capacity to advocate for ethical decisions and cultivate and enact professional norms.
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote and advocate for the social emotional well- being of each student and adult and promote the current and future success of each student and adult, by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to develop and maintain a supportive, equitable, culturally responsive, and inclusive district culture.
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well- being of each student and adult by adapting and applying emerging the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to evaluate, develop, and implement coherent instructional leadership including: leading change; curriculum; instruction; assessments; support systems; technology integration; and data systems throughout the district.
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well- being of each student and adult by applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to understand and engage, communicate, and intentionally collaborate with families, communities, and other constituents in the work of schools and the district and to advocate for district, student, and community needs.
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the current and future success and well- being of each student and adult by adapting and applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to lead change, improve management, communication, technology, school-level governance, and operation systems to develop and improve data- informed and equitable school resource plans and to apply laws, policies, and regulations.
- understand and demonstrate the capacity to promote the present and future success and well- being of students and district personnel by adapting and applying the knowledge, skills, and commitments necessary to cultivate relationships; lead district transformation, collaborative decision making, and governance; and, represent and advocate for district needs in broader policy conversations.
